The lady and the opera
Nov 5, 2015 22:25:11 #
This is a favourite photo of mine. It was shot by Alfred Eisenstaedt at La Scala in Milan on Jan 1 1934. I have learned that he used a Leica on a tripod and that although the picture was not published at the time, it was one of his favourites. What I would like to know is who the lady was (a socialite, apparently), what happened to her in the coming tempestuous years and what opera was being performed that day.
LaScala
Nov 5, 2015 22:36:08 #
Nov 5, 2015 22:53:03 #
Nov 5, 2015 22:56:20 #
If she was 19 at the time now she would be 100 and possibly still around. Good luck with your search, great photograph.
Nov 5, 2015 22:58:22 #
She may have been some business tycoon's daughter. The 1930's (under Mussolino) was a very lucrative period for the Italian industrialists, allowing many of them to live in abundant luxury unlike ever before.
Nov 5, 2015 23:36:00 #
I have found out that the opera performed that day was the premiere of a new work (now forgotten) by Rimsky-Korsikov called "Legend Of the Invisible City Of Kitezh."
My interest is because opera (as well as photography) is a passion. Still like to know who the lady is/was and what happened to her during the war. I'm framing a copy of this for myself and may give a few more to some of my opera buddies for Christmas.
My interest is because opera (as well as photography) is a passion. Still like to know who the lady is/was and what happened to her during the war. I'm framing a copy of this for myself and may give a few more to some of my opera buddies for Christmas.
Nov 6, 2015 04:36:17 #
Nov 6, 2015 12:13:05 #
Nov 6, 2015 22:05:07 #
I got very interested in Eisenstaedt and looked him up on YouTube. There is a fascinating four part series in which he discusses the thinking and circumstances behind some of his famous pictures and gives advice that is still great all these years later. Also a lot of other stuff including a compelling portfolio of his shots.
Nov 6, 2015 23:26:45 #
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