Nicolai Gedda RIP

Into the files again with a heavy heart. Another elegant singer has died, wonderful Nicolai Gedda, always a joy to hear and watch. It's not possible to scan everything. I haven't included Traviata or Pique Dame or the tenor in Rosenkavalier. Here are a few memories,  samples of the fun and joy when Gedda was on stage.  First Belmonte in ENTFUHRUNG, Oct. 1979.

 Riccardo in BALLO IN MASCHERA Oct. 1975

BARTERED BRIDE Oct. 1978, Teresa Stratas as Marenka and Gedda as Jenik

Fun time, CARMEN Dec. 1967, Grace Bumbry as Carmen and Gedda as Jose

Faust Dec. 1972

The last scene  FAUST with Colette Boky as Marguerite

From Oct. 1965, the old Met,  Robert Merrill as Valentine, Gedda as Faust, Cesare Siepi as Mephistophele. I heard every performance

Gedda as Ottavio, DON GIOVANNI Sept. 1972

Lensky in EUGENE ONEGIN Oct. 1977

Fun time, DON PASQUALE Dec. 1978,  Gedda as Ernesto with Gabriel Bacquier as Don Pasquale

And PASQUALE again, Gedda and Beverly Sills as Norina

                Finally VESPRI, Jan. 1974,  Caballe as Helene and Gedda as Henri
        I'm eternally grateful for having heard all this wonderful singing. RIP sweet Nicolai.

Roberta Peters, on stage

My Peters archive  is not enormous. Here are a few special memories. First BALLO IN MASCHERA, Oct. 1975, Act I with Nicolai Gedda as Riccardo, Peters as Oscar, then the final act, the death scene, add Teresa Kubiak as Amelia.

DON GIOVANNI, Sherill Milnes, Peters as Zerlina, "La ci darem la Mano"  Sept. 1974

DON PASQUALE, Feb. 1980, Peters as Norina

L'ELISIR D'AMORE, Act I, Peters as Adina, Sept. 1973

Finally FIDELIO, Act I Dec. 1983,  Matti Salminen as Rocco, Peters as Marcellina, Eva Marton as Leonore.
Wonderful memories.

Roberta Peters, RIP

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Roberta Peters. It will take a few days to scan stage shots. In the meantime a few more recent candid images can be shared. First, after the Levine Tribute Sept. 15, 2009 with Levine and her husband, Bert Fields.

At an MOG talk with family portrait projected behind dais, Nov. 10, 2011

After MOG talk signing libretto for the famous Marian Anderson BALLO is which she was Oscar, with fan and Paul Gruber, MOG Host

At Stratas Tribute  Sept. 15, 2008 with Roz Elias and Nora London

                                         With Stratas at reception. This was also a love fest.
Stage images will be scanned soon.
Dear Roberta Peters, RIP.

John DelCarlo

Some deaths really hit you in the guts. This one does that. Great performer, sweet person, JOHN DEL CARLO has passed away.   These are just a few images from his varied performances, always a delight. First the Prince in ADRIANNA 2009.

Dr. Bartolo in BARBER 2006 and 2012

Benoit in BOHEME 2015

Dr. Bartolo in FIGARO 2003

Swallow in PETER GRIMES 2008

Fritz Kothner in MEISTERSINGER 2007

                                      Finally Don Pasquale in opera of same name, 2010
                                     RIP John, and thanks for so much musical pleasure.

Johan Botha, RIP

It is with enormous sorrow that I post these few images of Johan Botha, always exciting to hear and watch on stage, a towering talent. First - Radames (Aida)  Oct. 2009

Don Carlo, Nov. 2006

Walther in Meistersinger 2007 and 2014, Act I

Act III, ii

Otello in 2008 and 2012, first Act I

Act III

Tannhauser, Act I,ii  October 2015

Tannhauser Act II

Tannhauser  Act III

Calaf in Turandot 2005, Act II

Siegmund, Walkure, Act I  2009

End of Act I with Waltraut Meier as Sieglinde  2009

                                           Reception, Tully Hall, Sept. 2009.  Loved the tie.
                                                         Dear Johan,  RIP.  Loved you.

Maralin Niska RIP

It is with enormous sadness that I'm posting these few MARALIN NISKA performance images. Sadly Maralin passed away the night of July 8th.  She was a powerhouse on stage, dedicated to her craft, generous in sharing her knowledge and a treasured friend. It's impossible to scan everything. There isn't enough time. These are but a few memorable moments.  First the iconic Elena Makropolus, Act I, NYC Opera.  1970

FANCIULLA DEL WEST, Minnie with Ermano Mauro as Johnson, end Act II, 1977

Marguerita in FAUST, final scene, 1969

BOHEME at the Met 1973 with Corelli in the background as Rodolfo

BUTTERFLY, Act II with Christopher Lee as her child

MANON LESCAUT, Act II  1974 with Michele Molese as DesGrieux

MEDEA  1974

SALOME and head, Mar. 21, 1975

TOSCA at the Met, Sept. 1974 with Peter Glossop as Scarpia

TURN OF THE SCREW, April 1971, the Governess with Robert Puleo as Miles

                                                        VOIX HUMAINE   April 1977
Always wonderful, inspiring.  Dear Maralin, RIP.