14 BILLBOARD NOVEMBER 2, 1963 CLASSICAL MUSIC 111, The Many Faces of Anna Moffo Classical Besides Op'ra, Two Sides of Anna Moffo Chatter Disks, She's Mercury recording artist Ra- On Italian TV fael Puyana, moved into Man- hattan, harpsichord and all, By BARRY KITTLESON last week for a series of re- NEW YORK -It might be cording sessions produced by said of international opera star classical music director Harold Anna Moffo that she has the Lawrence. Puyana, who was adaptability of a chameleon, ex- student of Wanda Landows cept that the chameleon has during the last eight years of certain obvious limitations - her life, has been on Mercury Moffo does not. During the for just one year, and Lawrence opening week of the Metro- noted that his albums are politan Opera season she ap- quietly racking up impressive peared as "Manon" in the Met's sales. Lawrence also noted that new production of the Mass- there has been a strong renais- enet opera. "Manon," is but one sance in interest in music of of the 62 major roles that Moffo the Baroque period, citing a has mastered and performed, particular interest in the harpsi- either live or for recordings, in A STUDY IN CONTRASTS shows international opera diva Anna Moffo (left) as she appeared in chord. Recently, he pointed out, just a brief few years. the role of Manon with Nicolai Gedda in the new production at the Metropolitan Opera, October a New York record dealer This seems an incredible task 17, and (right) as Maria in "West Side Story," taken from her Italian TV show which makes its (Music Masters) imported a for a singer so young -and it is. debut next month. line of German harpsichords to It is particularly astonishing sell in the store right along since at the time of her first she is one of that rare handful unusual vitality and curiosity, (for a sequence from "West with the LP's and hi -fi com- big break (in 1956, when she of prima donnas sought out by and a tremendous sense of en- Side Story"). She'll sing, dance ponents. was on a Fulbright scholarship all the major opera houses of joyment. "I love changes. I do dramatic bits. in Italy, Anna was chosen to the world. She's in demand for can't sit still. People think I'm In short, she said, "I'll be The New York City Opera perform in a spectacular pro- at least three reasons: her voice, calm and relaxed, while really able to do all the things I love opened its 39th season on Oc- duction of "Madame Butterfly," her beauty, and not least of I'm full of nervous energy. And to do. For instance, I could tober 3, with new productions on Italian TV) she had been these, her guarantees as a box I talk a lot." never play Bess ("Porgy and of Honeager's "Jeanne d'Arc au well schooled, but had few com- office attraction. It is pretty certain that as Bess ") on stage, but I'll be do- Bucher," and Stravinsky's "The plete roles in her repertoire. The Her reputation as a "singing long as Miss Moffo's energy ing it on the show. I'll also do Nightingale." Productions and overwhelming attention that was actress" is something else to be holds out there will be a market my turn as a comedienne. It's performances were of the usual drawn to her through the mass considered. She says she is for its outlet. While at the Met great fun, and we're working high standards which have been medium of television put im- particularly sensitive to the dif- (through January) she will per- very hard not to go overboard. maintained by this "second" New mediate demands upon her ferences in audiences around the form in several performances of I suppose some people might York opera theater through the which would have frightened a world. "In Italy, stress is laid "Macon," "Faust," "The Magic resent versatility, but I'm en- years. less confident artist to death. on the sung word, the colora- Flute," and "Rigoletto." She re- joying it." The show is being Moffo took it in her stride and tion and expression of the word. cently appeared on the Bell written, directed and produced On November 1, Thomas within a year had learned and In Vienna, style counts prac- Telephone Hour and will most by her husband Mario Lan - Dunn and the Cantata Singers, performed nearly 10 roles. tically for everything. Style - likely do another before she re- franchi, an established director who were catapulted into na- In an interview the other day there also means not to stand turns to Italy. There will be in Italian theater, opera and tional prominence in August for she explained: "It would cer- out in any particular way, but some concerts and recitals too. television. Though he does not their successful "Midsummer tainly he preferable for a new- to be part of a well-organized In her spare time, she is study- normally direct a variety type Music Festival" at Lincoln Cen- comer to limit herself to two or whole. In America we have pre- ing the score to Rimsky -Kors- show, he explained "I'm doing ter, will return to the Hall to three good roles, at least for occupation with tone- color, be- akov's "Coq d'or," in Russian, this one so no one else will perform the rarely heard "Da- the first year, but in my case, cause only the minority of the for performances next spring in mess it up." vidde Penitent" of Mozart, it just didn't work out that way. audience understands Italian, Europe. Moffo's rapid fame has been along with Handel's "Ode on But I love doing something new French or German." This would appear to be a largely due to employment of St. Ceciliá s Day." Since August, and enjoy meeting a challenge. Then, with the timing of a pretty full schedule, but not for the mass media. Speaking about Dunn has cut an album for "Besides, of necessity, it first -rate comedienne, she cryp- Moffo. She is currently under recordings, she said "I really release on Decca Records with taught me some good study tically continued: "In Milan a contract to Italian TV for a enjoy making records. Not only the Festival Orchestra, one side habits." prima donna eats at Biffi's and series of 12 (at least) tele- that, I play them all the time. of which boasts the enormous I'm never completely satisfied talents Met soprano Judith Quick Study vies with other prima donnas for vision shows, each one- and -one- of the best table. In Vienna she half hours long (no commercials). with them, but then no artist Raskin in a performance of the Known as a quick study, she goes to the Sacher, sipping Since her Eurovision perform- probably ever is." difficult Bach cantata "Jauchzet said, "In learning a role for the coffee with cream among mu- ance of "Madame Butterfly" Her albums on RCA Victor Gott." time, first I'm a bug about sicians and musicologists. In the she is the particular idol of the have all done exceptionally well, getting it just right. That way Met's Sherry Restaurant no one Italian public, who refer to her and just last month the Amer- Though this year's Metropol- I don't forget the part. If you could care less whether she is as "L'Esotics" and "La Diva ican public got what will be itan has are hasty with your initial prep- Opera season just a prima donna or not." Imperiale," which is the su- their first taste of Moffo's begun, Rudolf Bing, general aration, you'll never be secure preme compliment for an Amer- versatility in the "Love Dust" manager has already begun mak- in the role." Inquisitive Type with ican singer. She is appreciated album Sergio Franchi. ing announcements for next will see an all There is little doubt about The changes in artistic climate in Italy not only for her operatic Next spring -new season. Among them is that Anna's security. In just six years suit Moffo just fine. She has performance, but as a popular Moffo on records with an album William Steinberg, music direc- artist as well. Two current best entitled "Love Me or Leave tor of the Pittsburgh Symphony selling albums in Italy fea- Mc." In between, from the Orchestra, will be listed among world of opera, Another Score for Ormandy ture La Moffo in Verdi arias, a November re- the Met's conductors. Bing has and popular tunes. lease, "A Verdi Collaboration," sought Steinberg's services be- will feature the soprano in fore, but he was not available. Surprises Due as arias from such operas Steinberg is no stranger to In November, when her Ital- Ball," "Masked "Ernani," "Trov- opera. As a young man he con- ian TV show is premiered, the atore," and "Aida." A complete public will be in for some ducted at opera houses in Prague, sur- " Rigoletto," is up and coming, Frankfurt, Berlin. and his native prises. The Moffo they will see plus an album called "The will be wearing many hats. Cologne. Portrait of Manon," which will s Elaborate production numbers include selections from the Mass- have been staged to exhibit her enet opera as well as the On November 17, Leontyne versatility. She will be trans- "Manon Lescaut" of Puccini. Price flies from California ported from a Viennese Ball- All of which may go to show (where she has been appearing room to a street in New York that you just never can get with the San Francisco Opera) to enough of a good thing.