Cecilia Brauer, RIP

Cecilia Brauer was the Met pianist for many years. She was also Ray Gniewek's sister. She passed away this month shortly after her brother died.  I first became aware of Cecilia during a 2007 LUCIA. Her glass armonica accompanied Lucia in the mad scene.  If you ever had any doubt that Lucia was "bats in the belfry" you only had to listen to the eerie sound of this instrument.  Not every conductor wants the glass armonica during this scene. I can't imagine the Mad Scene without it.  Cecilia was very generous in sharing her knowledge of the instrument.  Glass, water, large size...  just imagine traveling with one of these.

 

To Cecilia thank you for the extraordinary lesson and huge pleasure.     RIP.

Edita Gruberova, RIP

This is the Memory Keeper checking in again this time for EDITA GRUBEROVA  who passed away Oct. 18, 2021.  She was only in my lens for four operas, so this time I've selected several favorite moments.  First Zerbinetta in ARIADNE Feb. 1979, the only comedy I saw her do.
 

With John Garrison as Brighella.

LUCIA September 1988 with Francisco Araiza as Edgardo

While the coverage was in 1988 I created the multiple exposure in 1991. The print has sat in file since then.

PURITANI  Mar. 1991, Elvira, also with Paul Pishka as Giorgio.

TRAVIATA   Oct. 1989  Violetta  Act I

With Neil Shicoff as Alfredo

                  Act II  Traviata

              Act III Traviata

To the many friends, fans, family members my heartfelt condolences. It was a joy documenting the greatness of this artist.

Karan Armstrong RIP

Sadly, Karan Armstrong passed away Sept. 28, 2021 in Spain. She had a strong career in Europe. MY archive covers her New York City Opera years. Time to stroll through Memory Lane.  ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO Nov. 4, 1969, Blondchen. Osmin is in profile, Herbert Beattie and Pedrillo has his back t camera, Ken Riegel.
 

LA BELLE HELENE Sept., 1969, Karan as Helene, Jim Billings as Menelaus and Henry Price as Paris,

zany fun Offenbach.

COQ D'OR  Sept. 1969 as Queen Shamakha

FANCIULLA DEL WEST, Nov. 11, 1977, pistol packing Minnie

Act I of FLEDERMAUS, Oct. 12, 1975 Rosalinde

L'HEURE ESPAGNOL, June 24, 1969  as Conception, Ken Riegel as Gonzalve

TRAVIATA  Aug, 30, 1975, Violetta. This was the hardest set to scan, because for some dumb reason I used a large format camera, never did a contact sheet and had to scan these on a flat bed scanner. recalled to life as these have not  been touched since developed.

It's always fun watching a performer at the early stages of a career.  These were special performances. To all the fans, family, colleagues my heartfelt condolences.