Rosa Ponselle was an American operatic soprano who had a successful career in the early 20th century. She was born ROSA Ponzillo in Meriden, Connecticut in 1897 and began her career as a singer in vaudeville before making her operatic debut in 1918. She is best known for her performances in the works of Verdi and Puccini. Her most famous role was that of Leonora in Verdi's Il Trovatore. She retired from the stage in 1937 and died in 1981.