The Curated Collection | David Leventi



I have a confession to make: I am fascinated by the history of art, architecture, music and cultured society as represented by the opera houses that have been built around the world over the centuries. To me, they represent the coming together of many creative disciplines for the greater goal of thrilling the soul by engaging all of the senses. So when I came across David Leventi's series of photographs -meticulously depicting the interiors of world-famous opera houses - I gasped, I lingered. And when I learned the story and inspiration behind the series, I just knew I had to share them with you.


Leventi’s series “Bjoerling’s Larynx” is photographed entirely with either 4" x 5” or 8" x 10” Arca-Swiss cameras to maximize detail.  Architecturally meticulous, this body of work serves to historically document these national and cultural landmarks.


This latest series from Leventi was inspired in large part by the story of his grandfather, Anton Gutman who was a cantor trained right after World War II. He was trained by Helge Rosvaenge, a famous Danish operatic tenor who sang regularly with the State Operas in Berlin and Vienna, but Gutman was never afforded the opportunity to perform in these venues himself as he was interned as a prisoner-of-war. While living in a concentration camp in the Soviet Union, he performed for the prisoners and officers. “Nearly a half-century later, I grew up listening to him sing while he walked around our living room. As the son of two architects, I now experience an almost religious feeling walking into a grand space such as an opera house,"says Leventi.


I can't help imagining Leventi's grandfather, Anton Gutman, standing on these majestic stages and making his debut to audiences who would no doubt be as enrapt by his voice as by his courage and the story that brought him there. Leventi has certainly created a fittingly spectacular tribute to the life and legacy of his grandfather, and I can't escape the narrative woven into the images now that I know their family story.

Leventi's next solo exhibition will take place at Bau-Xi Photo Gallery, October 5-17th, in Toronto. I hope his story and his stunning images have inspired you and that you'll find time to make it out to see this series of stunning images in person.

xo
s.

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