Gilda Cruz-Romo RIP

Sadly, sweet Gilda has passed to Heaven. Our friendship began in 1969, New York City Opera. We were in touch  until the day before she died.  Her New York City Opera debut was in MEFISTOFELE, Marguerita and Elena. Shot from the wings.
 

BOHEME, Mimi 1970

BUTTERFLY  1970

Amelia in BALLO 1971

BALLO with Louis Quilico

TOSCA 1971

On to the Metropolitan Opera, MANON LESCAUT  1973

LESCAUT with Carlos Motane as Des Grieux

AIDA  1978 with Louis Quilico and Carlo Bergonzi

OTELLO 1978 as Desdemona with Domingo as Otello

BUTTERFLY 1981

SUOR ANGELICA 1975,  in rehearsal with Fabrizio Milano, the director and Lili Chookasian, the Princess.

On stage SUOR ANGELICA. 1975

A couple of candid shots from 1970 and 1974

There are clips of Gilda singing on You Tube. She was an exquisite artist, ;later a dedicated teacher. She lived by  honor to music, .. integrity,  knowing the composer's wishes,  no sloppiness permitted. As a person she was a joy,- down to earth, empathetic, with a great sense of humor.  She was the most gentle, brave person I ever knew.  Friendship is hard work. We were pals through thick and thin, hard and easy. Her final words after every phone call, (almost every day for years), "I love you. Thank you for being my friend". The feelings were mutual.

Dear Gilda, I know you are at peace now with Bob. I'm glad, but I'll miss you forever.

                                                                      RIP

Stuart Burrows RIP

Stuart Burrows has died. He was an elegant tenor. He was in my lens at the Met in the 70s, every performance a pleasure.  First- MADAM BUTTERFLY  1973 as Pinkerton with Leontyne Price as Butterfly.
 

With Robert Goodloe as Sharpless.

Don Ottavio, DON GIOVANNI  1974

FAUST 1976

Tamino in ZAUBERFLUTE  1972

With Ted Uppman as Papageno

FLUTE in 1976 with Donald Gramm as Papageno

With Sheila Nadler as the 3rd Lady

The quaint animals in 1973

TRAVIATA 1976 with Beverly Sills as Violetta and Stuart as Alfredo.

Images chosen from hundreds for the emotions and elegance.

Condolences to all. To Stuart sincere thanks. Glorious artistry.

                                                       RIP

LUIGI ALVA RIP, Part 2

ITALIANIA IN ALGERIERI      Nov. 1973, Luigi as Lindoro and Corena as the Pasha
 

with Weidinger

The hysterical line up, Weidinger, Alva, Horne. Corena, Love, Boucher, Uppman

BARBER OF SEVILLE,  Dec. 1973. Corena as Bartolo.Luigi as Almaviva, Von Stade as Rosina.

The music lesson, Alamaviva in disguise and Rosina

another googy line-up, Flagello, Alva, Corena, Cossa,Von Stade, Munser

Cossa as Figaro, Von Stade and Luigi. Time to escape..

Final curtain. Happy Time.

All the performances were special, - gorgeous singing, integrity to the score, total ensemble balance.

Total joy.

Dear Luigi. THANK YOU. RIP

Luigi Alva RIP- Part 1

The first time I heard Luigi Alva he was Fenton in FALSTAFF, 1964 through 1966. Delightful. This was 1966 with Mary Costa and Regina Resnick. Colzani was Falstaff.
 

The close of act II after Falstaff is dumped out the window. Lili Chookasian, Mildred Miller And Mary Costa. Luigi on the left

1972 with Jeannette Pilou as Nanetta.

1972, the forest scene.

1972 final ensemble- Luigi, Andrea Velis, Sir Geraint Evans as Falstaff,  andRichard Best

1971 L'ELISIR D'AMORE as Nemorino with Reri Grist as Adina.

First scene, the story telling in the village

With Dr. Dulcamara , Corena, trying to buy the elixir.

with Adina again

Evening, the ladies chorus an jug of elixir

To be continued. Tidbits of fun.

Leroy Lehr RIP

I learned this morning of the death of Leroy Lehr. He and his wife Veronicq Reed were across the Avenue neighbors before the moved west. Our paths crossed frequently.  To honor his career I've pulled representative images, all digital. First WERTHER, as Johann 2003.  Act II.
 

RAKE'S PROGRESS, last act 2003, as the Mad House Keeper, with Dawn Upshaw as Anne Truelove.

PELLEAS ET MELISANDE, 2005  as the Doctor, with Sophie von Otter as Melisande.

WAR AND PEACE,  2007 as a Valet

MEISTERSINGER,Act I, 2007 as Schwarz. Very helpful to have stage name tag.

THE GAMBLER, 2008, as a Fat English Man

LULU  2010 as a Servant

Last image, book signing with Sam Ramey to celebrate his new autobiography, Nov. 13, 2010 lobby of New York State Theater.  With Sam and Veronica Reed.

No time to scan images from Traviata, Queen of Spades, Susanna. Great Gatsby, Dr. Faust, Sly, Midsummer Night's Dream, Chenier, Salome, Tosca, Gioconda,

Leroy was a fun colleague to all. To friends, family and musical colleagues my heartfelt condolences.

Dear Leroy, thanks    RIP