Helen Vanni RIP

During my opera - learning years at the Old Met I heard and saw Helen Vanni as Berta 1962, Preziosilla 1961, Suzuki 1960, Magdalene 1962, Cherubino 1961, a Genie in Flute 1958. Each time I learned what it meant to perform beautifully, with dignity. Occasionally  we met and shared a few words. She was always gracious and would remember me from a previous chat. These were pre-camera days.   All artists lead busy lives. I never expected to be reembered.  I had not known that she passed away, March 5, 2023, until I saw her obituary in the coming June Opera News.  A flood of feelings came back.  I remember when she performed at New York City Opera, 1969. By then I was working as a professional. This was thrilling, someone who had meant so much.  Now I could memorialize her richness on stage. These are split seconds in time probably forgotten by most.  CAPRICCIO, September 25, 1969 as the Countess. In the first image WilliamMetcalf, Olivier, has his back to camera.  Four images from that performance, shot from wings with old Leica, film.
 

NOZZE DI FIGARO, the Countess, April 16, 1969, also live performance.

And from September 20, 1969.

Over the years our paths would cross for a few minutes. I treasure all those happy memories.

My heartfelt condolences to all the friends, family, colleagues.  

    RIP

Ballad of Baby Doe 1966

There's an article coming in the June 2023 issue of Opera News about Twentieth Century American Opera by Fred Cohn.  Good article. Included in this article is a cropped  version of the above from Mar. 12, 1966.

It's the other people in the picture that caught my eye. I don't know the two gentlemen on the left, possible supers, but the rest, from left to right, Dick Parks with Carnation in lapel, Don Henderson behind Beverly,  and on the right Dan Kingman with Anthea DeForest, Anne Pretzat on extreme right and in shadow Harriet Green and Sharon Claveau.
 

As longas  had the contact sheet I looked further. Holy cow!  From left to right, Bob Kelly,  Ron Bentley, Walter Cassell as Horace Tabor, then who else but Joaquin Romaguera as a chorister, Anne Pretzat, Maggie Goodman behind her and then Hannah Owen.  Of this group Maggie, Anne and Hannah are still alive.

This production was sticks and bones, no translation machines, no video. The audience got it, ate it up.

HAPPY MEMORY, live performance.

Old Traviatra

I decided to look at old Traviata contact sheets suspecting I'd find pictures of Joaquin Romaguera. I found much more than that. Mar. 26, 1967, Act III, the dancers.  I'm not a good dance photographer, do't know enough about dance. I don't know the names here, but they deserve to be remembered.
 

I think this is Maria Alba.

Act I, Joaquin was a member of the chorus, Sept. 15, 1967 with Arlene Adler

Act III, Tibor Kelen is Alfredo with Diane Kehrig, Mar. 23, 1968. In background, Karl Krause, Dick Parks and Maria West, also Joaquin

Same moment. Oct. 19, 1968.

Oct. 25, 1968  Muriel Greenspon was Flora, Joaquin behind her.  This was before she was married.

In 1971 Joaquin was doing solo parts,  images posed in dressing room, Giuseppe, Mar. 28, 1971

He could even have been in "Fiddler on the Roof" in this get-up.

Fun memories from Traviata. New York City Opera.

More Romaguera images

Back into the files.... surely there will be something in CARMEN even though it's not in my data base. Voila,... 1967  Joaquin was a member of the chorus.  I didn't really know who I was photographing, just watching faces from the wings.
 

At another 1967 performance, goofing around with Jodell Kenting another chorus member.

I love this one..  also 1967, Bob Kelly on the left. He went on to join the chorus at the Met. Hugette Touraugeau was the Carmen, Joaquin behind her..

Joaquin, next to him Maria West, in front Anthea DeForest and behind her Joan August who was married to Dan Kingman.

In 1971 Juaquin assumed  proper roles, no longer a chorister.  Here he is as Lillas Pastia, shot in dressing room.

I know I'll find more images when I'm not looking for them. This is a fun post for New York City Opera friends and family.

One more Romaguera image

 I didn't always include secondary roles in my data base, so BOHEME, Sept. 7, 1974 slipped through the cracks.  After the previous Romaguera post someone mentioned remembering him singing Parpignol.   Into the files.Sure enough. One picture.  It was hard to catch this short crowded moment. It's possible that the child in scarf is one of Carol Skarimbas's sons. I could be wrong. I don't know the other child. Split second in time captured forever.

Joaquin Romaguera RIP

Joaquin Romaguera was a spirited  character singer with New York City Opera. He was in my lens from 1968- 1975. I've dug in my files for representative roles.  First Goro in MADAM BUTTERFLY, April 25, 1975 with Gaetano Scano as Pinkerton.
  

Don Curzio in MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, April 19, 1969  with David Clatworthy as the Count, Act III.

Monostatos in MAGIC FLUTE Mar. 16, 1969, head shot done in dressing room during intermission.

MOST IMPORTANT MAN By Menotti, March 7, 1971, from left too right, John Lankston, Joaquin (Standing), Tom Jamerson, Don Yule, William Ledbetter, Jack Bittner and standing, Harry Theyard and Eugene Holmes

From NINE RIVERS FROM JORDAN by Hugo Weisgal, Oct. 9, 1968, a Dead Man. I don't remember the music or the story.

Images posted for  all the colleagues who were there.  It as fun.

My condolences to all the family members, colleagues, and friends.

Grace Bumbry RIP

 

From thousands of pictures I've tried to select a representative group showing Grace Bumbry's artistry. From 1972 AIDA, Amneris, with Martina Arroyo  as Aida.

Also AIDA with Sandor Konya as Radames  1972.

CARMEN 1967 , title role.

Also CARMEN with Sandor Konya as Don Jose.

CAVALLERIA, Santuzza  1974

DON CARLO, Eboli 1971

FORZA DEL DESTINO, Leonore,   1983 with Jose Carreras as Alvaro

also FORZA Giaoitti as Padre Guardiano

GIOCONDA, title role 1979

PORGY AND BESS, 1985 as Bess

And with Simon Estes as Porgy

SALOME 1973, title role, Robert Nagy in back as Herod

TANNAUSER 1977 as Venus with James McCracken in title role

Also Tannhauser

1981 MEDEA at New York City Opera.  With Diane Curry as Neris

Medea again.

NABUCCO,     New York City Opera 1981.  Abegaille.

Two performance images shot from wings.

Posed in Dressing room during intermission.

It's a wonderful feeling to be excited during a photo coverage. Happiness was Grace Bumbry on stage. Fun time. Exhilaration. It was possible to head to work inspired. Just think of that! These images are for all the friends, family, admirers, lovers of great opera.

Dear Grace, thank you with all of my heart.  Big hugs from Earth.      RIP