Lily Pons: A Centennial Portrait [Hardcover]

James A. Drake (Editor), Kristin Beall Ludecke (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003

The popular opera star Lily Pons (1898-1976) was the reigning coloratura at the Metropolitan Opera from 1931 to 1959, and her career included several Hollywood films. She was as beautiful and charming as she was talented - a combination that made her a true celebrity. This collection brings together the impressions of colleagues, critics and scholars about this much-beloved diva, with more than 100 rare photographs from Lily Pons' own archives, largely owned by Ludecke and her family. HARDCOVER.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Amadeus Press; First Edition edition (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574670476
• ISBN-13: 978-1574670479
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,036,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent ribute to a great artist, September 26, 2000

By 

W. Russell (Springfield, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lily Pons: A Centennial Portrait (Hardcover)

Rather than a straight biography, this excellently compiled volume of writings and photos (many reproduced here for the first time) is an eloquent tribute to a truly great artist who graced the stage of the Metropolitan during the not-too-distant past when "the Met" really did hold the standard of greatness. One very amusing photo taken in Pons' dressing room shows her entertaining a group of young students, one of which is an enthralled Bernie Schwartz (later known as Tony Curtis). Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Hitting another High Note with Lily Pons", February 17, 2010

By 

Richard Kendall - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lily Pons: A Centennial Portrait (Hardcover)

I purchased this book to give to one of my vocal students.
Lily Pons was a personal friend of mine for over 30 years. I started writing to her when I was in high school. When I moved to California, she invited me to her home in Palm Springs for a visit.
I later saw and spent time with her as the years passed. I was her guest at her concert in Palm Springs and also at her appearance on the Merv Griffin Show in Hollywood. Unfortunately, this book is NOT
a true biography as we know the word. It is a collection of stories and public relations items collected. However, the photographs in the book are outstanding! I have a huge scrapbook on Pons and these photographs were not in my collection. The photos alone are worth the price of the book! She has always been my favorite singer; I adored the artist!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lily Pons, April 23, 2009

By 

Heller (jacksonville fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lily Pons: A Centennial Portrait (Hardcover)

This book is nothing but a complilation of magazine articles. I was so disappointed. Nothing about her personal life that a fan doesnt already know basically she was married to Kostelantz and recorded for RCA & Columbia and that she was nervous before a performance, It was just an attempt to make a buck off her 100th birthday. Shame on the writer of this so call biography!!!!!