Ekkehard Wlaschiha, RIP

The great baritone Ekkehard Wlaschiha has passed away. It was always fun watching him at work and listening to him. I suspect he was best known as Alberich, here in 1997 and 2000, RHEINGOLD

Alberich in SIEGFRIED with James Morris as the Wanderer 1990

As Amfortas in PARSIFAL 1991 with Robert Lloyd as Gurnemanz

As Klingsor in PARSIFAL  2001

1990 as Jochanann in SALOME with Hildegard Behrens in the title role

           And finally as evil Don Pizarro in FIDELIO in 1992
           It was an honor photographing this artist.

Montserrat Caballe, RIP

Moinserrat Caballe has passed away. It was always fun when she was on stage, glorious singing and acting as she saw fit. I've selected a few moments. This could easily have been a 100 picture post.  First ADRIANNA IN 1978

The same with Carreras

ARIADNE with Ruthie Welting as Zerbinetta, 1976

Also ARIADNE, Remedios in background

The Bing Gala 1972 with Domingo

Norma in 1973

and with Cossotto

Tosca in 1985 with Pavarotti

Trovatore, Leonore 1973 and with Domingo

Vespri with Gedda, then alone and then Diaz, 1974

Opera Shop signing her own picture and camping around April 2005

Dear lady, thank you, RIP.

John Lankston, RIP

Sadly John Lankston, a stalwart of the New York City Opera has died. Evil, comic, eerie, loving...  he did everything and always was a delight on stage. It takes hours to locate pictures, scan, then tweek. Here are a few memories from live New York City Opera performances. ABDUCTION, Pedrillo in 1970.

The title role in ASHMEDAI 1976

From ALBERT HERRING 1971, Sandra Darling as Miss Wordsworth, John as Mr. Upfold and Ellen Faull as Lady Billows

John as Koko in the Mikado, the profile is Richard Wentworth 1968

As Craccio in STUDENT OF SALAMANCA 1980

Narraboth in SALOME 1975

Quint in TURN OF THE SCREW  1975

Officer Olin in SILVERLAKE  1980

For sentimental reasons TRAVIATA 1969, John as Gaston with Michele Molese as Alfredo.
Dear John, R.I.P.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky RIP

It's with a heavy heart that I post these few images of Dmitri Hvorostovsky who lost his battle to brain cancer. He was a gem, a treasure. Whatever he did he made you smile.  I can't post everything, too many images. These are just a few favorite moments. First Renato in BALLO 2007.

Simon Boccanegra in 2011

Two images from DON CARLO, 2006, first alone as Rodrigo and then with Johan Botha as Don Carlo. Both men died too young.

As Don Carlo in ERNANI  2012

Valentin in FAUST 2005

Two images from ONEGIN  2007, title role

Yeletsky in QUEEN OF SPADES 1995

Germont in TRAVIATA 2004

Count di Luna in TROVATORE 2009

WAR AND PEACE, Andrey, 2002 start of opera and then with Anna Netrebko as Natasha

Candid moments, the rehearsal for the Volpe Gala in 2006

Trovatore curtain call, 2009

MOG Interview 2012

A performer makes the pictures. It was always a joy when Dmitri was on stage. Great artist. Fabulous human being. To his family and his many friends my heartfelt condolences.