“Old Folks At Home” Stephen Foster (1826-64)

Rosa Ponselle Sings Stephen Foster’s Old Folks At Home (or Swanee River):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgpJM17KVZw&feature=player_embedded

“This Sunday, July 4, is Stephen Foster’s birthday. He was born on July 4, 1826 in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, and died in poverty at only 37 in New York on January 13, 1864. Considered the Father of American Song, Foster had a melodic inspiration second to none. One has to have a heart of stone not to be moved by his songs the likes of Beautiful Dreamer, My Old Kentucky Home, Old Folks At Home, and many more.  To remember the birthday of this great song writer, I have chosen Old Folks At Home, sung by another great American, soprano Rosa Ponselle.  Opera lovers will be familiar with Ponselle, who sang in the era of Caruso.  It is so intriguing to hear a great Norma, Aida, Santuzza, and Leonora (Forza) sing this very sentimental ditty. Ponselle actually sings it without excessive sentimentality, only varying her tone colours for expression.  This is a performance to remember.”
– Joseph K. So           http://videoblog.scena.org/

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