John Aler RIP

John Aler was first in my camera at Juilliard, the American Opera Center, DON PASQUALE,  as Ernest Dec. 1972. Sweet sweet voice, two images. I studied the contact sheets and was surprised to see that Jimmy Conlon was the young conductor and Gian Carlo Menotti did the staging.
 

Now we jump to 1981 and 1982 New York City Opera PURITANI, with Gianna Rolandi as Elvira and John as Arturo.  In this image kneeling on right is Raven Wilkinson.  At that time I did not know about her important ballet career. See Christy Copeland's ballet book to learn about Raven.

This image is also from Puritani, March 1982. Ashley Putnam was the Elvira. Shooting from the wings was very hard due to the set construction which blocked view.

Dear John, I'm so glad you had a successful career.  To friends and family my heartfelt condolences.

Joanna Simon RIP

All of the stage images are New York City Opera at the State Theater, many actual performances. First BOMARZO, March 1968 as Pantasilea.
 

Also Pantasilea with Savador Novoa as Pier Francisco Orsini.

TALES OF HOFFMANN, Giulietta.  April 1980

Also TALES OF HOFFMANN with Samuel Ramey as Dapertutto

NAUGHTY MARIETTA, as Ada Le Clercq,  September 1978

Finally NABUCCO, as Fenena and with Justino Diaz as Zaccaria   September 1981

At the 2004 New York City Opera Reunion at Tavern on the Green with Jose Varona and Muriel Costa Greenspon.

Fond memories. My heart goes out to the family and friends.    Dear Joanna, thank you.

Teresa Berganza RIP

Teresa Berganza passed away last week.  These few images are from early recitals in New York City. First, Jan. 11m 1964 at the Hunter College Auditorium.
 

From Dec. 3, 1966 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Auditorium

Finally from February 1, 1967 at Philharmonic Hall. Her accompanist was always Felix Lavilla. I was a member of the audience for each of the recitals, thrilled to be there.  No fancy dresses, no jewelry, nothing to distract from the honor to the music. Each recital was exquisite- intimate, perfect, delightful.  Her heritage will live forever. 

Dear Madam Berganza, THANK YOU.

When I knew very little

I didn't start out knowing what I was doing. It took years to master camera skills, but the love for the subjects were always there.  This morning I was surfing through a negative file and came upon a few goodies.  Dec. 23, 1963 Carnegie Hall backstage, Jean Madeira with ???
 

FALSTAFF, March 6, 1964  Judith Raskin as Nanette, curtain call. I had a bit more skill that day.

And finally, no memory of having taken this, stage door, old Met, snowy day, Jan. 18, 1964 before TROVATORE matinee, the great Leontyne Price  (Leonore) with ?????

There are lots of forgotten treasures in the files, not photographic perfection, but total emotion.

Jim Billiings, an odds and end group

I went through the New York City Opera annals last night to see if I had missed anything for Jim Billings. I couldn't find anything from Love for Three Oranges , or Rigoletto (Marullo). He may have been masked, or Fanciulla, (Castro), but I did find a couple of goodies.  The  hunchback bass fiddle player in VILLAGE ROMEO, Oct. 6, 1973.  Sandy (Irwin) Densen is to his left, a fruit man.
 

From MERRY WIDOW, Njegus  April 2, 1978

This last group is the funniest. Fred Plotkin commented that Jim had been the Old Badger in CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN in 1981.  Lots of animals in this opera, children and adults. I've never gone on a Badger hunt before. The Vixen was Gianna Rolandi. Lots of pictures of her, easy to spot, because her face was visible. But find a  badger amid the animal mob?  This as a first.

There he is, a Badger, face partially hidden.  No question it's Jim.

I may find more James Billing pictures in the future when I plow through odd-lot contact sheets, but for now this a fun way to pause. My first badger hunt.

James Billing, RIP, Part Three

TURK IN ITALY , Sept 1978, as Geronio with Beverly Sills as Fiorilla
 

MEISTERSINGER, October 1975, as Beckmesser with Norman Bailey as Hans Sachs.

I could never take my eyes off Jim. There was so much emotion, personality.  These were wonderful performances and the audiences felt it. To all the friends and family my heartfelt condolences.  Jim, you're in my heart forever. Thank you.   RIP

James Billing RIP, Part Two

This is the Gilbert and Sullivan group. THE MIKADO, Sept. 1975. KoKo
 

Ara Berberian as Poo Bah,  Jim as KoKo  and Tom Jamerson as Pish Tush

Jim with Katisha,  Betty Allen.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, March 1977, Major General Stanley.

with Josephine, Diana Soviero

H.M.S. PINAFORE, September 1975, Sir Joseph Porter with chorister Marie Young.

with Richard McKee as the Pirate King

I have no memory of this dance sequence, but pictures don't lie. The solo dancer is Mikhail Konogodsky

Truth is better than fiction.

Posed images for PIRATES.  Henry Price as Fredric, Gianna Rolandi as Mabel and Jim

Major General Stanley and  Fredric.  Primitive studio lighting, but big time fun.

To be continued.