People: People, Aug. 21, 1950

All in the Family

The audience one night last week at the Berkshire Festival had a special treat: Eleanor Roosevelt made her musical debut as the narrator in Prokofiev's symphonic fable, Peter and the Wolf. The First Lady emeritus, who had arrived to rehearse only that morning, read her score (solo passages underlined in black ink, lines with orchestral accompaniment in red) with a mellow distinctness, never missed a cue. The audience called her back for five rousing curtain calls. Said Conductor Serge Koussevitzky ecstatically: "Now the First Lady of the world is...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!