Notes
Lev Rejnarowycz (1914-1987) was a famous Ukrainian opera singer, patriot, and a great musical force in mid-20th century Ukrainian Diaspora. From 1941-1944, he starred in numerous Ukrainian, Italian, and German operas in the Lviv Opera. His most famous performances include Count Di Luna in Verdi's IL Travatore, Scarpio in Puccini's Tosca, Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen, Karas in Hulak-Artemovsky's Zaporozec Za Dunaem. In 1946 the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration applauded his "excellent" performances, recommending him highly to every music lover. Besides individual concerts, Lev Rejnarowycz was also the Founder, Director, and Soloist of the Ukrainian Opera Ensemble of New York, which was sponsored by the New York State Council on the Arts. During it's twenty year existence the Ensemble staged the follow Ukrainian operas: Zaporozec Za Dunaem, Nocturne, Czornomortski, Svatanni na Honczarivci, Natalka Poltavka, Nevolnyk and Madame Butterfly. As part of his repertoire Rejnarowycz appeared in the leading roles of the following original operas. They were written and premiered by Ukrainian composers, living in the USA. They include: Vidma by Pechenihy-Uhlycki in 1964 (Carnegie Hall), Anna Jaroslavna by Rudnytski in 1969 (Philadelphia, New York, Toronto), Lys Mykyta by Ovcharenko in 1970 (Philadelphia, New York), and Olha Keivska by Ihor Bilohrud in 1976 (Chicago). Hear Anya Rejnarowycz sing a soulful, lyrical duet, 'Hai Shumliat,' with her father, twenty five years after his passing. This collection is particularly valuable because of the historical significance of his most well known live performances such as the premiere of Anna Yaroslavna, Zaporozec Za Dunaem.
