 |
|
 |
|
|
Beni |
|
|
|
|
|
Beni |
|
|
|
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LA BOHEME END OF ACT 3 with "Mimi" - Olivia Bonelli; "Musetta" - Rita Shoen; "Rodolfo" - Enrico DiGiuseppe; "Marcello" - John Modenos. The conductor is Vincent La Selva.  ;void(0))
At home in the garden after debut recital at Emma Willard School in Troy, NY., circa 1940. ;void(0))
Olivia launched her career in 1945 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. During the run of the enormously popular film, "The Bells of St. Mary's" she appeared in the stage show as the angel in the famous "Nativity Scene" singing Adam's "Oh Holy Night." ;void(0))
;void(0))
With the run of the film, "The Jolson Story" Olivia appeared on stage in a capsule version of "The Mikado" singing "The Moon and I" and "Three Little Maids from School." ;void(0))
;void(0))
One of the many production numbers she appeared in at Radio City with the men's chorus. ;void(0))
Relaxing between one of the five shows per day with members of THE ROCKETTES Olivia is front right. ;void(0))
Radio City days included time spent on the 34th floor Rockefeller Center Gardens, Central Park and taking snapshots backstage. ;void(0))
"The Starlighters", the USO group that sang for injured soldiers in hospitals across the USA. They sang light classics and some crossover material. It is hard to imagine today's service men and women appreciating this kind of music - but they certainly had a huge success in that particular era. Olivia's most requested solos were Gounod's "Ave Maria" and Victor Herbert's "Italian Street Song!" Olivia is all the way on the right. ;void(0))
Her New York Town Hall debut took place on a night when torrential rains and floods paralyzed most of the North East Coast. ;void(0))
On the road with voice teacher, vocal coach and dear friend, Aldo DiTullio, on her right. On her left is baritone, Donald Johnson. ;void(0))
"The Concerteers" a touring group organized by the National Concert and Artists Corporation. Aldo DiTullio, on the left, was the accompanist and coach for the group. Olivia is second from the right. ;void(0))
Although she had appeared in a small role in the New York premier of Carlyle Floyd's "Sussanah" - Olivia's "official" debut at New York City Opera was in October 1963 as "Mimi" in the season's first "La Boheme." ;void(0))
A working summer in Rome with her teacher and mentor, Julia Drobner, center. On the left is Patricia (Parker) Strauss, a long time friend and pupil of Mme. Drobner. Olivia was invited to stay in Italy to sing the Vivaldi Gloria with Radio Italiana but feeling homesick, decided to turn down the offer and return to the USA. ;void(0))
Violetta, a signature role. ;void(0))
Enjoying the "high" of audience approval. ;void(0))
Backstage with one of the most famous Germonts of all time, the American baritone, Robert Merrill. ;void(0))
On tour singing "Micaela" in "Carmen." ;void(0))
Rehearsal hi-jinks preparing for "Gilda" in Verdi's "Rigoletto." ;void(0))
"Gilda" in Verdi's "Rigoletto" was a role she sang dozens of times - here on tour with The New York Festival Opera, with conductor, Anton Guadagno. ;void(0))
The high "C" at the end of Rosalinda's Czardas aria came easily. ;void(0))
As with many sopranos who sing Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" Olivia found it difficult to get through the performance without completely giving in to the heartbreaking emotions of the role. ;void(0))
Early "Butterfly" tour with the Wagner Opera Company. The snap was taken by Olivia's mother who traveled to Springfield, MA on the train to hear the opera. 
Mother and daughter prior to homecoming concert at the legendary MUSIC HALL in Troy, New York. ;void(0))
"Micaela" in Carmen, could certainly be considered one of her best "good luck" roles. It brought her great success everywhere she performed it. ;void(0))
Signing autographs before a matinee "Traviata in Hartford, CT." ;void(0))
Off to Europe on "BOAC!" ;void(0))
The world premier of Earl Wild's oratorio, "Revelations" on ABC-TV. Tenor William Lewis on the left and composer/conductor/pianist EARL WILD on the right. ;void(0))
The late beloved basso, GIMI BENI was a favorite friend and colleague. Olivia teamed up with him in the latter part of her career for a series of concerts and performances produced by Beni and his long time partner and professional associate, pianist, William Holo. ;void(0))
Mr. and Mrs. George Ortell on their wedding day in Somerville, New Jersey. | Return Home | Biography | Photos | Reviews | Gimi Beni | |
||