Jessye Norman, RIP

The opera world is crushed. Jessye Norman has passed away. It was always thrilling when she was on stage. These are a few memories of her many portrayals.  First the title role in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, 1993

Judith in BLUEBEARD with Sam Ramey as Bluebeard 1989

The Woman in ERWARTUNG 1989

Madam Lidoine in DIALOGUES OF THE  CARMELITES 1987

THE MAKROPULOS AFFAIR, Emelia Marty, then the Diva 1996

Kundry in PARSIFAL 1991

Elizabeth in TANNHAUSER 1987 with Richard Cassily as Tannhauser

Also from TANNHAUSER, " Dich teure Halle"

From TROYEN  1983, Cassandre

Finally Sieglinde WALKURE  1989 with Gary Lakes as Siegmund

With Hildegard Behrens as Brunhilde, last act with the smashed sword.   Jessye Norman was a treasure. Lots of audio and video clips online.

Spiro Malas, R.I.P.

It is with sadness,but also thankfulness that I'm posting these images.  Spiro Malas  passed away Sunday afternoon. The images range from 1967 to 1978, NYC  Opera. Cherished memories. The films have sat in my files for decades. Most are from the  performances shot from the wings. Captions under each image. First, ABDUCTION, April 1971,Osmin

BARBER OF SEVILLE March 1971, Dominic Cossa as Figaro and Spiro as Bartolo

BOHEME March 1968, Spiro as Colline

CAPRICCIO, September 1969, Spiro as LaRoche

GIULIO CESARE, October 1967, as Tolomeo

COQ D'OR, November 1968   as King Dodon

COSI FAN TUTTE,  October 1971, First act trio, Spiro as Don Alfonso, Patricia Brooks as Fiordiligi and Kay Creed as Dorabella

DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT, September 1975, Enrico DiGiuseppe as Tonio, Beverly Sills as Marie and Spiro as Sulpice

DON GIOVANNI, October 1974, Leporello with Catalog

FIGARO, April 1969, Act 2, Spiro as Figaro, Joy Clements in background as Susanna

FLEDERMAUS, September 1974, Spiro as Frank, Alan Titus as Eisenstein

MAGIC FLUTE. October 1967. Sarastro

MIKADO October 1974, Spiro as Poo Bah

DON RODRIGO, March 1967, as Teudiselo

            TURK IN ITALY, November 1978, Spiro as Selim, Beverly Sills as Fiorilla

Spiro was always a power on stage, fun to watch and listen to. The images are posted joyfully. There was so much to learn and enjoy. Condolences to family, colleagues, friends, music lovers.
Dear Spiro, R.I.P.

Franco Zeffirelli, RIP

These are posted with a heavy heart. FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI taught me what great opera is all about. These are just a few images, already scanned. First, from the Colony Club 1964 after a talk. Fabrizio Milano is on the right. This was shot before I really knew what I was doing with a camera.

OTELLO, 1972 with Sherrill Milnes as Iago,Act II and one solo shot. Direction by emotions.

BOHEME 1981 with Teresa Stratas and Jose Carreras, end Act I

TOSCA 1985 in rehearsal room, Act II with Hildegard Behrens and Cornell MacNeil

More TOSCA with Placido Domingo and the always cigarette

TURANDOT 1987  with Ping, Pang, Pong and then Eva Marten

With the chorus men Act III,i and then Act III, ii

                                                    From DON GIOVANNI 1990
To all the Zeffirelli admirers and friends my heartfelt condolences.  To dear Maestro, thank you forever. R.I.P.

Heather Harper, RIP

I read online that Heather Harper has passed away. She was an elegant artist and sweet person. I only got to photograph her artistry twice first as Ellen Orford in PETER GRIMES at the Met and then as Alceste in the Gluck opera at th eNew York City Opera in September/October 1982.  This first image is wit the young boy, abused apprentice to Grimes acted by Adam Wallach.

This Ellen Orford with Capt. Balstrode, the late great Donald Gramm.

Finally the death scene at the shore with Jon Vickers, the iconic Grimes of our time.

Alceste, dress rehearsal New York City Opera Sept. 1982. Her two children. I'm sorry I don't remember the names of the child performers. This is 36 years ago.

Also from the dress rehearsal with the children. I do recognize Robert Brubaker in the background. He was in the chorus.

Next three images shot from the wings during performance Oct. 1, 1982.

It was a pleasure and very emotional watching Heather Harper. These are posted with huge thanks and a heavy heart. To friends and family heartfelt condolences.  RIP, dear lady.