American Soprano Florence Hinkle ~ Good-bye (1913) Video
American soprano Florence Hinkle (c.1880-1933) / Good-bye (Whyte-Melville; Tosti) / Recorded: December 22, 1913 --
Referred to as "without question the leading concert soprano of her day" by composer and critic A. Walter Kramer (1890-1969), Hinkle began her career in Philadelphia, subsequently studying with Oscar Saenger in New York, and with bass singer Herbert Witherspoon (1873-1935), whom she married. For about 20 years she sang throughout the United States in concert and oratorio. One of her triumphs was as soloist in the American premiere of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8 ("Symphony of a Thousand") with Leopold Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra on March 2, 1916 at the Academy of Music. Hinkle was wildly applauded: ".... above the crescendo of applause could be heard members of the chorus crying 'Hinkle!'" Her voice was described, again by Kramer, as "a lyric soprano of exceptional purity and limpidity, the top voice so enchanting as to be almost indescribable." From 1906-1917 Hinkle recorded some 41 sides for Victor's Black, Purple and Blue labels. If memory serves correct, she appears on a small number of Edison cylinders. Hinkle held annual matinee concerts at Aeolian Hall, where in December 1918, according to a review in the New York Times, "a picture in black velvet and diamonds", she gave more than two hours of songs and encores, including works by Purcell, Fevrier, Szulc, and Sidney Homer. (Sources: Lawrence F. Holdridge 2003 Record Auction catalogue / Twenty-five Years of the Philadelphia Orchestra - 1900-1925 by Frances Anne Wister - 1925 / The Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings / The New York Times)
******************************
Save & Share: 
parlophonman: Just Beautiful ! Thank you.
althazarr: SWEET! Thanks Doug. Lloyd
meltzerboy: I love Tosti's songs, no matter how sentimental they may be. This one was recorded by both Melba and Caruso, as well as Ponselle and McCormack, I believe. Melba's first recording of the song has only one stanza; it is her second recording that is a classic. Hinkle is no Melba, but the singing is very good and the diction very clear. Thanks for sharing this.
tomfroekjaer: Lovely, Doug! Sounds from an age of (apparent) innocence and genuity...
CurzonRoad: Hi Tom: As you know, it is nice to bring bring these singers back to life! Thank YOU! Doug --
tomfroekjaer: Yes, wonderful to bring these wonderful people back to life - very emotional ! Tom
65attila: Doug Another tremendous find. You should be given an artistic medal by the American Historical Society for discovering these wonderful American singers. Regards-John
65attila: meltzerboy I agree about Tosti - there is a Cd devoted to his songs only and the performers are some of the greats you mentioned and others from that era.
Bivolari: Lovely tone and correctly sung. The tea and scones were delicious. Be careful of the potted palm! Good-bye!!
CurzonRoad: Up until a few years ago there was a shop nearby with thousands of 78, 45, 33 rpm discs, all in disarray. The 78s were 50 cents a piece, at times on sale for only a dime! Needless to say, in this bargain basement environment curiosity could & did run amok. Thanks, John!
Delifine: This singer sounds very different from Melba, maybe she's not worse technically, she just sings with moving tenderness, but yes, i prefer Nellie Melba's version because she shows such dramatism in this song, pain and turbulence which were not very usual for her recordings. Unfortunately I don't know the whole lyrics but when Melba sings 'my heart, again, my heart...' I get so very turbulent too and then this final 'goodbye forever...' sounds like a great catharsis.
AulicExclusiva: A very lovely voice, fine detailed vocalism. Her American Rs are a bit disconcerting (though probably not to Americans) but the columnar evenness of her sweet tone is impressive. The sfumatura [dying away] in the penultimate "Good bye!" was ravishingly beautiful! Another superb disk, Doug! Treasures from artists we ought to know much better.
CurzonRoad: Agreed, while Florence Hinkle is not a Melba, her performance is nonetheless effective in its own right. THANK YOU!
meltzerboy: I think I have that CD, but who knows where (or when)? Does it have the baritone Umberto Urbano on it?
meltzerboy: I agree completely with your analysis. Melba is often said to have lacked passion (although Hurst tells a different story); yet several of her recordings, such as the aria from Massenet's "Le Cid," reveal quite a lot of emotion, though never verismo style.
CurzonRoad: The Record Collector CD "Tosti Ritorna" issued perhaps 10 years ago, does have Urbano (plus Corradetti, Labinski, de Lucia, Kruszelnicka, Bellantoni, Parkina, Dalmorès, Kamionsky, Magini-Coletti, Delmas, Scampini, Nivette, Formichi, Enriqueta Basavilbaso de Atelin, Frascani, Labia, Gösta Björling, Case, Minghetti, Islandi, Bonelli, Anselmi). Cheers, etc. Doug --
65attila: Meltzerboy I cannot find my CD at the moment but I think this is the one. ASIN: B000003U4P John
meltzerboy: This is a wonderful CD, and the Urbano selection stands out, in particular, in my memory. Thanks, Doug.
Delifine: I haven't heard Melba in Le Cid. Is it on youtube?
meltzerboy: Unfortunately not yet (hint). Callas' and Caballe's beautiful versions are, though.
Kievest: Hinkle is stylish and upperdrawer and her top voice is ethereal with wonderful moments of celestial singing! Thank you, Doug!
AulicExclusiva: Richard Crooks made a beautiful recording of Good-bye!
ilovecollecting: Thank You so much for this Doug - solved a long-time mystery for me! ; - ) Lovely version! Still searching for the version I owned. Many Thanks.
CurzonRoad: Thank YOU, ilovecollecting... and shall be on the lookout for THE version you're looking for. ALL BEST. Doug --
Author: CurzonRoad; Uploaded: Oct 19, 2009; Duration: 4:12; Views: 138
Tags: american soprano florence hinkle tosti acoustic 78 rpm curzonroad hinckley fc hinckley and bosworth hinkley point hinkley hinkler books hinkley point c hinckley college hinckley island hotel hinkley rfc hinkley point jobs
