Paul C. Echols

Paul C. Echols, musicologist, conductor and director of the Mannes Camerata. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Dutoit and additionally signed and dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1982 / Paul C. Echols Director of the Mannes Camerata as Ovid in 'La Dafne' (1608) by Marco da Gagliano."

Echols was an expert in medieval music. He directed the Mannes Camerata, the college's resident early-music ensemble, and developed the school's early-music program. He was also the head of the Mannes opera program, and in the last 12 years he directed or conducted 12 Baroque operas and six Renaissance theater pieces, many for their American premieres. He had an interest in contemporary American music, as well, and mounted several modern operas at Mannes.

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.