HOMMAGE A REGINE CRESPIN (in French)
By Andre Tubeuf
Actes Sud 2010, 139 pp

CRESPINHOMMAGE
This luxurious photo book has been published alongside a Régine Crespin exhibit at the Paris opera which can still be visited until August 15.
As said this is mainly a photo book and these numerous photos –more than 120!!- are wonderful mementos of the greatest post war French soprano. Several –if not all?- come from her personal archive and show her from age 1 till her last performance in La Dame de Pique.
The collection of photos is preceded by an essay written by the French teacher, author and music critic André Tubeuf. Tubeuf knew her personally and heard her numerous times in the theatre. Thus the article is written with great affection for the artist which also means the marriage failure, the legendary rift with Rita Gorr etc are left out but on the other hand you get a fairly good summary of her artistic career.
There is a seemingly complete chronology at the end as well with the only regret that the compiler doesn’t mention other members of the casts.
The exhibition is at the Palais Garnier in the library-museum and can be visited until 15 August. Visiting hours are from 10 am till 17.30 pm. There’s an entrance fee of 9 euros, reduced fares are available as well.
The book is available through amazon and costs EUR 27,68 with –at least in the EU –free posting.
RvdB