Thursday, December 9, 2021

Salavdor Novoa, RIP, part 2

This is the second part of the tribute to Salvador Novoa. He was a vibrant member of the New York City Opera family.  The previous post, BOMARZO, was from 1969. The rest are in chronological order. This is CARMEN, March 1967. All are NYC Opera at the State Theater. He is Don Jose.
 



GIANNI SCHICHI, Mar. 8, 1967 as Rinuccio. Beverly Sills as Lauretta.   This was the only time she did the three TRITTICO operas.

TOSCA  Oct. 1967 as Cavaradossi. Ed Pierson is Angelotti, posed shot as this was a closed set, no viewing from wings.
NYC Opera presented a ZARZUELLA at City Center, June 1969. I don't remember the story at all. I remember the soloists, but not their characters. I do remember roaches in the basement.

Salvador is with Nino Garcia.   Only color I have of Salvador.
LUCIA Nov. 1969 as Edgardo.  Beverly Sills in title role

MEFISTOFELE, March 1971,  old Faust, young Faust,  with Gilda Cruz Romo as Marguerite.


with the late great demonic Norman Treigle in the title role

DON RODRIGO, April 14, 1971 in title role.

It was always a pleasure having Salvador in my lens.  The audience was happy too.

To friends and family my heartfelt condolences.  

Salvador,   Thank you.     RIP

Salvador Novoa RIP

Sad news this morning. Salvador Novoa  has passed away. Opera people immediately remember BOMARZO, but he did many more roles.  I will be scanning all day, but wanted to post these immediately. Salvador as Bomarzo, then with Claramae Turner as Diana Orsini. Performance images from 1968.  Shot from wings.
 


Curtain call-  Salvador, Ginastera, the composer, and Maestro Julius Rudel.  This is history.... more than 50 years ago.  More images coming.

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Cecilia Brauer, RIP

Cecilia Brauer was the Met pianist for many years. She was also Ray Gniewek's sister. She passed away this month shortly after her brother died.  I first became aware of Cecilia during a 2007 LUCIA. Her glass armonica accompanied Lucia in the mad scene.  If you ever had any doubt that Lucia was "bats in the belfry" you only had to listen to the eerie sound of this instrument.  Not every conductor wants the glass armonica during this scene. I can't imagine the Mad Scene without it.  Cecilia was very generous in sharing her knowledge of the instrument.  Glass, water, large size...  just imagine traveling with one of these.

 



To Cecilia thank you for the extraordinary lesson and huge pleasure.     RIP.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Edita Gruberova, RIP

This is the Memory Keeper checking in again this time for EDITA GRUBEROVA  who passed away Oct. 18, 2021.  She was only in my lens for four operas, so this time I've selected several favorite moments.  First Zerbinetta in ARIADNE Feb. 1979, the only comedy I saw her do.
 

With John Garrison as Brighella.
LUCIA September 1988 with Francisco Araiza as Edgardo

While the coverage was in 1988 I created the multiple exposure in 1991. The print has sat in file since then.
PURITANI  Mar. 1991, Elvira, also with Paul Pishka as Giorgio.



TRAVIATA   Oct. 1989  Violetta  Act I
With Neil Shicoff as Alfredo

                  Act II  Traviata
              Act III Traviata
To the many friends, fans, family members my heartfelt condolences. It was a joy documenting the greatness of this artist.

Monday, October 4, 2021

Karan Armstrong RIP

Sadly, Karan Armstrong passed away Sept. 28, 2021 in Spain. She had a strong career in Europe. MY archive covers her New York City Opera years. Time to stroll through Memory Lane.  ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO Nov. 4, 1969, Blondchen. Osmin is in profile, Herbert Beattie and Pedrillo has his back t camera, Ken Riegel.
 

LA BELLE HELENE Sept., 1969, Karan as Helene, Jim Billings as Menelaus and Henry Price as Paris,

zany fun Offenbach.


COQ D'OR  Sept. 1969 as Queen Shamakha

FANCIULLA DEL WEST, Nov. 11, 1977, pistol packing Minnie
Act I of FLEDERMAUS, Oct. 12, 1975 Rosalinde
L'HEURE ESPAGNOL, June 24, 1969  as Conception, Ken Riegel as Gonzalve
TRAVIATA  Aug, 30, 1975, Violetta. This was the hardest set to scan, because for some dumb reason I used a large format camera, never did a contact sheet and had to scan these on a flat bed scanner. recalled to life as these have not  been touched since developed.

It's always fun watching a performer at the early stages of a career.  These were special performances. To all the fans, family, colleagues my heartfelt condolences.

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Norman Bailey, RIP

The first time the camera captured Norman Bailey was October and November 1975, New York City Opera, Hans Sachs, MEISTERSINGER.  It was love at first sight. I'll never forget those performances.
 


Onto the Met, Jan. 1977, Wotan in darker than dark WALKURE. Rita Hunter was Brunhilde.

Dec. 1978 Oreste in ELEKTRA. Danica Mastilovic was Elektra.  For no particular reason I experimented with one roll of color negative film.


Finally as Monterone in the ENO production of RIGOLETTO set in Little Italy, June 1984. Rigoletto was John Rawnsley.

Norman Bailey was one of those performers who really turned me on. To his family, many friends, colleagues, students my heartfelt condolences. Norman, thank you!!!   RIP