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.

James Billing, RIP Part One

James Billing has passed away at the age of 89. I adored him in every role he did. This first part will include operas  for which I have fewer pictures.  ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, Sept. 1982, the Major Domo, a spoken role.   These are all New York City Opera image.
 

MADAM ADARE,  Oct. 9, 1980. Jim was the Agent. I have forgotten the story.

BELLE HELENE  October 26, 1976, Menelaus with Karen Armstrong as Helen. John Lankston is in the background.

CENERENTOLA, Oct. 1980, Don Magnifico, the father

Suzanne Marsee was Angelina and Rocky Blake was the Prince

FALSTAFF, Oct. 1979, a real cute Bardolfo

FLEDERMAUS, Act II, as Prince Orlofsky, Sept. 1980,  In the background are Alan Titus, Eisenstein,

and Maddy Mines and Louis Perry, choristers, guests at the party.

TALES OF HOFFMANN, 1975, Spalanzani, With Sam Ramey as Coppelius and June Anderson as Olympia.

THE IMPRESARIO, April 1977, as Mr. Bluff and below with Paula Seibel as Miss Silverpeal,  Nico Castel as  Mr. Angel and Patricia Brooks as Madam Goldentrill.

THE STUDENT PRINCE, as Lutz with Muriel Costa Greenspon as Grand Duchess Anastasia, August 1980

To be continued with the greatest of pleasure..It's happy memory time.