Russell Christopher

There's an obituary notice in today's New York Times for Russell Christopher. He did many of the character roles at the Met.  I don't have everything digitalized, but had this one delicious image from October 1976, GIANNI SCHICHI.  From left to right,  Russell Christopher as Betto,  Shirley Love as Ciesca, Italo Tajo as Simone, behind him Ron Boucher as Marco, Fedora Barbieri as Zita, above Neil Shicoff as Rinuccio, in front Charlie Anthony as Gherardo, Betsy Nordon as Nella.  This was one fun cast.
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Leonie Rysanek

There's a link on www.parterre.com   to the Rysanek 25th Anniversary Concert, an audio of this event, brilliant, gorgeous. Into the files I went to find images that were already digitalized. Memory Lane time.  Totally emotional. Feelings, not furniture.  First- the Bing Gala with Vickers.

Fidelio, Vickers and Leonie, the old house.

Frau in 1978 with James King as the Kaiser

At home, August 1972

Parsifal, Act II with Vickers

Salome 1972

Elizabeth, Tannhauser, "Dich teure Halle"  new Met

Same thing, old Met

Marschallin, Rosenkavalier.

There are more images in the files, but not yet digitalized. Opera is about feelings, emotions. Here they are, total love and respect for the integrity and the glory of it all.
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Carlo Bergonzi, a Tribute

Radames, October 1978  AIDA

Riccardo, October 1982  BALLO IN MASCHERA

Turridu  September 1971 CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA with Jean Kraft as Mama Lucia

Nemorino 1987  L'ELISIR D'AMORE

Enzo Grimaldi  1979    GIOCONDA

Canio  1979  PAGLIACCI.  Cornell MacNeil as Tonio in background.

Rehearsal  1996  LEVINE GALA

Every session with Mr. Bergonzi was thrilling. He was an elegant singer. He sang, I smiled. Thank goodness there are recordings to cherish.  We never spoke. I regret that. I would have expressed profound thanks for his artistry.
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Maestro Julius Rudel, RIP

Maestro Rudel passed away this morning.  He was all that is wonderful in opera, respect  for the music, a sense of adventure, giving the audience excitement and wonder. Instead of selecting posed, editorial images I've gone into the files, the candid behind the scene images, the work before the audience got the polished production. It was hard work, frustrating work, but satisfying and fun. First, in the auditorium during a BALLO rehearsal with John White. Mr. White watched the money.

MAGIC FLUTE rehearsal. Veronica Tyler as Pamina. 1967. David Bamberger stage director.

Working with Patricia Brooks,TRAVIATA 1967

Before a performance with Spiro Malas, MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, 1967

Before ROSENKAVALIER 1967  with Felix Popper and Hans Sondheimer. Julius knew every light cue and where every bulb was.

Rehearsing CAVALLERIA 1967 with Frank Corsaro

More CAVALLERIA 1967, Corsaro and Francesca Roberto

Sills and Rudel before Act II MANON, 1969

Rehearsing 1968

FAUST rehearsal 1968 with Norman Treigle and Corsaro

Also with Sills  1968

MEFISTOFELE rehearsal 1969 with Tito Capobianco

MEFISTOFELE 1969 with Robert Nagy

MANON rehearsal  1970 with Placido Domingo and Felix Popper at piano

Rehearsal room, wide angle lens, 1970

ROBERTO DEVEREUX rehearsal with Sills, 1970

YOUNG LORD rehearsal 1973 with Sarah Caldwell

YOUNG LORD rehearsal 1973 with Sir Rudolf Bing

YOUNG LORD rehearsal 1973 with Christopher Keene and Sarah Caldwell

TURK IN ITALY rehearsal with Donald Gramm 1978

Birthday party 2011 with Placido Domingo

Birthday party 2011 with Sherrill Milnes

Maestro Rudel, we'll never forget what you gave us.   We love you.

ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
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Jean Kraft, A Tribute Afternoon

Jean Kraft was honored this afternoon with a musical tribute for her many years as a glorious performer.

Jean was in the audience as the program was led by Louis M. Barrella.  He had a number of video segments from the Met Archives.

Suor Angelica

Ernani

The 1983 Centennial Gala with Mirella Devia

After the presentation with Mr. Barrella

With Batyah Godfrey Ben-David

Fabrizio Milano, Claudia Catania, Brian Kellow, Jean, Batyah and Mr. Barrella

Claudia taking a group picture with her cell phone.

A quiet moment, Fabrizio and Jean.

A tribute such as this can be intensely emotional, gorgeous musical memories the likes of which we don't hear anymore.  Musical friendships, true human friendships, huge thankfulness.  None of the video segments were high-tech but the impact was gut wrenching.  We were all shattered.  This was a difficult chore for the camera. Some moments were too personal to make public.  This event was all about love for a very dear person.
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