Sunday, October 25, 2020

Ming Cho Lee RIP

Sadly MING CHO LEE, master stage designer has passed away in New York, Oct. 23, 2020. Over the years my lens documented his fabulous set designs at the New York City Opera, Juilliard, the Mini Met and the Metropolitan Opera. I didn't scan everything, because it's a massive archive. I've selected representative powerful memories. First DON RODRIGO, NYC Opera 1967. (2)

                                           GIULIO CESARE, New York City Opera  1967 (2)

                                                  COQ D'OR, New York City Opera 1967
                                                 BOMARZO, New York City Opera  1968  (2)

                                       HELP HELP, THE  GLOBOLINKS, City Center 1969
                                               THE RAKE'S PROGRESS, Juilliard  1970 (2)

                                                FAUST, New York City Opera  1968
             TALES OF HOFFMANN,  New York City Opera   1972  (2) special use of mylar

                                                        BOHEME, Juilliard   1972
                                                    DIDO AND AENEAS, Mini Met  1973
                                           FOUR SAINTS IN THREE ACTS, Mini Met 1973
                                                             PHEDRE,  Mini Met 1973
                                               SUSANNAH, New York City Opera  1971
    ROBERTO DEVEREUX, ANNA BOLENA, MARIA STUARDA, New York City Opera. the 70s


                                                IDOMENEO, New York City Opera   1975
                                                 LOHENGRIN, Metropolitan Opera 1976  (2)

                                                  PURITANI, Metropolitan Opera  1976 (2)

                                  KHOVANSHCHINA, Metropolitan Opera, shot digitally in 2012
                                                BORIS, Metropolitan Opera 1982 (2)
It was always a pleasure documenting Ming's production, fun chatting with the family, total satisfaction seeing productions that did honor to the composer's intentions.  I'm sorry the earlier productions could not have been shot with the digital tools we have today.

Dear Ming, THANK YOU.  Condolences to the Lee family, all the friends, all the students who were inspired by Ming's integrity.