The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 98

"m'mrmrm ftqm fl Sac. 5--Th Pittsburgh PrH, Sunday, Dac. 1963 Popular Opera xAida' Coming i mm mi mlr mrm-m I nv 1 rsN -v-x QSij i.l IAMJ LtCJ 3STE. LABO MR, HECHT MR. CORWIN MR.

BARDELLI Stars in "Aida" vhich will be makin its fifth Pittsburgh Opera shotting Cesare Bardelli, now in his sixth season with the Met has been a frequent performer here, and has also appeared with leading opera companies throughout the nation. He resides in New York with his wife and daughter and his hobby is raising fish. Joshua Hecht made his debut with the New York City Opera in 1955 and has been a leading member of the company since that time. A frequent operatic performer here, he has also appeared with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Hecut has a repertoire of 35 roles, all sung In the original language, and he has sung these roles in opera companies all over the nation and with the NBC-TV Theater.

Earl Corwin has appeared in countless local operas since making his debut here In 1951. A Pittsburgher, ha studied at Carnegie Tech and PCW Opera Workshop, WW In important vocal competition and waJ. soon engaged to sing at leading opera houses all over Itaiy and Austria. He is a bachelor and is the only male in a family of five sisters. Nell Rankin returns here after an absence of a few years.

She has been at the Met since 19M when she made her debut In "Aida," after an illustrous singing career in Europe. Born In Montgomery, she made her In Zurich In 1949. The following year she created a sensation when she became the first American to win first prize in an International vocal competition in Geneva. She got a 15-minute ovation at the contest. Thereafter, opera houses and concert, hall door throughout Europe opened wide to her.

Thi gifted artist has over 200 concert performances in Europe to her credit, as well as appearances with leading orchei.tr-s throughout the world. NELL RANKIX LUCILLE UD0V1CH Metropolitan Opera, international star to ting in Pittsburgh Opera production. Born in Denver, Miss Udovich grew up in California, studied in Italy and has spent practically all of her professional career In Europe. This season she will appear only here and New Orleans and then will return to Europe. The noted Italian tenor Beniamino Glgll did much to further her career, so Impressed was he with her talents while she was a student.

Lucille made her debut In Florence Upon leaving here she has opera and concert engage- He also has sung with the Bach Choir, local churches, ments in France, England, Germany, Austria, Italy and two club dates and banquets and in 1957 was the male lead in in Texas before returning to the Met for the remainder of "Love from Judy" at the Pittsburgh Playhouse which brok the season. all then existing attendance figures. in 1950 opposite Franco Corelll, and this was followed by successes at La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden in London By CARL A PONE Which opera leads the list In number of performances at the Metropolitan Opera? "Alda," the Giuseppe Verdi opera which will be performed by the Pittsburgh Opera in Syria Mosque on Thursday and Saturday. Introduced at the Met in 1886, "Aida" has been performed 472 times. Behind "Aida" in the list of most performed operas are: "La Boheme," 409; "Carmen," 380; "La Traviata," 330; "Pagliacei," 313; "Madame Butterfly," 304, and "Tristan und Isolde," 290.

The popularity which "Aida" enjoys at the Met also holds true here. This will be the fifth time "Aida" has been performed by Pittsburgh Opera during its 25-season history. Only "Carmen" (8), "La Boheme" (8), "La Traviata" (7) and "Tosca" (6) have been performed more. The great popularity of "Aida" In New York dates from and other leading opera houses. She frequently appears in the title role of "Turandof ALL JOHN BARGAIN STORES AM OPEN UNTIL 9 P.M.

EVERY NIGHT TILL CHRISTMAS and was selected to sing that role in composer Puccini's hometown on the 100th anniversary of Puccini's death. Miss Udovich made her American debut in 1960 at Houston in "Turandot" opposite Richard Tucker. She also mm mmmmmmmm- gm 5.. fEk' MM ni-f-Ji-m 1 a -s. Am appeared with the San Francisco and Philadelphia opera com panies.

This season she returns to Europe for singing engagements in Portugal, Spain and Italy. Mr. Labo appeared here last season and sang beautifully as Rodolfo In "La Boheme." He made his Met debut um PRE-hOUDAY 1903 when the great Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso, assumed the role of Radames. Playing the role of Radames here will be Flaviano La bo, one of three Met stars to appear in "Alda." The others are Music in the 195738 season and since that time has been leading tenor there. In addition to singing at the Met, he has made numerous appearances witn opera companies throughout the nation.

Labo began singing In public at the age of eight in his hometown of Piacenza, Italy. A prominent maestro heard teenager Labo sing at a party and arranged for him to Nell Rankin, Cesaie Bardelli. All three have appeared here previously. The only newcomer here among; the principals will be Lucille Udovich, an international star who will play the title role. aiuay at la acaia.

as a student he won five first prizes mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm New Holiday Releases Christmas Albums Offer Wide Choice By WILLIAM K. TROSENE Never has there been a wider or more varied eludes the finest of hymns: Christmas, Santa Claus is selection of Christmas records than is available this nLllfvAS ConJ hing, come All Ye I aith- Jackie Wilson is great on his year. ful, Joy to the World, The contribution "3Ierry Christ- Record Shop Shelves literally are busting at the First Noel, Silent Night, Holy mas from Jackie Wilson." His seams with new releases, the album jackets flaming with the bright colors of the holiday season. iNiKiii an uune ueauuiuiiy. lull voice blends Well With Wayne King, Bert Kaemp- silent Night, Little Town fert and Jackie Wilson all of Bethlehem and I'll Be have albums on the Decca Home for Christmas.

label. A CaDSllle rundown nn nfhor and "The Glory of Christmas" with The Eric Rogers Chorale and Orchestra. Montovanl plays It Came "Have Yourself a Merry top Christmas albums: There are Instrumental, glee clubs, single vocals, organ Upon a Midnight Clear. 1 nnns ns wayne King "Songs of Christmas" with the type of Christmas Thou That Tellest Good Tid- Flaying songs like 1 11 Be Johnny Mathis sings God Rest sonff vou nrpfer whether it he Intra Jintrlp TKei ani nn Home for Christmas, Let It Ye Merrv Gentlemen and Ru. traditional hymns, popular or inal'by the orchestra leader, Snow and others that set the c0lph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Bells.

Ior lne eaion- on a Mercury release. novelty. The Eric Rogers offering is th uHth "ff wr 6 the Kaempfert orchestra with Christmas" The Harry Sime- London has two beautiful albums in "Christmas Greetings from Montovanl" na uisuncuve aouim ana 0ne Chorale with Sleigh Ride, iimup jor sipreo. jl in- ranKemenLs jnciuups vvimt? Have Yourself a Merry Christ mas and others. Mercury.

"Christmas With The Plat. lers- ine natters witn a ft mtmst' llll I i. 'y IHHMTS Iff if mk I COTON FUNNELS 1 fJS rtOTi 1 sfff tllil nrmN. f. 'JSVI Ml lush treatment of Winter Wonderland, White Christmas and for New Year's For Auld Lang Syne.

Mercury. "The Organ Plays at Christmas" Ken Griffin with Joy to the World, Silent Night, Adeste Fideles, White Christmas and Here- Comes Santa Claus. Columbia. "Songs of Christmas" The Norman Luboff Choir sings six medleys of time-proven Christmas hymns. Columbia.

"This Christmas I Spend With You" Robert Goulet sings Silver Bells, Let It Snow, Ave Maria and Holy Night. Columbia. The Andy Williams Christmas Album" Andy sings The Holiday Season, The Christ mas Song, Away in a Manger, The First Noel and Silent Night. Columbia. Merry Christmas!" The New Christy Minstrels with a collection of songs not heard too often: Parson Brown, Tell Me, Sing Along With Santa, One Star and Beautiful City.

Columbia. "Christmas on the Ponder- osa" The cast of TV's Bonanza entertains the ranch with songs and stories of Christmas. Victor. flip A BOLIA-FtK CAPS Xlffj I 2 Txst IH SHIRTS iJyvJ mhml SHOOTER PLANT YOUR SAVINGS IN PITTSBURGH They grow fast and sure at Second Federal When you save your money at Second Federal, In your own home town, you're doing more than building up a nest egg for yourself. You're helping the whole conomy of your own Pittsburgh area.

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