Showcase Productions, Inc. was the original packager/producer of much of the prime time, live, dramatic, color, 60 minute and 90 minute programming which appeared primarily on NBC during the period between September 1954 and September 1957.

Producer's Showcase Library

"FESTIVAL OF MUSIC"

Directed By: Kirk Browning
Written By:
Produced by: Sol Hurok
Air Date: 1/30/56
Stars:
Show: produced by Sol Hurok, hosted by Charles Laughton, directed by Kirk Browning, musical director George Bassman, orchestra conducted by Max Rudolph of the Metropolitan Opera; stage concert with 13 of world's top opera singers and musicians, each performing a single number; the performers included baritone Leonard Warren ("Prologue" from Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci"), tenor Jan Peerce ("Vesti La Giubba" from Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci"), violinist Isaac Stern (lst movement of Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto in E Minor"), soprano Zhinka Milanov ("Vissi d'Arte" from Puccini's "Tosca"), coloratura soprano Roberta Peters ("The Doll Song" from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman"), cellist Gregor Piatigorsky ("Adagio and Rondo for Cello and Orchestra" by Carl Maria Von Weber), contralto Marian Anderson ("Beautiful City," "Poor Me," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"), mezzo-sopranos Blanche Thebom and Mildred Miller ("Barcarolle" duet from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman"), mezzo-soprano Rise Stevens ("Card Song" from Bizet's "Carmen"), tenor Jussi Bjoerling ("Che Gelida Manina" from Puccini's "La Boheme"), soprano Renata Tebaldi ("Mi Chiamano Mimi," from Puccini's "La Boheme"), duet by Bjoerling and Tebaldi ("O Soave Fanciulla" from Puccini's "La Boheme"), pianist Artur Rubenstein (Chopin's "Polonaise in C# Minor"); large supporting cast of singers, dancers.

Notes: