Those memorable concerts

I recently saw a film featuring the Russian opera legend Galina Vishnevskaya, and it brought back the wonderful memory of hearing her in concert at McCarter Theatre, around 1965. I was a graduate student at that time, married with two young children. Living on a research assistantship was challenging, but we were able to afford the subsidized tickets for concerts and plays at McCarter.

Vishnevskaya was accompanied on the piano by her husband, world-famous cellist Mstislav “Slava” Rostropovich. She was dressed in a strapless crimson gown and, with her fair skin and dark hair, she was a beautiful and commanding sight. Her voice was probably at the top of its quality. It was an enchanting evening, and I wish it had been recorded for posterity.