Ponselle Carmela, actually C. Ponzillo, *7 June 1892 Schenectady (New York), †13 June 1977 New York, Italian-born singer (mezzo-soprano) based in the USA. In 1916–17, together with her sister Rosa, they performed as Ponzillo Sisters in cinemas and variétés theatres in New York. She sang on many opera stages in the USA (1923–28, 1930–35), mainly as a part of tours by American opera companies (e.g. Maurice Frank Opera Pittsburgh). In 1925–34, she cooperated with the Metropolitan Opera House, where she played, quite rarely, the roles of Amneris in Verdi’s Aida (her debut at that theatre), Laura in A. Ponchielli’s Gioconda (in 1932 with her sister Rosa as a partner) and sang the soprano role of Santuzza in P. Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana. After 1934, she performed mainly in concerts broadcast on American radio.
