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Paw Prints TidBits for December Over the years, great illustrators have created and shaped the popular vision of Santa Claus. In the beginning, St. Nicholas was shown wearing bishop's robes, but in the 19th century, thanks to the political cartoonist Thomas Nast, he was transformed into a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat trimmed in white fur, with a black belt and boots, carrying a bag full of toys. What a transformation it's been — from Nast to Haddon Sundbloom (who illustrated the Coca Cola ads in the '40s and '50s) to Norman Rockwell (of Saturday Evening Post fame) to Dean Morrissey (with his yearly tribute to Father Christmas). Some of my favorites are shown in this month's slideshow. Our anecdote for December is about Sir Rudolf Bing, an Austrian-born opera administrator. And the sidebar has a few quiet reminders about the value of kindness. Joy and peace to all during this special time. If you have any comments or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us. Anecdote of the Month Sir Rudolf Bing (1902-1997)
W o r t h . Q u o t i n g . . . The opera always loses money. That's as it should be. Opera has no business making money.
—Rudolf Bing B i o g r a p h i c a l . N o t e . . . Austrian-born opera administrator. He was manager of the Glyndebourne Festival Operat (1935-39, 1946-49), artistic manager of the Edinburgh Festival (1947-49), and general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, New York (1950-72). M o r e . I n f o r m a t i o n . . . More images of Sir Rudolf Bing. Read a memorable moment related by photographer Paul Seligman. Archives Visit the Paw Prints TidBits Archives. Subscribe to Paw Prints TidBits Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to our mailing list: |
'Tis the Season The Kindness of Strangers • You have not lived a perfect day...unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you. ~Ruth Smeltzer • It is never too late to be what we might have been. ~George Eliot • Wherever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness. ~Seneca • Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. ~Anonymous My favorite Santa... |
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2009
In Sir Rudolf Bing's 5000 Nights at the Opera there is a photograph of the author sitting all alone in the old Metropolitan Opera House, a solitary figure in a sea of empty seats. On seeing this picture his brother commented, "No wonder you have a deficit."
