The Great Singers

The Great Singers: From the Dawn of Opera to Caruso, Callas, and Pavarotti

by Henry Pleasants
Illustrated history of great singers, including Jenny Lind, Caruso, Flagstad, Sills, Callas and Pavarotti. Gives the reader a nice overview on many of the great singers, along with photographs and personal stories about them.

Deep In My Heart (1954)

Deep In My Heart (1954)
Starring Jose Ferrer, Merle Oberon, and Helen Traubel.
132 minutes; MGM Studios

A bio-pic of operetta composer Sigmund Romberg, this film shines from the presence of Wagnerian Soprano Helen Traubel, who steals the show as Romberg's lifelong friend. She sings five numbers; "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise", "Auf Wiedersehn", "You Will Remember Vienna", Stouthearted Men", and "Leg of Mutton". Wonderful to be able to see such a great operatic personality in a role that is more than a walk-on appearence. Here are video clips of two of her numbers. She is fantastic!

Here she is singing "Auf Wiedersehn" as Merle Oberon, Jose Ferrer, and Doe Avedon listen.

Singing "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" while Merle Oberon listens in raptures (as I do!).