Piroska Varga

Piroska Varga, singer, conductor, teacher, songwriter and writer writer. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Varga and additionally signed and dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1982 / Piroska Varga singing 'Meine Lippen, die Kussen so Heiss..." Giuditta."

Hungarian born Piroska Varga has established herself since her arrival for a position in 1994 as a well-known choral expert, aural specialist and music educator throughout Australia. She graduated from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest in 1984. She has taught and performed extensively in Europe, Asia and Australia. She has been associated with most of the major universities and choirs in Australia. Piroska prepared and conducted many of the large choral works with orchestra and participated in many grand productions including the opera Renard by Stravinsky, the Symphony of a Thousand by Mahler, the 2000 Olympics Arts Festival in Sydney and the Festival of Voices in Tasmania. Piroska lives in Melbourne and works as a freelance conductor and music teacher, songwriter and writer. Piroska has been included in the 2000 Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century and the One Thousand Great Intellectuals by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge.

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.