European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 25, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse Stars and stripes daily Magazine wagnerian opera with an american accent Story and Pho Foi by for Upton a Merican singers Are hitting the a High notes in the european Musi Cal scene this Yew a reversal of then is when european tenors Ana so sos dominated the new York met Negie Hall and concert platforms from Boston to san francisco.1fiveand perhaps More americans for example Wilf Stag leading roles fit summer at the Wagner festival in Bayreuth considered by critics to Bethe ultimate demonstration of musical greatness. The festival opens. Its summer run tonight with Meister a prime example of the american in Vasion is Tenor William jtofen.1 who moved to the european stage from the . Air Force. Not Long ati$4u Man second class he was fulfilling his Reserve obligations at the Bremerhaven air Force terminal facilities by Fey and singing grand opera at night in the Bremen municipal opera House. At Beyrouth Johns is to sing therole of the second Nobleman in Lohen Grin and Augustine Moser one of the meistersinger. The 31-year-old Johns is with plans to be a conductor and determined eventually to be a director he has studied every facet of operatic business including dramatics stage design and lighting. Johns is accompanied of his stunning dark haired wife the former sue Phil lips of Altus a herself an accomplished pianist sculptress and artist who Hopes one Day to be recognized Asa stage designer meanwhile she maintains her ties with America by teach ing during the school terms in the Bremerhaven area s dependent school. Another graduate of american schools and the american armed forces is James King also a Tenor an in tensely serious performer whose passionate delineation of Siegmund in walk Ere invariably brings loud applause from his Back stage colleagues. King at 40, has been singing about25 years. He earned his master of arts degree in music at the University of Kentucky in 1852 seven years after the close of world warn in which he had enlisted for training As a Navy s european debut was with the Berlin opera in 1982, and three year Slater he hit the top at Bayreuth and at the metropolitan in new York. He i married to a former Berlin actress Marie Louise Nagel and makes his Home at Harl aching near Munich. Also playing the Siegmund role in walk Ere at Bayreuth will be Richard Martell a free Lance american Tenor who was last heard at the Wagner festival of 1963."from the time i made my euro Pean debut in Traviata with Maria Callas Many years ago says Martell i have been known As the american Tenor in Many opera houses most sing ers try to a resident of Zurich Switzerland Martell now makes his permanent Home at Laguna Beach calif., with his wife Helen and 15-year-old Daugh Ter Gin a. Texas is represented this year at Bay Reuth by baritone Thomas Stewart an other . Air Force Veteran. His Active career on the operatic stage began 11 years ago when he married Soprano Evelyn Lear and with her set out to win musical recognition in stewarts live in Lugano Switzer land but they Are Seldom there be cause engagements Are always Beckon ing from London Vienna Berlin or Newyork. M american singers William Johns left Richard Martell stroll with John s wife. Ezzo Soprano Grace Hoffman from Cleveland Ohio will sing the roles of or Ted in Lohengrin and Fricka the these Are demand ing roles peppered with villainy and says miss Hoffman providing the Opportunity to be furious and absolutely Nasty and miss Hoffman is a graduate of West Ern Reserve University and began her musical studies in Italy in 1951 under Fulbright scholarship. She has been living and singing in Europe since 1955. On stand by status although not on the scheduled performance list this year is Soprano Astrid Varney recognize Das one of the world s great artists. Born in Stockholm Sweden mis Svarney moved to new York with her parents when a Young girl american citizen. Miss Varney is a devoted disciple of Wagner and consequently a staunch supporter of the annual Bayreuth Festi Val lending her talents As a dramatic Soprano to whatever assignment the festival management May require in an regards this service As an obligation to her profession. People in the audience and on stage sacrifice to come Here she says. Performers give up their time and More remunerative con tracts for Wagner. We Are duty bound to give our Best to fill in if needed at a moment s american Grace Hoffman left joins Heather Harper and Donald Mclntyre on stage in Lohengrin thursday july 25, 1968 the stars and stripes James King left Tom Stewart plan for Page 11
