Page 8 - Classical Singer Magazine November/December 2019

BulletinBoard NEWS, TIDBITS, MUSINGS, AND MORE — BY MARIA NOCKIN
Violinist and Writer Leslie Dreyer Passes Away
Leslie Dreyer began playing
in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 1961 and remained
a part of the ensemble for 46 years. According to his daughter Ruthie, “During this time, he worked with legendary musicians and conductors and generously shared his anecdotes through his brilliant and witty writing.
Les had published opera-related letters, articles, and cartoons in the New York Times, Classical
Singer, Opera News, and the Juilliard Journal.” His articles for Classical Singer included “Chess with Pavarotti” in 2004, “My Oedipus Rex Complex” in 2006, and “Confessions of a Juilliard Renegade” in 2007.
Ruthie Dreyer tells one of her father’s favorite stories.
He played chess with Luciano Pavarotti during a recording
of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. “Pavarotti’s personal assistant begged Leslie to let Pavarotti win, but Leslie wasn’t one to
kowtow. Pavarotti was a gracious loser and even shared his sandwich with Les during the game: a Zabar’s ham on rye with no condiments.”
bit.ly/2MJ8fyO
stop him from returning to Long Beach for an occasional production.
Mitisek says that he is confident about leaving the company in the capable hands of Executive Director and CEO Jennifer Rivera and Board President Robert Braun. They have already started
the search for a new artistic
director. Mitisek has worked
to push the boundaries of opera with his artistic choices, and Long Beach Opera has grown tremendously under his leadership.
bit.ly/32gLKrH
Wet Patrons Enjoy Memorable Performance
According to Reuters, the latest presentation of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni in Prague allowed some patrons to enjoy champagne while watching the performance from bathtubs. The presenter is cafe owner and culture promoter Ondrej Kobza who engaged top Czech opera singers such as Met bass-baritone Adam Plachetka, who began the performance on the roof of the Lucerna Palace as the sun set over the historic city.
Sitting in a tub on the rooftop
of the Lucerna Palace, Kobza notes, “Mozart composed and premiered the opera in Prague. I think he is watching us today. I think things like this will be popular—doing quality events but shifting the way they are presented.”
The show consisted of excerpts from the opera, and its title was based on an anagram with Don Giovanni turned into the Czech John do vany or “John into the tub.” Luckily, the outdoor temperature was around 30 degrees Celsius (85 F) on the night of the performance, because patrons wore their evening clothes while they sat in tubs full of water.
bit.ly/32hd1KA
Leslie Dreyer playing chess with Pavarotti.
Mitisek to Exit Long Beach Opera in 2020
According to the Long Beach Post, Long Beach Opera Artistic Director Andreas Mitisek told the opera’s board of directors that he will not renew his contract in September 2020. He intends to devote the time to his freelance career as a conductor and director. That will not, however,
Andreas Mitisek
8 Classical Singer | November/December 2019