Home of the Dance & Dance C Professionals #16 AMONG THE WORLD'S GREAT OPERA STARS Oscar Hammerstein I was dedicated to popularizing grand opera in America. A member of a family of musical entrepreneurs, he built ten great opera houses and theaters in which he mounted world class productions after the turn of the century. Hammerstein had laid the foundations for a national institution to which many singers of Jewish descent were drawn. Among them were Robert Merrill (1919-), a resonant baritone long associated with the Metropolitan Opera, and Roberta Peters (1930-), a coloratura with a record-breaking three decades at the Met in leading roles. Other performers included mezzo-soprano Regina Resnik (1922-), renowned for her passionate musical presence, and Rise Stevens (1913-), a splendid actress with a pure lyric soprano voice. Equally appreciated by opera buffs were Leonard Warren, Jennie Tourel, Alexander Kipnis and Alma Gluck. As well as these other operatic superstars: lie d TEIP 8/3 2001 18 ■ jaZZ ■ HIP-HOP ■ BflLLET We offer Morning, Afternoon and Evening Classes. Beginner thru Advanced ** Pre-school thru Adult (248) 553-0305 28857 Orchard Lake Road • Farmington Hills Congratulations Scholarship Winners!! * Kayla Canvasser * Jordan Berman *Aaron Bakalar * Tony Jacobs * Nicole Ferszt *Samantha Feldman * Melanie Kohn * Brianna Kohn * Kellie Kaplan * Sara Kahan * Elyse Shapiro • Carly Sanfield * Stephanie Lazar BEVERLY SILLS (1929-) b. Brooklyn, NY Retiring as a per- former in 1980, Sills spent the following decade as director of the New York City Opera which she reorganized and rescued from financial disorder. Before succeeding in administration, she was the luminous coloratura soprano who had captivated music critics and audiences with her poise and charm for more than thirty years. While a celebra- ted diva with the New York City Opera for over a generation she also made a thrilling, long-awaited Met debut in 1975. "Bubbles," as she was nicknamed by fond fans and friends, was gifted with a brilliant, spellbinding vocal technique that brought her international stardom. Sills had left the stage in 1961 after the births of a deaf daughter and mentally retarded son. But revived in spirit, she returned to the footlights three years later to resume singing the wide repertoire she had made her own. COMMISSION FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF JEWISH HISTORY Walter & Lea Field, Founders/Sponsors Irwin S. Field & Harriet F. Siden, Chairpersons Visit many more notable Jews at our website: www.dorledor.org 7 / c Classes Begin Monday, Sept. 10th AND GotAPP341 School of Dance RICHARD TUCKER (1913-75) b. Brooklyn, NY The melodic and sonorous lyric tenor was regarded by many music critics as "The American Caruso" of his time. A fur salesman in his early twenties, Tucker found his voice as a part-time cantor who graduated to radio. By age 32, he won coast-to-coast fame on the Chicago Theater of the Air. A triumphant debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1944 launched a career most praised for interpretations of Italian and French opera. While Tucker's appearances centered in the U.S., he struck a chord with inter- national audiences in 1947 with a first European engagement opposite Maria Callas. He long remained a sought-after guest on radio and TV, and sang with America's leading orchestras and opera companies. It has been reported that his many acclaimed cantorial recordings influenced none other than Elvis Presley, who was also of matrilinear Jewish parentage. JAN PEERCE (1904-84) b. New York City A ballad, "The Bluebird of Happiness," became the vocal centerpiece of the limpid voice heard in the 1930s over the nationally beamed Radio City Music Hall of the Air. The compelling voice was that of a tenor soloist who also appeared in films, on TV and most prominently on the great stage of the Met where he became a fixture. An acolyte of Arturo Toscanini, with whom he collaborated for over fifteen years, Peerce toured the world of opera and also sang popular songs and show tunes. Never to be stereotyped, he would shift between an expressive Don Jose in Bizet's Carmen, an emotional Tevye in Broadway's Fiddler on the Roof, and the voice on the soundtracks of Hollywood's Of Men and Music and Tonight We Sing. But perhaps he will best be remembered for his dedication to cantorial and Yiddish music for whose recitals he was in high demand. -Saul Stadtmauer 111 1111r CHARLIE WARSHAW Invites All His Family of Customers and Friends To Visit Him At TaMaRCIFF BUICK 29585 Telegraph, South of 12 Mile • Southfield 248-353-1300 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4 • • • • • • 30 dealers offering a variety of quality antiques & collectibles, • • • • estate and vintage jewelry, unique gifts and bridal registry • • • • Art Glass & Pottery Furniture Sterling Silver • • Bakelite Handbags & Compacts Lighting • • China & Crystal Ironstone • Majolica • Depression Glass • Linens Toys • • Fiestaware Costume, Fine, Vintage • Vintage Clothing • • Flow Blue & Sterling Jewelry Vintage Telephones • • • 248.545.4663 1 15 South Main Street Royal Oak, MI 48067 • • • • • • Monday—Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm • • • Sundays: 12:OOpm-5:OOpm • • 7414Z4atki (Ph 7)t • • • ••• www.antiquesonmain.com •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••••••••