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Rose Bampton Obituary
Bampton died Tuesday in the Philadelphia suburb of Bryn Mawr, said Mark Sullivan, parish administrator at St. David's Episcopal Church in nearby Wayne, where her family attended for years.
Bampton, who made her professional debut in 1929, appeared several times with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra and sang with such opera immortals as Lauritz Melchior, Helen Traubel, Rosa Ponselle, Jan Peerce and Ezio Pinza. She recorded with Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony, and a broadcast version of their "Fidelio" remains in print.
"I think I lived in the most wonderful period, really, of singing and other things," she once said.
Composer Arnold Schoenberg called her voice a "miracle," and she gained critical attention for her portrayal of the Wood Dove in his "Gurrelieder." Bampton also played the role of Kundry in Wagner's "Parsifal" at the Met, where she had made her debut in 1932.
She appeared in more popular settings, too, becoming a frequent guest on radio shows. On one, she did a humorous spoken-word dialogue with Humphrey Bogart.
After retiring from the opera stage in 1963, she taught at Juilliard and other schools.
Born in Ohio, Bampton began her career as a soprano, but later was pushed toward the lower mezzo-soprano range by her teachers after she suffered from laryngitis. She debuted at the Chautauqua Opera in 1929 as a mezzo in the role of Siebel in Gounod's "Faust."
The next year she moved to Philadelphia, where she sang with the Philadelphia Grand Opera and enrolled in the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music. Among her classmates were famed composers Gian Carlo Menotti, who died earlier this year, and Samuel Barber, who had Bampton premiere some of his works.
When she auditioned at the Met, she found her register - soprano or mezzo-soprano - again in question. After she sang, members of the panel laughed, she once recalled. "They said, 'We're laughing because we don't think that you are a mezzo. We're quite sure that you are going to be a soprano,"' she said.
Her husband, Wilfrid Pelletier, a Metropolitan Opera conductor and the first music director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, died in 1982.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
31 Entries
Susan Jones-McKenney
September 25, 2012
I was a student of Rose Bampton in the 1960's at Manhattan School of Music. I don't live in the NYC area, and it was only recently that I thought to look her up online and discovered the NY Times obituary that hinted at her long and productive life. She was in interesting person and I feel privileged to have known her.
Miriam Violeta Rondon Aleman
April 25, 2011
Rose bampton permanecerá en mi corazón por siempre...Mi gratitud hacia ella es imperecedera. gracias Maestra! Ella me conoció como Mrs Miriam Contreras as student, ahora mi nombre es Miriam Violeta Rondón Alemán, desde Caracas, Venezuela.
Miriam Violeta Rondón Alemán
April 24, 2011
...Ella fue mi amada e inolvidable Maestra en la Juilliard...Me enseñó tanto y aún la recuerdo tan vívidamente...gracias, Mrs Rose, siempre recordaré aquella navidad en su apartamento en N.Y. donde me invitó adornar su árbol de navidad, y tantas horas de ensayo en el Conservatorio y en? su casa, frente al maestro Pelletier....Gracias, de corazón, donde quiera que esté.... Fue un HONOR ser su alumna, confió en mí y llegó? a decirme, con esa sonrisa tan hermosa " I'm proud of you..."
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Sho-mei Pelletier
October 5, 2010
Hello! I am a GRAND-Niece of Maestro Wilfrid Pelletier and Aunt Rose Bampton. We found each other, LATE in life and communicated by letter shortly before Uncle Pelley's death and until Aunt Rose could no longer write herself. They BOTH were SO warm and loving, even though we found each other so late in our lives!!
I treasure all the Letters that Aunt Rose sent to me and the 1 or 2 letters Uncle Pelley sent himself, before his death. I played on the 1st Stand of the 2nd Violins in the Santa Fe Opera for 26 Summers and am currently an Associate - Principal Violinist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and a published Author with 3 Books about Music. "The Simple Dictionary for Classical Musicians", "Wacky Musical Instruments!", and "Funny Composers in Full Color and Black & White".
I will miss their Cheerfulness, Love, and Musical genius SO much!!
Ms. Sho-mei Pelletier - Associate-Principal Violin - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Adelinne;Paola Almanzar
November 24, 2008
I am a student of Mercedes. Rose Bampton was Mercedes' teacher.
Linda Nelson
October 26, 2007
Rose Bampton was my father's first cousin and a topic of conversation on many occasions. I had written to her shortly before her death and I hope she received the letter. It may have brought back some family memories. She was a marvelous talent. My sympathies go to her close friends and family. Since I am doing our family genealogy I would love to hear from family.
Dr. Mercedes Alicea
October 23, 2007
Re: Rose Bampton's Memorial
All persons who wish to attend Rose Bampton's Memorial, please confirm your attendance to my e-mail
[email protected]
Best,
Mercedes Alicea
Dr. Mercedes Alicea
October 23, 2007
Re: Memorial for
Dr. Rose E. Bampton-Pelletier.
All persons that have signed this Guest Book, her former students, her Family,and everybody that knew her; are invited to attend the Memorial. The place is the St. Paul's Chapel, Columbia Universtiy,(116th Street and Broadway entrance) in New York City. The date is November 15, 2007 from 4:00PM to 5:00PM
Best.
Mercedes Alicea (her student)
Gianni Zeno
October 20, 2007
I was a student of Conrad Thibault's at Manhattatn School of Music in the 60's. She was a great teacher and person. It was always a thrill to talk to her and to be in her presence.
Carolyn Zepf Hagner
October 18, 2007
It was my privilege to be studio accompanist to Rose Bampton for seven years at Manhattan School of Music. She was truly a great woman, artist, musician, and teacher. She loved all of her students and will be very pleased at the memorial concert that Mercedes Alicea has arranged at St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University. In reading messages from family, I distinctly recall her laughing about the young grandchild deciding that she should be called “Gramp Rose.” Her lessons were about life as well as singing. The home she and Maestro Pelletier shared on 57th Street in NYC was a special place for lessons and the most celebrated tree trimming parties at Christmas. The autographed photo of Miss Bampton and Maestro Pelletier has always been in my studio at Northern Kentucky University where I have taught for 29 years. I have thought of Miss Bampton daily. I send condolences and blessings to all her family and loving students.
Carolyn Zepf Hagner
Dr. Mercedes Alicea
October 17, 2007
This photo is Dr. Rose Bampton teaching at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy, l967. Photo was taken by me, Dr. Mercedes Alicea (her student and opera singer) This trip included 100 of the best young musicians of the United States.The trip was co-sponsored by the North Carolina School of the Arts and the Italian Government. When we arrived to the Accademia, we were received with a medieval style reception with
fire torches, medieval music at the sound of medieval trumpets. Beautiful memories of my dear teacher. My love for her is through eternity. Best. Mercedes Alicea
Dr. Rose Bampton and her husband Maestro Wilfrid Pelletier at their home in New York, l980 Card was hand made by Rose and sent to me her student and opera singer Dr. Mercedes Alicea
Dr. Mercedes Alicea
October 17, 2007
Photo is Rose Bampton and her husband
Wilfrid Pelletier at their home in New York. The card was hand made by Miss Bampton and sent to me, Mercedes Alicea her voice student and opera singer. This was in 1980.
Dr.Rose E. Bampton in Rome at a Reception offered by the American Embassy for us musicians and our teachers. Photo taken by Mercedes Alicea (Rose Bampton's Student and Opera Singer)
Dr. Mercedes Alicea
October 17, 2007
Photo included is Miss Rose Bampton in Rome,Italy in 1967. The Photo was taken by me Mercedes Alicea (her student)in a trip where my dear teacher took me along with 100 of the best musicians of the United States to study and perform at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy 1967.The photo was taken at a reception offered by the American Embassy to receive us (the musicans and our teachers).
Second picture is Miss Bampton teaching at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy 1967.
Third picture is Rose Bampton and her husband Maestro Wilfrid Pelletier at their home in New York
in 1980.
Dr.Rose Bampton Voice Teacher and Dr. Mercedes Alicea Voice Student at Miss Bampton's Home in New York 1967. Notice the Aura. It is a real expression of the mystic energy of my teacher and I. Dress was donated by Jeannette Mc Donald for Mercedes Alicea
Mercedes Alicea
October 17, 2007
A memorial to honor my dear teacher Rose Bampton will be held on November 15, 2007 at St. Paul's Chapel inside the Columbia University Campus(116th Street and Broadway, New York) The time is 4:00PM to 5:00PM. Miss Bampton was my voice teacher, my mother and my angel. She raised me from extreme poverty, made sure that I accomplished my Bachelor and Master Degree at Manhattan School of Music, took me to Europe to the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy, developed me into an opera singer and opened the doors of Columbia University for me where I became a doctor. Her teaching was the best in the entire world. She always protected me. She will always live inside me and I am devoted to her memory and her love through eternity. Mercedes Alicea
Carole Agase
October 5, 2007
I remember when I was about 10, my father took me to see Rose Bampton, a distant cousin of ours, in Aida. I have her recording of Aida and will always cherish it.
Joe Rubertone Jr
September 6, 2007
Rose was my Great Grandmother. Affectionately termed Gramp Rose. I have fond memories of visiting her in New York, and later on at Bryn Mawr. She was and is an amazing person whom I only wish I could have spent more time with. I am proud of her and in awe of all that she accomplished in her life. God Bless
Teresa Johnston
August 27, 2007
Miss Rose, you made the world a better place by being in it. You will be sadly missed. May the Lord love and keep you in his loving arms.
Edwyna Humperdinck
August 27, 2007
I enjoyed listening to her on the radio singing opera. She had a beautiful voice for a mezzo-soprano, and I'll continue to enjoy the opera even after her passing.
DONALD PIPPIN
August 26, 2007
THE WORLD OF MUSIC IS SO MUCH RICHER HAVING HAD YOUR GLORIOUS VOICE. THANK YOU LOVELY BRILLIANT STAR. R.I.P,
joanne hebert
August 26, 2007
The wonderful voice of Ms. Bampton is now silent.God bless the wonderful talent that she had. My condolences to her family.
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
August 25, 2007
REST IN PEACE ROSE BAMPTON
Kevin Williams
August 25, 2007
Death is a very sad situation but the bible holds out hope for those who fell asleep in death. At Acts 25:15 it lets us know that those who have fell asleep in death will get a resurection. So even though it may seem like there gone forever we can put full trust in the bibe and know we will see them again
Christine Bampton-Safieh
August 24, 2007
to my loving and dear aunt Rose, who always made sure, that she had blow up easter bunnies and baskets full of chocolates for all her neices and nefews. You were so kind and giving to all of us and thank you for comming to my graduation at the Knox school, I will love you forever.
D. Owns
August 24, 2007
RIP
Alison Ames
August 24, 2007
A fond salute to a remarkable person.
Sheila Smith
August 24, 2007
Rest in Peace Rose.
Irene c morrison
August 23, 2007
sorry for your loss she is in gods hands may god be with you in your sad time to her family
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