Rose Bampton

After a praiseworthy career as a mezzo-soprano, Rose Bampton made the transition to dramatic soprano, retaining much, if not all, of the plushness and warmth of her highly sympathetic voice. The step upward in 1937 came without a period of withdrawal, creating a situation that found her singing Amneris between two Aidas in the same season. Her tall, trim figure, expressive face, intelligence, and all-encompassing musicianship made her a valuable member of several opera companies, even if she was surpassed in many of her roles by certain other singers. Her Leonore in Toscanini'...