Leonie Rysanek final curtain call - Elektra - Salzburg Festival 25/8/1996

If you are interested to get the complete video recording of this performance , you can contact me :
mail : [email protected]
whatsap : https://wa.me/33637103213
Telegram : https://t.me/Dominique_R

This the very last curtain call ... In spite of a still superb vocal condition, the legendary Leonie Rysanek had decided to put a final term to her career after more than 30 years dedicated to her art. Since Vienna, her home city, had failed to propose any interesting production for her farewell, she had decided to accept this new production of Elektra in Salzburg.
For the very last time, she was able to experience the immense love pouring from the audience. Nobody - except her and her beloved husband Elu - was informed at this moment that she only had a very short time to live. Leonie died of cancer 6 months later ... she had planned this farewell very consciously. With utmost lucidity, courage and dignity.
On the day of this performance, the audience had been informed by a group of fans that this performance would be actually the last one for Leonie. Of course she had declined to make any official announcement in line with her dignity and her professional ethic : even though she knew she was an authentic legend in the operatic world, she never wanted to act in the "diva" style, and always considered that a good performance was the result of the entire "team", and had a great respect for all her colleagues.
This is why during the endless ovation expressing the gratitude and love of the audience, in spite of the fact that this ovation was obviously directed to HER (you can hear some "Leonie !" "Leonie!" at times), she INSISTED again and again to bring her colleagues with her on the stage. As I was filming, a friend of mine brought just in front of the stage the piece of white fabric that you can see at some point where I had written in large letters "THANK YOU LEONIE" in french english and french. When Hildegard Behrens (Elektra) sees it at a certain point, you can see on her face that she is happy for her good friend Leonie, for whom she had an immense respect.
I will upload the entire performance as soon as possible ...
In ten years of "pirate" videotaping tens and tens of opera performances, this moment definitely remains the greatest and most precious recording I have ever made. Leonie was and will remain forever the "empress" of opera singers. She also was my friend and one of the most beautiful human beings I ever met. Seing these images still brings tears to my eyes. It is a privilege to finally share it.
Those of you who want to know more about this extraordinary artist can join   / leonierysanek.tribute   (thanks to my friend Petros who setup this beautiful page to honor the memory and legacy of Leonie)