Dmitri Hvorostovsky RIP

It's with a heavy heart that I post these few images of Dmitri Hvorostovsky who lost his battle to brain cancer. He was a gem, a treasure. Whatever he did he made you smile.  I can't post everything, too many images. These are just a few favorite moments. First Renato in BALLO 2007.

Simon Boccanegra in 2011

Two images from DON CARLO, 2006, first alone as Rodrigo and then with Johan Botha as Don Carlo. Both men died too young.

As Don Carlo in ERNANI  2012

Valentin in FAUST 2005

Two images from ONEGIN  2007, title role

Yeletsky in QUEEN OF SPADES 1995

Germont in TRAVIATA 2004

Count di Luna in TROVATORE 2009

WAR AND PEACE, Andrey, 2002 start of opera and then with Anna Netrebko as Natasha

Candid moments, the rehearsal for the Volpe Gala in 2006

Trovatore curtain call, 2009

MOG Interview 2012

A performer makes the pictures. It was always a joy when Dmitri was on stage. Great artist. Fabulous human being. To his family and his many friends my heartfelt condolences.

Philip Creech, RIP

Word has come that Philip Creech passed away in February. He was a vibrant member of the Met. Here are a few memories. First ARIADNE Sept. 1997, the Opera,... if I remember correctly, Natalie Dessay as Zerbinetta, Mark Oswald, Eric Halfvarson, Philip as Scaramuccio, Gregory Turay and Deborah Voigt as Ariadne.

as Pedrillo in ENTFUEHRUNG in 1984

The same in 1982 with Marti Talvella as Osmin

More Pedrillo, 1984

MANON LESCAUT,  1981, Edmondo

The Singer in TABARRO 1994

Pong in TURANDOT 1995

                                                  The Scientist in THE VOYAGE  1996
I am sorry to hear of Phillip's passing. Heartfelt condolences to family and friends.

Gedda, Part two of tribute

Another group of emotional images. DON PASQUALE, Dec. 1978, Gabriel Bacquier as Pasquale, Gedda as Ernesto

Ernesto with Norina, Beverly Sills, also Dec. 1978

FAUST, Dec. 1972, title role

FAUST, final scene with Colette Boky as Marguerite

VESPRI, Jan. 1974, Caballe as Helene and Gedda as Henri

TRAVIATA  Oct. 1983, Gedda as Alfredo, Kiri TeKanawa as Violetta

PIQUE DAME Dec. 1972, Gedda as Gherman and Regina Resnik as the Countess

These are the earliest images in my Library, actual performance Oct. 17, 1963, shot with a little Petri camera, a split frame camera so that each picture was 1/2 of the frame, no way to know what was being captured. The real point and shoot, no help from camera. I have no idea why I've kept these films, lots of lint and scratches, but emotionally they rate. Anna Moffo was Manon. Gedda as DesGrieux. The Count DesGrieux was Giorgio Tozzi. Lescaut was Frank Guarrera. Each of the two strips are really two separate images, but this was the only way they could be scanned.

Dec. 10, 1972, a famous Swedish restaurant. I don't remember who said I should do this. I've scanned the wide shot to show smoking permitted in restaurant.  I think this is Nicolai with his wife.

All the images are meant as an emotional gift for all the Gedda fans.
RIP, sweet man.

Nicolai Gedda RIP

Into the files again with a heavy heart. Another elegant singer has died, wonderful Nicolai Gedda, always a joy to hear and watch. It's not possible to scan everything. I haven't included Traviata or Pique Dame or the tenor in Rosenkavalier. Here are a few memories,  samples of the fun and joy when Gedda was on stage.  First Belmonte in ENTFUHRUNG, Oct. 1979.

 Riccardo in BALLO IN MASCHERA Oct. 1975

BARTERED BRIDE Oct. 1978, Teresa Stratas as Marenka and Gedda as Jenik

Fun time, CARMEN Dec. 1967, Grace Bumbry as Carmen and Gedda as Jose

Faust Dec. 1972

The last scene  FAUST with Colette Boky as Marguerite

From Oct. 1965, the old Met,  Robert Merrill as Valentine, Gedda as Faust, Cesare Siepi as Mephistophele. I heard every performance

Gedda as Ottavio, DON GIOVANNI Sept. 1972

Lensky in EUGENE ONEGIN Oct. 1977

Fun time, DON PASQUALE Dec. 1978,  Gedda as Ernesto with Gabriel Bacquier as Don Pasquale

And PASQUALE again, Gedda and Beverly Sills as Norina

                Finally VESPRI, Jan. 1974,  Caballe as Helene and Gedda as Henri
        I'm eternally grateful for having heard all this wonderful singing. RIP sweet Nicolai.