Lotfi Mansouri

One of opera's most influential general directors

In this clip, Mr. Mansouri, former head of Toronto Opera and the San Francisco Opera, is interviewed by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts Opera Honors. "Lotfi Mansouri talks about his journey to the U.S. from Iran and how he ended his medical studies to go on to a career that helped reshape American opera." His official website: www.lotfimansouri.com/

from Ghormeh Sabzi
10-Jul-2010
Iranians of the Day | Photos
Balatarin
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didani

I had never heard of him ...

by didani on Sun Jul 11, 2010 04:22 AM PDT

I wonder what would have happened if his father supported his love for music?! As far as Armenians, I think he was looking for an excuse to leave Iran. For every unhappy Irani (of any race), you could find few happy as well as few un-happy crowd and very many who just didn't care. He was in pursuit of the best and a young Iranian classical music establishment would only be an obstacle. Although eventually he had to settle for next best in the field (US and Canada). Overall, very interesting story, as he said comming from Tehran Iran and succeed among natives in the filed. Well done Mr. Mansouri.


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آشنا

Some insulting misinformation

by آشنا on Sat Jul 10, 2010 03:14 PM PDT

In 70s Iranians did not know the difference between Mozart or Beethoven and Stockhausen? Please ...! 

And the entire chorus were Armenians? First of all Armenians of Iran are Iranian. Secondly I had and still have several non Armenian friends in that chorus and in the Iranian ballet Co. 

Yes, there were many easter European musicians in those orchestras but the majority were Iranians.

Christens and again Iranian Armenians were mistreated and he had to go to lunch with them in clandestine? 

In 70s (and still) the guy was living in Ghajar era.  


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Darius Kadivar

FYI/EMINENT PERSIANS:Opera Director Lotfi Mansouri & Shahbanou

by Darius Kadivar on Sat Jul 10, 2010 09:25 AM PDT


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Marjaneh

What an absolutely deliciously beautiful man!

by Marjaneh on Sat Jul 10, 2010 07:29 AM PDT

Thank you so much for posting this!

He used to 'hang out' with Lotte Lehmann? (Rumour has it she was a grand seductress with "an appetite"...) 

'Didn't know that he was the first to introduce surtitles and got so much stick for it. Nowadays, of course, a lot of opera houses use them.

(And funny anecdote about that silly philistine of a  person saying that they wouldn't have known the difference between Stockhausen and Mozart, as if everyone's deaf. Mind you, sometimes I do wonder myself....)

 

What a lovely lovely interview!

"I still have my own teeth. 'Just can't remember where I've put them."


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R2-D2

Interesting Chap :)

by R2-D2 on Sat Jul 10, 2010 03:32 AM PDT

Hadn't heard about him till now :) - !

 

 


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