Michael Scott (artistic director)
Encyclopedia
Michael Scott is the founder of the London Opera Society. In his role as the society's sole artistic director
, he brought to London Marilyn Horne
, Joan Sutherland
, and Boris Christoff
. He was also responsible for introducing Sherrill Milnes
, Ruggero Raimondi
, and Montserrat Caballe
. He is a highly regarded expert in the field of opera
with an extensive knowledge of the history of vocal music, and his books include volumes 1 and 2 of The Record of Singing
and The Great Caruso. In 1992, he also wrote Maria Meneghini Callas, being one of the few Maria Callas
biographers to have seen her frequently on stage in her prime. He is a frequent contributor to Opera News
.
In the review of this book for Opera News, Albert Innaurato writes, "His is the only biography to understand how Callas compares with and differs from Tetrazzini
, Ponselle and Patti
. And since Scott is neither a hysteric nor a fan, he is just and interesting in comparing Callas with Tebaldi
and Sutherland
. In fact his crisp, unsentimental manner may unsettle some readers—he responds to Callas as an artist, not as a tragedy queen, and does not linger over her miserable last years or indulge in psychologizing."
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
, he brought to London Marilyn Horne
Marilyn Horne
Marilyn Horne is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer. She specialized in roles requiring a large sound, beauty of tone, excellent breath support, and the ability to execute difficult coloratura passages....
, Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland
Dame Joan Alston Sutherland, OM, AC, DBE was an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano noted for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s through to the 1980s....
, and Boris Christoff
Boris Christoff
Boris Christoff was a Bulgarian opera singer...
. He was also responsible for introducing Sherrill Milnes
Sherrill Milnes
Sherrill Milnes is an American operatic baritone most famous for his Verdi roles. From 1965 until 1997 he was associated with the Metropolitan Opera....
, Ruggero Raimondi
Ruggero Raimondi
Ruggero Raimondi is an Italian bass-baritone opera singer who has also appeared in motion pictures.-Early training and career:Ruggero Raimondi was born in Bologna, Italy, during World War II...
, and Montserrat Caballe
Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé is a Spanish operatic soprano. Although she sang a wide variety of roles, she is best known as an exponent of the bel canto repertoire, notably the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi....
. He is a highly regarded expert in the field of opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
with an extensive knowledge of the history of vocal music, and his books include volumes 1 and 2 of The Record of Singing
The Record of Singing
The Record of Singing is a compilation of classical-music singing from the first half of the 20th century, the era of the 78-rpm record.It was issued on LP by EMI, successor to the British company His Master's Voice — perhaps the leading organization in the early history of audio recording.The...
and The Great Caruso. In 1992, he also wrote Maria Meneghini Callas, being one of the few Maria Callas
Maria Callas
Maria Callas was an American-born Greek soprano and one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century. She combined an impressive bel canto technique, a wide-ranging voice and great dramatic gifts...
biographers to have seen her frequently on stage in her prime. He is a frequent contributor to Opera News
Opera News
Opera News is an American classical music magazine. It has been published since 1936 by the Metropolitan Opera Guild, a non-profit organization located at Lincoln Center which was founded to support the Metropolitan Opera of New York City...
.
In the review of this book for Opera News, Albert Innaurato writes, "His is the only biography to understand how Callas compares with and differs from Tetrazzini
Luisa Tetrazzini
Luisa Tetrazzini was an Italian coloratura soprano of great international fame.Tetrazzini's voice was remarkable for its phenomenal flexibility, thrust, steadiness and thrilling tone...
, Ponselle and Patti
Patti
Patti may refer to:* Patti , including people with this name* Patti, Sicily* Patti, Punjab, India* Patti, Uttar Pradesh, India* Patti caste, a group of people* Patricia, a given name...
. And since Scott is neither a hysteric nor a fan, he is just and interesting in comparing Callas with Tebaldi
Renata Tebaldi
Renata Tebaldi was an Italian lirico-spinto soprano popular in the post-war period...
and Sutherland
Joan Sutherland
Dame Joan Alston Sutherland, OM, AC, DBE was an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano noted for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s through to the 1980s....
. In fact his crisp, unsentimental manner may unsettle some readers—he responds to Callas as an artist, not as a tragedy queen, and does not linger over her miserable last years or indulge in psychologizing."