Death of a NY manager who kept Pavarotti’s secrets

Death of a NY manager who kept Pavarotti’s secrets

main

norman lebrecht

October 06, 2020

We hear that the emollient and diplomatic Hans Boon, a calming presence in Herbert Breslin’s hectic agency, died two weeks ago in Conneticut of a stroke. He had appaently been working on his memoirs, a tantalising thought.

Hans worked for Breslin through the Pavarotti years. He personally looked after the pianist Alicia de Larrocha and the soprano Kallen Esperian, among others. Before joining Breslin, he worked for Pavarotti’s record company, Decca.

He knew everyone.

 

Comments

  • nonbarihunk says:

    Hans really was a nice person who could be tough when he had to be. Always a diplomat!
    Above all he loved music and adored his opera.
    Shame if his memoirs never see the light.
    RIP, dear Hans, it was a pleasure to have known you.

  • olivier says:

    I am sad to hear the news of Hans’ passing. What a man he was and what an incredible source of knowledge. RIP mister Hans.

  • GCMP says:

    Would be fascinating to compare his memoirs with Mr Breslin’s!

  • David J Hyslop says:

    Norman :
    Sorry to hear of Han’s passing. You are correct in your assessment of Herbert’s agency . We were fortunate with the St. Louis Symphony as Hans came to town with Pavarotti ,not Herbert, for an arena concert and things went very well . Hans was a pro and a very kind man.

  • Victor Moné says:

    A very nice friend and knowledgeable person. He introduced me to Pilar Lorengar and that was a long time friendship until she died. Thank you Hans and you’ll be missed. R.I.P.

  • Larimi says:

    I had the pleasure of working with Hans when I was working for Alicia at CAMI. We worked closely together and he was a great contrast to Herbert. Always a gentleman and totally understood the artists he worked for. A truly wonderful man.

  • papageno says:

    The demise of these star agencies and managers reminds me we no longer have superstar names to manage anymore like Pavarotti, Tebaldi, Bernstein, Karajan, Horowitz. Today’s shows are run by musically-illiterate directors.

  • Shauna says:

    Hans was the ultimate gentleman. He taught me so much and I will deeply miss him. RIP Hans.

  • Marsi Boon says:

    On behalf of his family, I would like to thank everyone for their kind words.

  • MOST READ TODAY: