Mark Reizen at 79- Amidst the din of the ball (Tchaikovsky)

The great Ukrainian-born Jewish bass Mark Reizen (1895-1992) sings Tchaikovsky’s “Sred’ shumnovo bala“ (“Amidst the din of the ball“), , No.3 (text by Aleksei Tolstoi). Recorded 1974. Even at age 79, the ever-youthful and spry Reizen sings with beautiful control of dynamics and legato, putting to shame many singers half his age. Eleven years later, Reizen celebrated his 90th birthday by performing the role of Prince Gremin in “Evgeniy Onegin“ (at the Bolshoi Theater)- a feat that appears to be unequalled in the history of opera.