Roberta Alexander, RIP

There are wonderful tributes online for Roberta Alexander, delightful artist in a wide emotional range of roles. Posting chronologically. These images are tibbits  drawn from my vast archive. 1983 DON GIOVANNI , as Zerlina with James Morris as the Don, "La ci darem la Mano"
 

1985 Jenufa, title role

PORGY AND BESS,  1985, as Bess with Greg Baker as Crown.

LA BOHEME 1987, acts 1 and IV  with Beccaria as Rodolfo

TALES OF HOFFMANN, 1987  as Antonia with James Morris as Dr. Miracle

From same contact sheet,Mel Broiles  a surprise treasure.

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, 1988, the Countess also with Susannah, Hong,  the Letter Duet. Fun time.

CLEMENZA DI TITO, 1991, as Vitellia, Mad scene

The only digital coverage, ELEKTRA 2016 as First Servant with Nina Stemme

It's this Servant who first recognizes Oreste, Eric Owens, very touching moment

To all the friends and family members my heartfelt condolences.

To Roberta, THANK YOU for all the joy.     RIP.

Franz Grundheber RIP

Franz Grundheber has passed away at the age of 88. He always lit up my lens, couldn't take your eyes off him.  Back to the film days, RIGOLETTO with Hei Kyung Hong as Gilda, 1999.
 ,

WOZZECK, also 1999.  Painful.

Finally, the digital years, 2015 LULU as Schigolch with Marlis Petersen as Lulu. Love this role, an old scuzzy creature.

To Mr. Grundheber, THANK YOU. You were a joy.   RIP

Doris Jung Popper RIP

Sad news  came this morning of the passing of Doris Jung Popper. Our performance path crossed in 1972, more than 50 years ago, New York City Opera, ROSENKAVALIER, the Marschallin. All images live, shot from wings during performance.   A few images from Act I and...
 

From Act II

From a NYC Opera Reunion in 2012.

Doris was an elegant artist, true to the of honor to music. She was a special person off stage.   Our paths crossed over the years usually at various dress rehearsals, always a kind word and happiness at sharing news. I'm sad, but also thankful for this beautiful friendship. My heartfelt condolences to the family and all the friends.

Dear Doris, THANK YOU.    RIP

David Randall RIP

Sad news. David Randall  has passed away. He was a joy on stage, elegant singer, perfect actor. I've selected a few images fro the 80s. First ARABELLA as Matteo 1984 with Kathleen Battle as Zdenka.
 

CLEMENZA DI TITO  as Tito 1987

MEISTERSINGER as David 1985 with Peter Hoffmann as Walter

DON PASQUALE 1980 as Ernesto

and Ernesto with Norina,  Roberta Peters

IDOMENEO  1986

FLEDERMAUS 1986, as Alfred with Rodelinde, Kiri TeKanawa

and with the Jailor, Otto Schenk

COSI FAN TUTTE   1984  as Ferrando

and with Kiri TeKanawa, Fiordiligi

To the family, the many colleagues and friends my heartfelt condolences.

Dear David,  for so music pleasure and your treasured friendship, thank you.

RIP

Gilda Cruz-Romo RIP

Sadly, sweet Gilda has passed to Heaven. Our friendship began in 1969, New York City Opera. We were in touch  until the day before she died.  Her New York City Opera debut was in MEFISTOFELE, Marguerita and Elena. Shot from the wings.
 

BOHEME, Mimi 1970

BUTTERFLY  1970

Amelia in BALLO 1971

BALLO with Louis Quilico

TOSCA 1971

On to the Metropolitan Opera, MANON LESCAUT  1973

LESCAUT with Carlos Motane as Des Grieux

AIDA  1978 with Louis Quilico and Carlo Bergonzi

OTELLO 1978 as Desdemona with Domingo as Otello

BUTTERFLY 1981

SUOR ANGELICA 1975,  in rehearsal with Fabrizio Milano, the director and Lili Chookasian, the Princess.

On stage SUOR ANGELICA. 1975

A couple of candid shots from 1970 and 1974

There are clips of Gilda singing on You Tube. She was an exquisite artist, ;later a dedicated teacher. She lived by  honor to music, .. integrity,  knowing the composer's wishes,  no sloppiness permitted. As a person she was a joy,- down to earth, empathetic, with a great sense of humor.  She was the most gentle, brave person I ever knew.  Friendship is hard work. We were pals through thick and thin, hard and easy. Her final words after every phone call, (almost every day for years), "I love you. Thank you for being my friend". The feelings were mutual.

Dear Gilda, I know you are at peace now with Bob. I'm glad, but I'll miss you forever.

                                                                      RIP