Opera prisons, punishment, etc.- Part 2

MEFISTOFELE, NYC Opera 1969, Prison scene, Gilda Cruz Romo as Margherite
 

AIDA, Triumphal scene with all the prisoners Amonastro and Aida 2014, Lucic and Monastyrska

Also AIDA, entombed 2005, Salvatore Lacitra and Michelle Crider

SAMSON, 2018, Alagna, blinded and chained

TROVATORE, 2009, Azucena captured and beaten , Delora Zajick

RISE AND FALL OF MAHAGONNY,  1979, Richard Casselly as Jimmy Mahoney, execution time. Nedda Cassei in foreground.

Also execution time, Nathan Gunn in AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY 2005

BILLY BUDD, 1979, Richard Stillwell, shackled before being hung.

In prison before being deported, MANON LESCAUT, 2008, Karita Mattila.

More to follow.

Opera prisons, punishment, etc.- Part 1

In opera there are loads of prison scenes, punishment, death. In looking for images I've searched for the pain. First Bernabe Marti as Cavaradossi/ TOSCA, NYC Opera 1967.  I have lots of last act Tosca images, but not many showing the prison.
 

Laverne Monette/ THE CRUCIBLE, NYC Opera, 1968

CLEMENZA DI TITO, NYC Opera 1979, Anne Murray as Sesto

FAUST final scene, NYC Opera  1968 with Molese and Sills, in prison.

NINE RIVERS FROM JORDAN,  NYC Opera 1968 Roaquin Romaguerra

MARIA STUARDA,  NYC Opera  1972, Sills, Maria Stuarda being out to death

In FLEDERMAUS Alfred is jailed. We never see him in jail but we hear him singing. This is my all time favorite jailer, Jack Gilford  1963, the Old Met.

Also at the Old Met, FIDELIO 1966, freed - Jon Vickers and Birgit Nilsson as Florestan and Leonore. Sherrill Milnes on the right.

The poor prisoners in FIDELIO 1983.  I recognize the faces, but not their  names.

My favorite Florestan in chains, 1983 Jon Vickers, .. not an easy scene to shoot. Always dark.
 

More to follow. Lots of prison related moments in opera.

Ewa Podles, RIP

I have heard that Ewa Podles has passed away. I only ever heard her live as La Cieca in GIOCONDA, 2008. I was so moved that I went  to every performance. Her daughter, La Gioconda, was Deborah Voigt.

 

Olga Borodina was Laura.

Enzo  was Aquiles Machado

I'm not trying to show the whole synopsis, only the characterization of La Cieca,the blind mother. The whole opera was soul gripping.  To the fans and family my heartfelt condolences.

Dear Ewa, thank you.  RIP

Lois KIrschenbaum RIP

Lois Kirschenbaum was the ultimate fan. There's a feature article in today's New York Times about Lois's life and her Estate plan. She lived simply, modestly... saved what she earned. She passed away in, I think, 2021. Her Estate is now being distributed to Organizations that help young singers, an Estate of over 7 million.  I first noticed Lois in 1967. First image is backstage at New York City Opera , State Theater after premier of CO'Q D'OR, Sept. 21, 1967. Huge crowd of fans backstage.  Lois at door to dressing room #3, the star's space, Beverly Sills who was Queen Shamakah. In the shadow is Mama Sills.
 

Peter Greenough, Beverly's husband, Beverly and Regina Resnik.

In the hallway, Maestro Rudel with his wife Rita, talking with Mrs Doria,  Francis Robinson smiling at camera. I was not tall enough or pushy enough to photograph everyone swarming in the space.

Jump 40 years ahead, Honor program for James Levine at Tully Hall, 2009, reception afterwards,  Sue Thompson, Paul Gruber. Fabrizio Milano, Teresa Stratas, Raymond Gniewek, Lois and Maestro Levine in front.  Notice lois is carrying her usual two large bags.

Final image after the Vickers' Memorial program March 6, 2016, both severely incapacitated in wheel -chairs, crowded reception , but both managed to have an intimate private conversation undisturbed.  Tender, sweet. 

Hundreds of performers knew and appreciated Lois's  support, her constant attention and admiration.  Her gifts for the future of singers is monumental.  She did the best she could forever.

Dear Lois,  RIP.

Mildred Miller, RIP

Mildred Miller was an important part of my early opera learning experience. I heard her in many operas before I had a camera. From  my archives there are two early operas-  FALSTAFF, live performances, Nov 11, 1964 with Judith Raskin, Gabrielle Tucci, Mildred in profile and Regina Resnik.
 

Same moment, the Falstaff-out-the-window moment with Luigi Alva, Lily Chookasian, Mildred and Pilar Lorengar.   Delicious performances, perfection.

ROSENKAVALIER, Feb. 1974, Act II  interruption of Love Duet,  Mildred as Annina, Edith Mathis as Sophie, Brigette Fassbaender as Octavian, and Andrea Velis as Valzzacchi.

Same as above, two seconds later. The perfect ensemble.

Mildred with Baron Ochs with the invitation. Ochs was Manfred Jungwirth.

Perfect production, great ensemble, Viennese charm as befitted the music.  Never forgotten.

Dear Mildred, thank you for your art. To all the family and friends my heartfelt condolences.

                                                           RIP