Charlotte Bergen

Charlotte Bergen, an amateur musician and conductor who for more than 10 years sponsored free concerts in which she performed in Carnegie and Town Halls. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Bergen and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1973 / Charlotte Bergen conducting La favola d'Orfeo by Clandio Monteverdi."

Miss Bergen was an independently wealthy woman who tended to her New Jersey farm as vigorously as she conducted at the concerts that she paid for. She presented her first free concert, of Monteverdi's ''Orfeo,'' in 1967 in Town Hall at the age of 69. It became a standard that was very popular with fans.

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.