Dad and the Arts
While few people realized it, Dad loved classical
music, especially opera, symphony, and the
concerto. My first memories of opera were his
listening to the Saturday broadcasts from the
Metropolitan Opera House in New York. I can
still hear Milton Cross trilling his R's
as he said Franco Corelli.
He loved the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor and the Bruch Violin Concerto #1, both with David Oistrakh and his Stradivarius. He loved Dvorak's New World Symphony, particularly the Toscanini recording.
His hero was Paul Robeson: singer, actor, and activist. I think Dad liked Paul so much because he was such a man of principle. Dad identified with him.
And Paul Robeson became a hero of mine.
The photo to the left was taken in the airport as he was on his way to China on an Elder Hostel adventure.