Robert Cahen. RIP

Robert Cahen photographed predominantly for the San Francisco Opera, for decades. He adored opera, respected the performers and that showed in his photo studies. He photographed the great of the greats... Callas, DeStefano, Nilsson, Horne, Thomas, Schwarzkopf, Sutherland, Rysanek... to mention a few. He befriended the singers who recognized both his enthusiasm and seriousness.  Sadly, Bob passed away this week after being in failing health. We e-mailed up until the end. He always wanted to know what was going on. He was thrilled that Hvorostovsky is here for DeLuna sounding brilliant.  Bob was a fun guy, a total opera person. I'll miss the schmoozing.
 RIP Bob.
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Mario Sereni RIP

Mario Sereni passed away this month. Into the files.... time to scan some images. First, BOHEME Oct. 1972 with Fernando Corena as Alcindoro and Colette Boky as Musetta. Unidentified super on left.

Also BOHEME  Oct. 23, 1965, actual performance with Jerome Hines (face hidden) as Colline, Clifford Harvout as Schaunard, kneeling Andrea Velis as Alcindoro, Beverly Bower partially hidden as Musetta,  Gabriella Tucci as Mimi, Gianni Raimondi as Rodolfo and Sereni as Marcello

MADAME BUTTERFLY January 1979, Sereni as Sharpless with Renata Scotto as Cio Cio San

L'ELISIR D'AMORE April 1980 with Gail Robinson as Adina, Loretta DiFranco as Giannetta and  Sereni as Belcore

FALSTAFF Nov. 11, 1964, actual performance, Sir Geraint Evans as Falstaff and Sereni as Ford

Sereni as Barnaba, GIOCONDA Nov. 1979

MANON LESCAUT, Dec. 1973  Gilda Cruz Romo as Manon, Sereni as Lescaut and Carlos Montane as Des Grieux

It's fun going into the files, seeing different photo technique, seeing wonderful singers of the past.
Mario Sereni,   thank you!

Jon Vickers RIP

After a long battle with Altzheimer's beloved Jon Vickers has gone to his peace. He was one of my inspirational idols, always true to the art form, always the character he was portraying, thrilling, brilliant, and behind the theatrical intensity a gentle human being. He is now of the world, forever.  First as Florestan with Leonore, the great Birgit Nilsson, FIDELIO 1966, the old Met.

Peter Grimes, 1977

Otello, 1974

                                                                     Parsifal, 1985
Yes, there are lots more pictures, but no time right now to scan everything...... perhaps for a future posting.   RIP, dear Jon.
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Don Yule, RIP

Sadly, Don Yule died last week. During his long career with New York City Opera he did a huge assortment of character roles. These are a sampling, all performance images. First The Police Commissioner in BARBER OF SEVILLE with Enrico DiGiuseppe as the Count, 1968.

BELLE HELENE, 1976 as Euthycles with Richard McKee

Alcindoro in BOHEME 1978 with Sharon Daniels as Musetta

Couldn't resist including this, BUTTERFLY 1967, first act wedding scene, Don as the Commissioner with Nico Castel as Goro. The person in the white sailor suit on the right is Placido Domingo as Pinkerton

The CONSUL, 1974, Don as Mr. Kosner, Sandra Walker as the secretary

Didn't remember taking this FANCIULLA 1977, Don as Bill with Kathleen Hegierski as Wowkle

FIGARO, 1976, Don as Antonio

FIGARO 1968, Don as Dr. Bartolo

MEISTERSINGER, 1975 the Night Watchman

NINE RIVERS FROM JORDAN by Hugo Weisgall 1968, Don as the Leader of the Bedoins

PELLEAS ET MELISANDE, 1970, Don a the Doctor, Patricia Brooks as the dying Melisande

Same as above, but add Malcolm Smith in halo of light as Arkel and Goulaud with back to audience, Louis Quilico

GIANNI SCHICHI  1969, Don as Betto

TOSCA 1968, Don as the Sacristan

All images posted with thanks for great memories, RIP Don.
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Guenther Schneider-Siemssen

Schneider-Siemssen was a Master of design. See sets, hear the music in your memory.  RUSALKA, Act 1

PARSIFAL,  Act 3 and then Act 2

TANNHAUSER, Act 2

MEISTERSINGER, Act 2

RHEINGOLD, end of opera

WALKURE, Act 3

SIEGFRIED  ACT 2

                                                    GOTTERDAMMERUNG, Act II
I don't know where to find the umlauts, sorry.
RIP
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New York City Opera Reunion- Post 6, final post

Nimet Habachy with Sara Keene

Maggie Goodman, Nimet Habachy, Sara Keene

Judith Fredericks speaking

Diane Kehrig and Nimet Habachy

Cadace Itow and Louise Perry... we have to do this every reunion

Anthea DeForest

Diane Kehrig, Jim Biddle in background

Cori Ellison spoke eloquently about the meaning of the New York City Opera

Carol Bergey Skarimbas

Robert Brubaker expressed thanks

Catherine Malfitano spoke about New York City Opera as a family.

Allen McGill and camera. Didn't want to miss this. Behind Allen is Lila, but on the right are Sandra Darling, sorry I didn't get a close-up, and Carol Bergey Skarimbas.

Dominic Cossa and Joseph Riscigno

William Ledbetter and Jim Biddlecome... electronic toys. It was fun to watch, First there was all this hugging and talking and eating and more eating, but eventually the cell phones and iPads came out. Toy time.                                                        

That's it. No more pictures.. or rather, there are others, but I have no idea who I photographed. Time for bed.
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