xxx LEON LISHNER
Songs For The Dawn Of Peace
12″ Double Vinyl LP (1970)

Leon Lishner (4 July 1913 – 21 November 1995) was an American operatic bass-baritone. He was particularly associated with the works of Gian Carlo Menotti, having created parts in the world premieres of four of his operas. He performed in many productions with the New York City Opera and the NBC Opera Theatre during the 1950s and early 1960s.
After opening night of The Consul last week, it was a thrill for Steven LaBrie, who plays the Secret Police Agent in our production, to meet Denise Lishner, whose father Leon worked closely with Gian Carlo Menotti and created Steven’s role when The Consul was new, in 1950. After the out-of-town tryouts in Philadelphia and the record-breaking run on Broadway, Lishner went on to sing The Consul in Paris and London; you can also see his performance on the 1960 television film of The Consul, available from VAI. Said Ms. Lishner of attending Seattle Opera’s production: “I saw The Consul many, many times when I was young, so I had to stop myself from singing along! It took me back—I remembered the excitement, the lyrical beauty of the performances, and how mesmerizing it was to see my dad—whom I knew as a nice guy!—transform into this chilling, dark character.” Left, Speight Jenkins and Marcy Stonikas (Magda) with Denise Lishner and Steven LaBrie (Secret Police Agent); Elise Bakketun, photo.
Leon Lishner moved to Seattle in 1964, and had an important career both as a bass at Seattle Opera and as a professor at the University of Washington. He taught voice, directed many of the UW’s operas (including the previous production of The Consul in this city) and gave many recitals at Meany Hall. He was well-known for his performance of Schubert’s Winterreise, as well as recitals of Yiddish songs. In honor of Seattle Opera’s 50th Anniversary, here are some photos of Lishner’s roles for Seattle Opera:
SIDE ONE
The Minstrel Boy | The Skye Boat Song | Scotts Wha Hae Wi’ Wallace Bled | La Carmagnola | Ah, Ca Ira | Florian Geyer | Kevin Barry | Riflemen of Bennington | Viva la Quince Brigata | Los Cuatro Generales
SIDE TWO