Richard Bonynge 95

[sydneyboy]

Yesterday Richard Bonynge turned 95. I attended many performances at the Sydney Opera House conducted by Bonynge. He was often derided I think unfairly. His music making gave great pleasure and he provided wonderful support to his wife. Happy birthday Richard.

[jeezifonly]

He conducted a number of operas in Los Angeles. I was backstage for a couple of them, and I can tell you he was tall, dashing and smelled divine.

Belated Cheers, Sir Ricky 🥂

[sutherland]

We have a lot to be thankful for.  it was Richard Bonynge, who was a pianist by training not a professional voice teacher, who discovered the full potential of his wife's voice.  That says a lot about the profession of voice teachers.

I recently purchased Mr. Bonynge's book on Chalet Monet and it is full of wonderful photos.  I don't believe their son, Adam, has an interest in opera and he'll probably auction off the collection of memorabilia when the time comes.

[marylander1940]

[sutherland]

Do any of you remember the catty article written by conductor Stephan von Cron?  He was hired to be an assistant to Richard Bonynge and wrote about the experience - 

https://web.archive.org/web/20020803041224/http://operastars.com/sutherland.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[+ sync]

For me it reads as a disturbing sado-masochistic experience. 

[sutherland]

8 hours ago, sync said:

For me it reads as a disturbing sado-masochistic experience. 

I also suspect it is a reason why Mr. von Cron's career never went very far. 

[+ sync]

4 hours ago, sutherland said:

I also suspect it is a reason why Mr. von Cron's career never went very far. 

Could be, he rendered very negative images of some very esteemed individuals.

[sydneyboy]

On 10/31/2025 at 1:03 PM, sutherland said:

I also suspect it is a reason why Mr. von Cron's career never went very far. 

I googled him. His career didn’t seem to go anywhere.