Show I PONSELlE ELIN IN DIFFICULT ROLE ROL Appears As Norma In Bellinis Bellini's Famous Opera NEW YORK Nov By 17 The Associated As- As Associated Rosa Press Ponselle prima donna of the Metropolitan Opera r company appeared for the first time timet l t In the role of Norma re- re regarded regarded by critics as one of the most difficult In Italian repertoire when New York for the first time in 36 years heard the charming arias of opera It Is a 0 role de- de demands demands mands on the leading lad lady who Is compelled to command the grand dra- dra dramatic dramatic matic style with effortless ease and at the 6 same me time achieve complete masterY of the br art of colora- colora coloratura coloratura tura but the famous Ponselle who began her recitals as a child before audiences of oC playmates In Meriden COnn carried the role with an as- as assurance assurance that brought enthusiastic ap- ap Her bier friends said that difficulty culty of the role left her exhausted even after rehearsals Norma last was sung In New York by Milt Lilli Lehman Lehmann In 1891 and the three old child who v.-ho then then played the part of a sleeping Infant again II appeared Wednesday night In an Im- Im important soprano role She was Minnie Egener daughter of a former ormer Metro Metro- Metropolitan Metropolitan politan star now DOW i he te wile wife of Louis conductor of the Metro Metro- Metropolitan politan opera Miss Egener said she distinctly re- re remembered remembered the glorious voice olce of Leh- Leh Lehmann Lehmann mann which welled over her as she lay on a couch covered with soft skins rubbing her hands over the soft fur and having too good a time timeto timeto to suffer from stage fright For For the past several days MI Miss Egener had been fighting in desperation against a a. severe cold which threatened to prevent her reappearance In Norma after these 36 years ears |