He died on september 2, 1997 in new york city, new york, usa. He oversaw the metropolitan opera in nyc from 19501972, including the move from the old met to lincoln center. A baritone, he was a leading artist for many years with the metropolitan opera in new york city. Sir rudolf bing he had been knighted by queen elizabeth in 1971 retired from the metropolitan opera at the end of the 197172 season. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite reads in more than a dozen categories. Manager 1928 knighthood 1971 naturalized uk citizen 1946 competency hearing regarding his will 12jan1987 risk factors. Rudolf bing was the general manager of the metropolitan opera from 1950 to 1972, a very pivotal period in the companys history. A knight at the opera by bing, rudolf and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This book is a mine of information and not just about the new york met but about people and at times. Adventures of the metropolitan on tour, 18831956, 1957 fitzgerald, gerald, annals of. The book is chock full of great stories about the leading singers and conductors of the day.
After finishing her education in zagreb, milanov made her debut in 1927 in ljubljana as leonora in giuseppe verdis il trovatore. But then he received a most remarkable commission from conductor fritz busch. Book 5000 nights at the opera by sir r bing revd by d henahan. See all 8 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Much of the information in this post comes from rudolph bing s memoir, 5000 nights at the opera, published in 1972.
Volpe greatly admires director franco zeffirelli, though his sets sometimes needed some volpean adjustment to work properly. Much of his work can be documented with official correspondence that reveals him as a firm and witty letter writer. This book is a mine of information and not just about the new york met but about people and at times reveals their mindset such as regarding the prejudice against coloured artists, until broken by the author. In first nights at the opera, the renowned music scholar thomas kelly narrates the social history of european opera during its golden age by taking us behind the scenes at the premiere performances of five extraordinary and influential operas. Sir rudolf bing, for 22 of his 70 years the general man ager of the metropolitan opera, has just begun a new career as distinguished visit ing professor of music at brooklyn college.
In 1934, rudolf bing was an experienced opera house manager who had recently lost his job in germany as nazi influence grew. Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. The memoirs of sir rudolph bing by sir rudolph bing isbn. The bing yearsa witty, arrogant, forthright memoir the new. Sep 15, 2019 in 1934, rudolf bing was an experienced opera house manager who had recently lost his job in germany as nazi influence grew. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that bing, himself, made all the great accomplishments of the met during this period possible. This is the autobiography of sir rudolf bing, who served as the director of the metropolitan opera for 22 years in the middle of the 20th century, when it was truly in its prime. At the same time, he led a campaign to construct a permanent home for opera in new york, and in 1833 the italian opera house, the first purposebuilt opera theatre in the united states, opened, at.
As its general manager, he ran the place with an iron. The son of an austrian industrialist, bing grew up in a musical household and studied at the university of vienna. The bing yearsa witty, arrogant, forthright memoir the. Rudolf bing v maria callas he was the boss of the metropolitan opera in new york. He was naturalized as a british subject in 1946 and was knighted in 1971. She gave her final performance in 1966 at the closing night of the old metropolitan opera house. Sir rudolf bing, born january 9, 1902, vienna, austriadied september 2, 1997, yonkers, new york, u.
From 1928 to 1936, she was the leading soprano of the. Much of the information in this post comes from rudolph bings memoir, 5000 nights at the opera, published in 1972. I figured that the memoires of sir rudolf bing would make an exciting addition to my little opera library but this book fell short of my hopes. Rudolf bing was born on january 9, 1902 in vienna, austriahungary. As a young man, rudolf bing had tried his hand at various aspects of the theatrical world, from singer to artists. In her routines and in conversation, she would often describe her experiences working for the imperious sir rudolf bing at the metropolitan opera. Volpe greatly admires director franco zeffirelli, though his sets.
Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, opera was the grandest entertainment in western culture. Highlights from metropolitan opera gala honouring sir. No criticisms regarding the author, but it is a very great pity. Fair, 360 numbered pages, that were lightly read, and are clean and tight to the spine, shelf, edge and corner wear.
The lives and adventures of americas great singers in opera and concert from 1825 to the present anchor, 1999. He cannot exist until somebody does something, which is an unhappy, frustrating set of circumstances. The last phrases of the song are set to the words, al paganini g. The next couple of months were the darkest i knew, he later wrote in his autobiography 5000 nights at the opera. Publication date 1972 topics bing, rudolf, 19021997, impresarios publisher garden city, n. Rudolf bing was general manager of the metropolitan opera from 1950 to 1972. It is quite readable and conveys the excitement and woes of managing a major opera house. He was married to carroll douglass and nina schelemskayaschlesnaya. Adventures of the metropolitan on tour, 18831956, 1957 fitzgerald, gerald, annals of the metropolitan opera, 18831985, 1989. You have some very interesting stories about him and especially about a confrontation with a stage director. A strong leader, he took complete responsibility for running the company. Jun 11, 2015 one response to 5000 nights at the opera, sir rudolf bing lucy e.
See all 7 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. That is true, certainly, but the book covers considerably more ground than that. As its general manager, he ran the place with an iron hand, and woe betide diva or conductor or anyone who crossed him. New york metropolitan opera general manager 195072 municipal opera, berlin asst.
What other items do customers buy after viewing this item. Rudolf bing onstage with baritone leonard warren during a break in otello. Rudolf bing in german from the archive of the osterreichische mediathek. Buy 5000 nights at the opera illustrated edition by bing, rudolf isbn. Rudolph bing was a key figure in opera production from the 1930s into the 1970s.
One response to 5000 nights at the opera, sir rudolf bing lucy e. Bing, rudolf, 5000 nights at the opera, 1972 eaton, quaintance, opera caravan. Incidentally, she is mentioned only in passing in bings book 5000 nights at the opera, and then not by name. Anyone, who has ever heard an old met broadcast, probably knows the voices and names of george cehanovsky 18921986, frank valentino 19071991 or frank guarrera 19232007. Sir rudolf bing, kbe january 9, 1902 september 2, 1997 was an austrianborn opera impresario who worked in germany, the united kingdom and the united states, most notably being general manager of the metropolitan opera in new york city from 1950 to 1972. Opera new, used and rare books and ephemera at biblio.
Mar 14, 2019 anyone, who has ever heard an old met broadcast, probably knows the voices and names of george cehanovsky 18921986, frank valentino 19071991 or frank guarrera 19232007. Psychologically, the position of the critic is very difficult. Ships directly from amazon and is eligible for prime or super saver free shipping. For 22 years, sir rudolf bing was the metropolitan opera. If you love opera and i do this book is a must read. But that didnt stop him from sacking her in 1958 after they failed to. As the worlds largest independent marketplace for new, used and rare books, you always get the best in service and value when you buy from, and all of your purchases are backed by our return guarantee. After leaving the met, bing wrote two books of memoirs, 5000 nights at the opera 1972 and a knight at the opera 1981.
This book then goes on to explain the trouble rosa went through after her first arrest. In sir rudolf bings 5000 nights at the opera there is a photograph of the author sitting all alone in the old metropolitan opera house, a solitary figure in a sea of. Sir rudolf really has nothing of substance to add to his 5000 nights at the opera memoirso this slight volume is a sad. Rudolf bing did not spend 5,000 nights at the opera, but he did have an eye for a pretty dancer. Having worked as a voice teacher while still performing, milanov devoted herself to teaching after her retirement. You began there during the days of generl manager rudolf bing.
I purchase this old book the copy i got is an original 1972 first edition print because as an avid opera buff and singer, i love to read a out all things opera. Milanov returned to the metropolitan opera the same year, invited by rudolf bing in his first year there as general manager. Sir rudolf bing, british operatic impresario who oversaw the metropolitan opera in new york city for 22 years 195072 as general manager. Politics world business tech health time health entertainment science newsfeed living sports history the time vault magazine ideas time labs photography videos the goods press room the 100 most influential people next generation leaders person of the year top of the world. The memoirs of sir rudolf bing hardcover january 1, 1972 by sir rudolf bing author 4. In rudolf bings book 5000 nights at the opera, he had this to say about critics. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Sep 21, 1972 sir rudolf bing, for 22 of his 70 years the general man ager of the metropolitan opera, has just begun a new career as distinguished visit ing professor of music at brooklyn college. There are flat onesentence descriptions of dozens of singers, many of them mere testimonials. This number is a parlor song written by puccini in 1888, and he recycled the main melody later for addio dolce svegaliare. The great brigit nilsson said of him, when bing retires hell be missed, even if people dont like him now. May 17, 1906 may 30, 1989 was an american operatic dramatic soprano who had a major career centered on the metropolitan opera in new york city. Leonard warren april 21, 1911 march 4, 1960 was an american opera singer.