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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · 13d

He would have been 90 today. The beauty of his voice and the natural enjoyment of singing was remarkable.

youtu.be/4Nv-GnhNVRo?...

Young Pavarotti Amazing!

YouTube video by Tel Aviv Israel

youtu.be

Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Jul 4

It’s the 4th of July and I think I’ll watch Miracle on 34th St.

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Jun 8

There have been many consequential Opéra recordings, but there isn’t one that I return to more frequently than this one. Historic and wonderful. #solti #wagner #rheingold

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · May 16

One of the last of a generation, gone. A wonderful, elegant singer and a paragon Rossinian and Mozart singer.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/a...

Luigi Alva, Elegant Tenor With a Lighthearted Touch, Dies at 98

www.nytimes.com

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Apr 27

Opera in the Park. Enjoying a beautiful sunny day and Cavalleria rusticana. #sarasotaopera

Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Apr 20

Good Friday listening. Münchinger’s Matthew Passion and the heartbreakingly beautiful singing of Wunderlich (Ameling, Pears, Prey, and Krause are pretty wonderful too) even if the interpretation is a bit old fashioned. And an impressive Parsifal from Barenboim et. al.

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 22

I’m skipping ahead one volume to listen to the lovely Edith Mathis who just passed. She was always a favorite of mine. #schubert #lieder #rip

Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 21

Just catching up on posting my listening for the last week. Four volumes of the Schubert edition with four superlative artists. I repeated some tracks because I enjoy these so much. #hyperion #schubert #lieder

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 17

Up next!

www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

‘Figaro’ ‘Figaro’: Sarasota Opera highlights a romantic barber in two productions

Sarasota Opera presents both Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" and Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," which are rarely performed at the same time.

www.heraldtribune.com

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Reposted by Richard Russell

jayhandelman.bsky.social @jayhandelman.bsky.social · Feb 14

Some major changes have been made to the initial concept designs for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Renzo Piano Building Workshop architects reveal new ideas for the project that still awaits approval from the Sarasota City Commission.
www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/l...

Architects cut back on buildings and find parking for Sarasota performing arts center

Updated concept plans show two buildings combined into one and a medium-sized theater put on hold until decisions are made about Van Wezel hall

www.heraldtribune.com

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 10

Happy Birthday Leontyne Price!

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 9

It is a good work and worth hearing and seeing if possible. I saw it at Opera Delaware in 2015 and thought it was a significant piece.

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 9

Here are two. But there are many, many more.

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 9

As I sit on my lanai in Florida with a cocktail, I have to admit often missing winter in New York.

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 9

I’m looking forward to this season. Great operas and great casts. #sarasotaopera @jayhandelman.bsky.social #sarasotaheraldtribune

Sarasota Opera stages favorites and a rarity as 66th season opens

www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

Sarasota Opera stages favorites and a rarity as 66th season opens

Sarasota Opera opens a new season with the double bill of one acts ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ and ‘Pagliacci’ to launch its 66th season.

www.heraldtribune.com

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 8

Continuing my Winterreise with Schubert. Margaret Price was such a lovely singer. It was nice to revisit this voice.

Hyperion Schubert Edition Vol 15. Margaret Price, Graham Johnson.

Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 8

I have no words.

www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/u...

Trump Says He Will Install Himself as Kennedy Center Chairman

The move by the president, whose authority to make the changes was not clear, is the latest attempt to bring a Washington institution under his control.

www.nytimes.com

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 5

I'm so sad to hear about the passing of Paul Plishka. A great bass in his prime and a wonderful character singer in his later years, he sang at the Met for 51 years and nearly 1,700 performances. He was a great colleague and nice man. RIP

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 3

This is a really lovely record. A great selection of songs and very well done.

Hyperion Schubert Edition Volume 13. Marie Mclaughlin, Graham Johnson

Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 3

Renata Tebaldi was born #OTD in 1922. I never heard her live but her recordings make it clear that she was one of the greatest. The warmth of her voice and the passion of her singing are magical.

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 2

I’m happy that we are producing Pagliacci. It was the 2nd live opera I saw (with Richard Tucker weeks before he died) and one that packs quite the emotional punch.

BTW, the cover of this recording is co-opted from our 2005 production. The pictured tenor, Rafael Dávila, is singing it with us again.

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Feb 2

For the record, the reason I don’t return to this often is not because of the performances but given the magnitude of Schubert’s output, skipping some of the earliest works are a bit of a necessity with my limited time.

Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Jan 30

This is not a volume I return to, but giving it a good listen this time around, it’s interesting to hear some of the early pieces to understand where Schubert came from and where he is going.

Hyperion Schubert Edition Volume 12. Adrian Johnson, Graham Johnson

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Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Jan 30

I’m trying to catch up on my Schubert listening over the last few days. I always love listening to Brigitte Fassbaender’s unique voice and great artistry.

Hyperion Schubert Edition Volume 11. Brigitte Fassbaender, Graham Johnson

Richard Russell @raruss.bsky.social · Jan 26

I needed to take a few days off my Schubert journey. I'm back at it today. The genius of these songs!

Hyperion Schubert Edition Volume 10. Martyn Hill, Graham Johnson

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