Magyar News, 1998. szeptember-1999. augusztus (9. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1999-04-01 / 8. szám
Iván Fischer and Antonio Procaccini Hungarian community in Chicago made a strong impression on him, especially Lajos Szathmáry. According to Fischer, Szathmáiy was a very unique person who owned a Hungarian restaurant known as The Bakery and had an extensive library of rare books on various subjects. To Fischer's disappointment, Szathmáry passed away recently and the restaurant no longer exists. Many of Szathmáry's books on culinary subjects and European history were donated to libraries and university archives and museums; a large number of them relate to Hungarian history and are in various languages including Hungarian. At the outset of his interview, the maestro expressed interest in the purpose and circulation of Magyar News. While perusing previous music-related Magyar News articles, he expressed particular admiration for the late Hungarian tenor Gábor Carelli, whose career was chronicled in the September 1998 issue. The rewards of his career have been immense. He likens the BFO to a child of his, created and nurtured for many years and now producing outstanding performances and recordings. He emphasized his great satisfaction from the orchestra's winning of a 1998 Grammophone Award for a CD of Bartók's Miraculous Mandarin on its first entry in this particular competition. Another recent high point for Fischer and the BFO was the attainment of an exclusive recording contract with the Philips record company. Constant travel is one of the grinding aspects of his career. "It's a very tiring life... I'd love to live in a quiet place with a big garden, but it seems to me it's not my fate." Other musical mini-problems, usually not seen by audiences, surface frequently and may seem comical in retrospect. He recalled opening his garment-bag moments before a performance in London's Covent Garden to find his trousers missing! Fischer, although a native Hungarian, is a Dutch citizen with a home in Amsterdam, the city where his two daughters and exwife live presently. Fischer compares the fallout between himself and BFO cofounder Zoltán Kocsis to a long relationship that took its natural course. "For thirteen years we worked together. He was a natural partner and a very, very good musician." In spite of their differences concerning orchestra and people management and music-making, Fischer considers it magic that the relationship lasted so long." The special thing is that we managed to do this together for such a long time...[but]...we had to go our separate ways." Unfortunately, the future of the BFO becomes more tenuous as time passes. The source of their existence is, of course, financial support, which has become more difficult to obtain as art institutions in Hungary compete for a diminishing amount of subsidies. "The orchestra is a sensational success story which is like a balloon, it can burst at any moment," Fischer notes a bit regretfully. There is always the risk of losing talent to higherpaying competition. The maestro eloquently stated that "... in the next two years I have to find that particular angel who will come down and save this orchestra." The author expresses his gratitude to Maestro Fischer for the interview opportunity. In addition, Shirley Kirshbaum and Associates of New York, the BFO's October 1998 New York tour manager, and Harrison/Parrot Ltd. of London, Maestro Fischer's management, provided valuable assistance. Available for cultural and social events. Hall, kitchen, bar, stage and ample parking Hungarian Community Club 147 Ward Street, Wallingford, CT P.O.Box 1816; Tel: 203-639-0511 Contact Kati Kovács Legendary Tenor Gábor Carelli Passes Away Both the music world and the Hungarian world community received sad news recently. Gábor Carelli, described by one compatriot as "a major Hungarian export," passed away in New York City on January 22nd. Maestro Carelli was loved and respected by the many with whom he came in contact. Magyar News is possibly the last publication to have interviewed Carelli extensively, an honor bestowed on this reporter in the summer of 1998 and chronicled in the September 1998 issue. Carelli, a Budapest native, was 83 at the time of his death. After moving to Italy from Hungary, Carelli debuted in Florence in the late 1930s as Rodolfo in Puccini's "La Boheme." His career was intricately linked to two of the greatest musicians of this century, fellow tenor Beniamino Gigli and conductor Arturo Toscanini. Gigli was a mentor and close friend for many years in Italy and the United States. Toscanini was by Antonio Procaccini Carelli's conductor, admirer and the person who, after auditioning Carelli, chose him to perform with the Metropolitan Opera starting in 1951. Carelli finished his Met career in 1974. A resident of New York since 1939, Carelli sang 1,079 performances of 56 roles in 39 operas at the Met and was on the voice faculty of the Manhattan School of Music for 35 years. His professional highlights included singing the American premiere of Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and the highly acclaimed broadcast performance of Verdi's “Falstaff’ with the NBC Symphony under Toscanini. In addition to teaching private students and coaching ensembles well into 1998, he also served as Director of the Manhattan-based cultural group Fészek Club for many years. A well-traveled man, Carelli spoke six languages fluently, had repertory in American song and amassed a laige and interesting collection of photographs and other memorabilia of the major artists with whom he collaborated. We wish him eternal peace and are grateful for his many years of great art and dedication to the Hungarian community. Page 5
