The Greatest Operatic Bass on record

Rosa Ponselle He had the greatest bass voice I ever heard. Nobody could even come close to that sound. It was like the lowest pedal on the pipe organ of a great cathedral a real basso profondo. He had everything vocally: a huge voice, excellent technique, and a top that could go way up into the baritone range. Now, he wasnt any kind of actor, but he was good for those robe parts the toga roles, things like that. From Cantabilesubito Jose Mardones, Spanish bass, 1869 1932 He was born in Fontecha (Alava) and began his musical life as a boy soprano at local choirs. He subsequently studied at the Conservatory of Madrid, but remained mainly a selftaught singer. In 1891 he appeared for the first time at the Teatro de la Opera in Buenos Aires and at the Opera de Rio de Janeiro. Until the end of the century he mostly sang in Spanish opera houses and Zarzuela theatres. From 1909 1910 and 1913 1916 he was engaged at the Boston Opera. In 1913 he was invited by Arturo Toscanini