Скачать или смотреть Steve Ostrow & Eleanor Steber - Live at the Continental Baths 1973

The American-born tenor, Steve Ostrow, moved to Sydney, Australia, in 1987 - commencing a new chapter is an already interesting life. He had spent most of his life in New York City both as an opera singer and as an entrepreneur, having built and operated the world-famous Continental Baths, and began showcasing live acts which were the launching points for Bette Midler, Barry Manilow and others. The Baths operated from 1968 to 1976, when NYC began going into a hard drug era and a financial depression. He auditioned for Opera Australia and was given the understudy of the title role of Verdi's Otello - and performed one rehearsal - a stage orchestral conducted by Carlo Felice Cillario. He then performed as a part-time chorister with the National Company as well as performing in Romberg's THE STUDENT PRINCE for Lyric Opera of Queensland. In Australia, Steve became a group leader for the Ankali Project, a volunteer organisation offering emotional support to PLWHA’s in Australia, for many years before founding MAG the Mature Age Gay Men’s Group in 1991. Having served six years as MAG President, in addition to being the Project Officer, Steve served on the Executive Board of MAG as ACON Liaison Officer. Steve Ostrow was director of the Sydney Academy of Vocal Arts and was a vocal coach to many young performers. He wrote his autobiography "Saturday Night at the Baths", along with several other books. In 2021, Steve Ostrow was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his work in advancing LGBTQ rights. This recording is extracted from a concert by the great American soprano, Eleanor Steber, held on a floating stage on the pool in the Continental Baths in 1973. The invitation card read "Black Tie - Black Towel" and the audience (in black tie and towel) included celebrity names including Leonard Bernstein and Patrice Munsel. The performance was presented by Steve Ostrow (who gives the introduction here) with pianist Edwin Biltcliffe. Steber, very late in her career, sings "Stars in My Eyes" by Fritz Kreisler and "The Merry Widow Waltz" by Franz Lehár. Her other repertoire in this concert included arias by Mozart, Charpentier, Puccini, Massenet and Sieczynski. Steve can be seen reclining in the wicker chair on the album cover. Steve Ostrow died on February 3rd 2024 in Sydney at the age of 91.