Section Sunday, May 13, 1973

> S. Hurok—Last Of the Red lint f\hninmpn

Jack Mltctwll Sol Hurok, in his office before a portrait of Anna Pav­ lova. His 60 years as an impresario and 85th birthday will be marked at a gala concert at the Met on May 2i. "Lovely—but the tickets aren't priced high enough"

By SiEHTgO'

OLOMON ISAIEVICH HUROK, the last of the red hot showmen, is 85 years old and still letting off as much heat as ever. The undisputed champion S impresario of the world, the man affectionately known as Papa Hurok, is of sound mind and body as well. But it all comes to naught when the loneliness sets in. Hurok tells of his solitary evenings. “I just can’t be alone. I’m so attached to people; I love people. So if I’m not doing anything one night, I call up somebody and say, come over to the house, let’s have dinner, let’s sit around, let’s have tea. If I go to a concert, I come home, get undressed, read the newspaper or a book, and sud­ denly I feel that I’d like to talk to somebody, to tell somebody the bad things and the good things.” It was only recently that Hurok finally found a some­ body to help fill the void. Following the death of his 94- year-old brother in Leningrad, the impresario’s nephew sent him the first photograph Hurok has ever had of his mother. ‘‘It’s given me a new lease on life,” he sighs. “I have the photo right by my bed. She died more than 50 years ago. It’s marvelous the way her eyes look at me all the time. She was such a smart woman, and I had such great affection and love for her as a youngster. I talk to her, and she helps me so much to be not alone any more.” * In Hurok’s life, his major source of contentment has always been his work. For 60 years he has been manag­ ing artists and attractions and carefully constructing one of the largest and most powerful empires in the enter­ tainment industry. Cleverly and most deliberately, he has made something human out of the label “S. Hurok Pre­ sents” by constantly focusing all the attention on its founder and ruler—himself. Hurok Concerts may have its princes, its favorite sons, even its heir apparent, but while the Old Man is alive and kicking, Hurok Concerts is Sol Hurok. That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s the way it will continue. ‘‘I’m not giving up yet,” the king is fond of repeating over and over again. Hurok’s obsessive determination never to retire colors much of his thinking. It perhaps explains why he was not initially overjoyed by the International Diamond Jubilee Gala, to be held at the Metropolitan Opera on May 21, honoring his 60 years of service to the perform­ ing arts and his 85th birthday year. In his mind, the fete might have had the look of a farewell party—the last celebration in the world he’d ever want for himself. But he has succumbed to the excitement the gala has engendered, is pleased by the lineup of stars (Fonteyn, Segovia, Stern, Cliburn, Verrett, et al.), and thoroughly approves of the proceeds going to the Performing Arts Research Center of the Lincoln Center Public Library. “At first I thought, what for?” Hurok explains. “I need more prestige? But now that I see so many people send­ ing letters, cables and wires from all over the world, this is lovely. I think they haven’t priced the tickets high enough though [top price is $1001. There are no seats left already. They could have filled Madison Square Garden. The people want to see me. They’re not going for the performers alone.” Modesty has never been one of Hurok’s virtues. The tales of his amusing flights of egocentric fancy are legion. A recent addition to the folklore involves the time he stopped a 6-year-oId in the lobby of the Savoy in London, chucked her under the chin and said, "My, what a pretty little girl you are. Little girl, do you knov who I am?” Luckily, the youngster’s mother knew ar she paid homage while the child looked at the old tr as if he were some sort of a nut. Although this peacock’s feathers don’t ruffle e he vehemently denies that he is in any way th maniac many people consider (Continued on P D 17

annoyance. “They certainly didn’t do any good as far as the Jewish question is concerned in America, in Russia or In Israel. The Rus­ sians want our government to take a stronger stand, and I don’t blame them—to stop this mugging and harass­ ment against Russian diplo­ mats, artists and attractions. It’s a horrible thing. I almost got killed myself. I can’t understand the simply ter­ rible judiciary system we have in this country. Those people have been brought into court a number of times, they have been proven guilty, and still the trials go on.” Despite all these problems, Hurok the optimist is very hopeful about bringing over the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet together. (This summer he is presenting the latter, along with the Bolshoi Dance Acad­ emy.) Since he has the Metro­ politan Opera House booked through 1976, he would, of course, like it to be sooner than later. As to the rumor that he and Columbia might jointly import this unique at­ traction, Hurok says coldly, “I haven’t heard about it.” Hurok is able to afford these monumental undertak­ ings because, since 1971, his company has been owned by Tomorrow Entertainment, Ltd., a subsidiary of Gen­ eral Electric. (A 1969 sale to Transcontinental Investing Corp, did not work out.) The impresario makes it blatant­ ly clear that he doesn’t mind being a salaried employe, and that his powers have been in no way curtailed. “I probably make more money than I made when I Hurok—Last of the was by myself,” he says, a satisfied smile settling on his face. “I’m pretty well set. I run the business just as be­ Red Hot Showmen fore. I’m chief executive, president, and I do whatever Continued from Page 1 blasé, but agreeable at all has done it. And it was never I want. My intention is to him. “That’s very stupid,” he times. No question will a question of how much do bigger things. I’ve looked exclaims. “That’s the thing throw him. If he doesn’t money 1 could make. I never forward to being affiliated I’m not. I don’t possess any want to answer something, worked as if this was a busi­ with an organization of the ego at all. One has ego when he either says so directly or ness; if it was a business, I kind where I’d have the he doesn’t get what he wants, is evasive enough to make wouldn’t be in it. power to do what I want, when he’s trying to step into his point obvious. The only “I’m one of those fanatics and at the same time have somebody’s footsteps, to get giveaway of any sort of real who believe in presenting no limit of spending money. what the other man has. But emotion is a slightly wicked the best things to the masses, Today, there is very little I have everything I want.” and very attractive glint and taking all kinds of room left for independent Indeed.’ There’s even been which, on occasion, bright­ risks.” Hurok has lost a for­ managers because of the ex­ a movie made about his life ens his greenish brown eyes. tune on various gambles, penses you have to carry.” — “Tonight We Sing” — and Hurok lives in a smartly including one of his first, a It has been suggested that that was 20 years ago. decorated six-room Park tour of the Russian Grand one of the reasons Hurok Hurok’s knack for attracting Avenue apartment. He is Opera with Chaliapin in sold his company was to publicity is unparalleled. served by a devoted couple, 1925. “I went out of my way avoid having to choose a “But I didn’t run for the who reside in a separate to travel day and night all successor. This is a touchy publicity,” he insists. "I did dwelling on the same floor. over the world. I brought subject for two reasons: things that brought it to me. Across Central Park lives things from Japan, from First, Hurok doesn’t think in If I wouldn’t have presented Emma Runitch Hurok, the India, from Italy. I started terms of ever leaving, and some of the things I did, woman he married in 1939. this cultural exchange before second, to actually name an maybe I wouldn’t have had “We have been separated 12 we had an official cultural heir apparent might cause a the publicity. I never refuse years or so,” Hurok reports. exchange with Russia.” rift within the company. But, an interview, and I think I’m “Before that we lived under Hurok’s dealings with the is there a young Hurok on good copy. That helped one roof, but were apart for Russians are, of course, al­ the horizon? “I hope so. I along. But the quality of my a long time. We’re good most as well known as would be very happy if I artists and attractions backed friends. She’s a very nice Hurok himself. But, despite would know there is some­ me up.” lady, very intelligent, very ail the publicity, he was not one. I think some of the boys Hurok is a true impre­ good-looking. We meet; we and is not the sole importer in my company will be able sario, with the sensitive nose see each other; but we of Soviet artists and attrac­ to do good things. But if I for sniffing out great tal­ agreed to disagree, that’s tions. The American debuts mention certain names and ents, and with the backbone all.” and gambler’s instinct to This was a second mar­ present them big or not at riage. From his first wife, “People are mistaken when all. By now, he has probably Tamara, whom he divorced outclassed his two most for­ in the late twenties and who they say if Hurok disappears midable predecessors, P.T. is now dead, he has his only Barnum and Serge Diaghi­ child, Ruth, currently mar­ his organization will fall apart” lev. He even started off with ried to the conductor Arthur a bang. In 1912, six years Lief. Ruth has presented him of Emil Gilels, David Oist- not others, they’ll get in­ after he arrived here from with two grandchildren, both rakh and the Leningrad sulted.” Russia and while he was still of whom work in Hollywood. Symphony, to cite three ex­ And what about outside selling hardware, the young Hurok is seated on a couch amples, were all under the his organization? Is there a upstart presented the great in his book-lined study. The auspices of Hurok’s biggest young Hurok in the competi­ fiddler, Efrem Zimbalist. variety of reading material competitor, Columbia Artists tion? Might Ronald Wilford, Within three years, he had is startling: everything from Management. For about 15 the controversial, strong- a popular-priced Sunday Kinsey and the Encyclopaedia years, Hurok did manage to minded president of Colum­ night series going at the Hip­ Britannica to books in Rus­ dominate the field, with bia, be waiting in the wings podrome with such notables sian and a collection of Columbia taking a seat way to step into the star role? as Mischa Elman^ Titta Ruffo Oscar Wilde. The walls are -in the back, but currently the “Not with his temperament. ■“afflT'ATfna Gluck. “ 'Bf'*’---- ” nned wifh a vari(’ty of art firm is giving the impresario Not the way he wants to The list of his artists and work, including many thea­ a run for his money. conquer. I don’t want to ex­ attractions since then is trical drawings and sketches. It is rumored, for instance, press myself fully because I mind-boggling. Characteris­ The impresario is a bit with­ that Columbia will be bring­ don’t want Wilford to have tically, even Hurok himself is drawn until he suggests we ing over the Kirov Ballet a reason to reply to me. To in awe. “Sometimes when leave for lunch. Then, de­ next year, as well as a num­ discuss other managers and I’m sitting around reading or spite the heat, he gets into ber of other Soviet special­ agents—that’s their business. listening to records, I begin his usual paraphernalia plus ties, including a possible Me, I have no competition.” to analyze who and how a scarf, calls out to his butler series of well-known stars. Hurok is indeed an insti­ many I’ve managed, and I to phone Cote Basque, and Hurok has nothing to say tution—and he will be the can’t believe it.” Some of the out we go to his waiting about Columbia’s expanding first to remind you of it. And chosen include: Isadora Dun­ chauffeur-driven limousine. activity in “his” field other the institution will continue. can, Chaliapin, Tetrazzini, * than, “I have no objections “A lot of department store Fokine, Richard Strauss, In the car, Hurok discusses and, so far, no concern. Good heads die, but the store goes Pavlova, Schnabel, Marian some recent pieces in The luck to them. If the Russians on,” he says. “A lot of people Anderson, Emlyn Williams, Times, commenting in one feel somebody else should are mistaken when they say the Renaud-Barrault com­ case that if a certain pianist have something else, why that if Hurok disappears his pany, the Comédie Fran­ deserved an article, he de­ not? It’s all right. We have organization will fall apart. çaise, the Scots Guards, serves a book. At the res­ plenty. The last time I was It’ll go on, as long as they Sadler’s Wells, Fonteyn and taurant, a change comes over there, about three months have the artists. It’s true that Nureyev, the Old Vic, the him. Now he is in public, ago, we signed up about 27 a lot of people prefer to deal D’Oyly Carte, Piatigorsky, and Hurok enjoys the bow­ contracts. I can’t complain. with me, to see me. At the Rubinstein, Stern, Cliburn ing, scraping and flourishes I love the Russians, and I same time, if they come to and, probably one of his of the Cote Basque person­ do business with them and the office and I’m not there, greatest achievements, the nel. He makes chit-chat with have no trouble with them.” they still make deals. And Bolshoi Ballet. the hatcheck girl, and then The troubles he does have besides, I’m not giving up All of this phenomenal we are ushered to the best tend to be political in nature. yet.” activity emanates from a 5- table in the house. “This is In December, 1970, Soviet Since Hurok never chooses foot 6-inch roly-poly Russian my table—it’s been mine authorities canceled what to think of retiring, does he Jew with an undistinguished since 1939,” the celebrity would have been Hurok’s ever ponder the inevitability bespectacled face, a mini­ says with obvious pride. largest undertaking to date, of death? “It’s a terrible thing mum of snow-white hair, “Turn off the air-condition­ a joint tour of the Bolshoi to think. But it happens. It’s and a manner of speaking ing please, it’s blowing on Opera and Ballet in 1971. The nothing to be ashamed of. I that belongs only to him my neck,” he tells an atten­ visit was halted because of don’t discuss it and I don’t —and Samuel Goldwyn. If tive waiter, the explosive problems sur­ talk about it. I don’t recog­ nature cheated him physi­ As he slowly sips his Cam­ rounding the question of nize my age; age is for the cally, Hurok has made up for pari and bitters, and eats a restrictions on emigration by calendar. Today is not so it in other ways. The mogul little each of asparagus, Soviet Jews to Israel. bad; tomorrow’s a better has the carriage of a man poached striped bass and Worse than the disappoint­ day.” who knows he’s important. melon, Hurok’s color im- ment of the cancellation was It’s been a long lunch, and These days his stride may proves and he seems to the firebombing of Hurok’s Hurok is getting impatient to be slower but it is none­ loosen up, even to enjoy him­ offices last year in which a go to his office. We leave theless the walk of a grand self. It is quite apparent that young woman was killed and Cote Basque and get into the seigneur. Because he is there is nothing more to others, including Hurok, car for the trip around the an innate showman, Hurok Hurok’s liking than talking were injured. His being a block. Suddenly Hurok says, understands the importance about Hurok. Jew himself poses no con­ “Please don’t hesitate to call of trappings and dresses “I don’t think there’s any­ flicts for Hurok. He has no if you want to know any­ expensively. His gold-topped body in this country who sympathy with extremist thing. I’ll give you as much cane and old-fashioned black went through what I went organizations, such as the time as you need. You know, slouch hat have become his through,” he says expansive­ Jewish Defense League, nor The New York Times is the trademarks. ly. “Hardships and every­ does he believe that the most valuable paper today in The old pro has been in­ thing else. But I think I con­ League reflects majority Jew­ the country—particularly for terviewed too many times tributed something to this ish opinion. “The J.D.L. is our business. I haven’t had to try to woo the press with country, whieh I’m very just a small group objecting an article in it for a long phony charm. He is a bit happy about. Nobody else to everything,” he says, with time.”