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Grace Bumbry, 1st Black Singer At Bayreuth, Dies At 86

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NEW YORK – Grace Bumbry, a groundbreaking mezzo-soprano who became the first Black vocalist to perform at Germany’s Bayreuth Festival after a career spanning more than three decades on the world’s most prestigious stages, has died. She was 86 years old.

According to her publicist, David Lee Brewer, Bumbry died on Sunday at Evangelisches Krankenhaus in Vienna.

On October 20, she suffered a stroke while flying from Vienna to New York for her induction into Opera America’s Opera Hall of Fame. She was hit by the airliner 15 minutes before landing, was treated at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, and flew back to Vienna on December 8. Brewer said Monday that she had been in and out of institutions since then.

Bumbry was born in St. Louis on January 4, 1937. Her father, Benjamin, worked as a railway porter, and her mother, Melzia Walker, was a schoolteacher.

She sang in the choir at Ville’s Sumner High School and won a talent contest sponsored by radio station KMOX, which included a scholarship to the St. Louis Institute of Music, but she was denied admittance because of her race. She appeared on CBS’s “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts,” then went on to attend Boston University College of Fine Arts and Northwestern University, where she met soprano Lotte Lehmann, who became her instructor and mentor at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California.

Bumbry, who was largely recognized as a mezzo but also sang some soprano roles, was inspired when her mother took her to hear Marian Anderson, the American contralto who became the first Black singer at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1955. Bumbry was a member of an acclaimed age of Black opera singers that included Leontyne Price, Shirley Verrett, George Shirley, Reri Grist, and Martina Arroyo.

Bumbry was one of the Met National Council Auditions winners in 1958. She made her Paris Opéra debut the following year as Amneris in “Aida.”

Bumbry was largely recognized as a mezzo but also sang some soprano roles.

The next year, Wieland Wagner, the composer’s grandson, cast her as Venus in a new production of “Tannhäuser” at the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth. Bumbry’s inclusion in a production that included stars Wolfgang Windgassen, Victoria de los Angeles, and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau prompted 200 letters of criticism to the festival.

“I remember being discriminated against in the United States, so why should it be different in Germany?” In 2021, Bumbry told St. Louis Magazine. “I knew I needed to get up there and show them what I’m all about.” When we were in high school, our teachers — and, of course, my parents — taught us that we are all the same. You are not superior to anyone, nor are you inferior to anyone. You must always provide your best effort.”

Her Bayreuth debut on July 23, 1961, received largely excellent reviews.

“A very large voice, though a little lackluster in color.” “It’s a voice that hasn’t’s-et,’ as the teachers say,” Harold C. Schonberg wrote in The New York Times. “She is a singer with a bright future.”

As a result of the publicity, Bumbry was invited to sing at a White House state banquet the following February by first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Debuts followed at Carnegie Hall in November 1962, the Royal Opera House in London in 1963, and the Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 1964.

Bumbry’s final full opera at the Met was on November 3, 1986, at Amneris in Verdi’s “Aida,”

On October 7, 1965, she made her Met debut as Princess Eboli in Verdi’s “Don Carlo,” the first of 216 appearances with the company.

“Her assurance, self-possession, and character projection are the kind from which a substantial career can be made,” said Irving Kolodin in the Saturday Review.

Bumbry’s final full opera at the Met was on November 3, 1986, at Amneris in Verdi’s “Aida,” though she returned a decade later for the James Levine 25th anniversary gala to sing “Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix (Softly awakens my heart)” from Saint-Saens’ “Samson et Dalila.”

In 1989, she performed in the first completely staged performance of work at Paris’ Bastille Opéra, in Berlioz’s “Les Troyens (The Trojans).” She was honored at the Kennedy Centre Honours in 2009.

Bumbry’s marriage to Polish tenor Erwin Jaeckel, which began in 1963, ended in divorce in 1972. Charles and Benjamin Bumbry were his brothers.

According to Brewer, tributes are being prepared for Vienna and New York.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Elevate Your Style: Unveiling the Timeless Charm of 1930s Mens Fashion

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Undoubtedly, the 1930s Mens Fashion was the sharpest era for male fashion, with sleek, elegant outfits that oozed style. However, the Great Depression significantly impacted men’s fashion in the 30s, not just cigars and evening wear. The following are some of the most stylish looks of this decade and how you can adapt them to your needs.

With the Wall Street Crash of 1929 leading to the Great Depression, the lack of money could be seen in fashion, as demonstrated in films such as It Happened One Night and Bonnie and Clyde.

For Hollywood and the rich, bigger was better when it came to attire. Double-breasted suits, full-cut trousers, and tuxedos were the standard of what a gentleman should wear in the 1930s.

1930s Mens Fashion: Retro, Gangster, And Hollywood-Esque

It is undeniable that the Great Depression had a substantial impact on men’s fashion. The somber, double-breasted suit of the 30s was a far cry from the flashy style of the roaring 20s.

In spite of the hardships of the time, formal wear made a quick return. However, the availability of newer, cheaper materials made suits more affordable. Sweaters and trousers became more widespread (especially among middle-class families), while useful clothes such as coats became common.

When the economy recovered from the economic crisis, some brighter colors returned to summer fashion once again. Later in the decade, blended and synthetic fabrics made clothing more affordable for many who preferred practicality and comfort over the “all-over-the-place” aesthetic of the 20s.

Highlights Of 1930s Mens Fashion

The Drape Suit

During the 1930s, the classic V-cut suit was very popular due to its imposing silhouette, broad shoulders and long drapes, as well as its softer material that allowed for a great deal of freedom of movement.

Accessories

Due to the popularity of fedoras during the decade, top hats were still sometimes worn on formal occasions. The vibrant colors of the previous decade were replaced with statement pieces, such as wide, colorful neckties. Loafers and brogues were the footwear of choice—fashion choices that are still very popular today.

Here is a look at 1930s Mens Fashion

1930s mens fashion

1930s mens fashion

1930s mens fashion

George Melly, Soho Jazz Festival, London, 1993.

1930s mens fashion

During the 1930s, men’s fashion experienced a convergence of style and resilience, navigating the Great Depression with practical yet refined ensembles. In addition to the iconic drape suit, statement accessories like fedoras and wide neckties shaped the era’s aesthetic, combining elegance with flexibility.

Following the onset of economic recovery, a gradual return to color and advances in fabric technology reflected an increasing optimism. There is no doubt that 1930s men’s fashion has left an enduring legacy of sophistication and innovation as a testament to creativity thriving despite adversity.

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Luxury Jewelry Maker Cartier Doesn’t Give Stuff Away, But They Pretty Much Did For One Man In Mexico

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MEXICO CITY — Cartier, the luxury jewelry brand, is not known for giving out gifts, but in the case of one Mexican guy, they pretty much did.

Rogelio Villarreal was browsing Cartier’s website when he stumbled upon an offer that appeared too good to be true. “I broke out in a cold sweat,” he posted on his X account, previously known as Twitter.

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Luxury Jewelry Maker Cartier Doesn’t Give Stuff Away, But They Pretty Much Did For One Man In Mexico

Cartier made a mistake and advertised gold-and-diamond earrings for 237 pesos ($14) rather than the exact price of 237,000 pesos ($14,000). Villarreal ordered two sets.

What ensued was months of back-and-forth, during which he claimed Cartier offered him a consolation gift instead of the jewelry, and Mexican officials supported his argument that the corporation should uphold the listed price.

Villarreal eventually received the earrings last week at his price, and he posted a video online of himself unwrapping them. But he quickly grew tired of the public attention, realizing that not all that glitters is gold, and posted on Monday, “Alright already, talk about something else, I’m tired of the earrings being the only thing anyone knows about my personality.”

Villarreal’s case had become a lightning rod online during a particularly polarizing period in Mexico, ahead of the June 2 presidential elections.

Some onlookers chastised Villarreal for taking advantage of what they perceived as a genuine error by the high-end jewelry manufacturer. Some claimed he should return the earrings or pay taxes on them. Some called him a thief.

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Luxury Jewelry Maker Cartier Doesn’t Give Stuff Away, But They Pretty Much Did For One Man In Mexico

Villarreal, a doctor doing his medical residency, claimed he had to fight for months to get the company to deliver and that it offered to give him a bottle of champagne instead.

The corporation did not reply to inquiries for comment.

“I have the worst luck in the world, and I’ve never made any money, and what I do have is because I bought it,” Villarreal posted on social media. However, he could now purchase two $14,000 sets of earrings for only around $28.

He says he gave one of them to his mom.

“It feels great and it’s cool not to be the underdog for once in my life,” Villarreal said.

Profeco’s representative, Jesús Montaño, validated Villarreal’s account of his struggle.

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Luxury Jewelry Maker Cartier Doesn’t Give Stuff Away, But They Pretty Much Did For One Man In Mexico

“He filed a complaint in December,” Montaño explained. “There is a conciliation hearing scheduled for May 3, but the consumer already received his purchase.”

When asked about ethics, Montaño stated that corporations “have to respect the published price.” If an error occurs, “it’s not the consumer’s fault.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Fashion

Hermes Lawsuit Claims Luxury Retailer Reserves Its Famed Birkin Bags Only For Its Biggest Spenders

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Hermes is the object of a new lawsuit alleging the luxury retailer of only selling its renowned Birkin handbags to customers who had spent a lot of money at the store on other items.

The proposed federal class-action complaint, filed this week in San Francisco, claims that Hermes violates antitrust law by requiring buyers to purchase other items in the store before being permitted to purchase a Birkin bag from Hermes.

Hermes Lawsuit Claims Luxury Retailer Reserves Its Famed Birkin Bags Only For Its Biggest Spenders

Birkin handbags, created from leather by artisans in France, can cost tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars on the secondary market and are seen on the arms of celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Cardi B. The handbags may only be purchased in a Hermes store, not through its online.

However, the complaint contends that the average client must do more than just stroll into a Hermes store, see a Birkin on display, and purchase it. Instead, “deemed worthy” customers will be shown a Birkin in a private room.

According to the lawsuit, Hermes sales workers are responsible for identifying qualified customers to purchase Birkins.

Hermes Lawsuit Claims Luxury Retailer Reserves Its Famed Birkin Bags Only For Its Biggest Spenders

The lawsuit claims that “these sales associates are directed by Defendants to only offer Birkin handbags to consumers who have established a sufficient” purchase history” or “purchase profile” with Defendants or Defendants’ ancillary products such as shoes, scarves, belts, jewellery, and home goods.

While sales associates do not receive a commission for selling Birkins, the lawsuit claims that they are trained to utilize the Birkin purses to pressure customers into purchasing other products for which they are paid a 3% commission.

The company waited to immediately reply to a request for comment early Thursday.

Hermes Lawsuit Claims Luxury Retailer Reserves Its Famed Birkin Bags Only For Its Biggest Spenders

The lawsuit seeks class-action status for all residents of the United States who have purchased or been asked to acquire auxiliary products to purchase a Birkin over the last four years.

The plaintiffs are seeking specific monetary damages and a court order against the companies’ alleged selling techniques.

SOURCE – (AP)

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