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Carmen. Scene from the opera. Photograph from 1942–1943
“As there was no orchestra pit in the Philharmonic,” Velter recalled, “the musicians were placed in the two side boxes to the left. As the director I had to take into account the performers’ physical condition, especially the chorus (the Radio Committee Chorus was performing – Ed.). Many were so emaciated that they could only sing sitting down. <...> Those who were able to came closer to the public, and we soloists had to make a great effort using make-up and costumes in order to look like happy Spanish people. We were worried that firing or an attack would stop us beginning the performance on time and so everyone involved – singers, dancers, musicians, make-up artists and lighting technicians – had arrived five hours before the start. <...> At the very first notes of the overture the audience was a sea of white handkerchiefs – the audience were wiping tears of joy away.”
N. Velter. About the Opera House and Me. Leningrad: Sovietsky Kompozitor, 1984. P. 137