“Alan S. Gordon, a colorful union leader who represented singers, dancers and stage managers at many of the nation’s leading opera and ballet companies—and who sometimes used unconventional, theatrical tactics on their behalf—died on Friday in New Hampshire,” writes Michael Cooper in Wednesday’s (1/6) New York Times. “His daughter Elizabeth Gordon Rosenfeld said he died after having a stroke and attributed the death as well to complications of multiple system atrophy, a rare neurological disorder. As the executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists, Mr. Gordon represented chorus members, soloists, dancers, choreographers and production personnel at major companies across the country, from the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Ballet to the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet…. Gordon was born in Manhattan on April 22, 1945…. He attended public schools. After graduating from City College and Syracuse University College of Law, he began working in the labor movement. He held positions with the Textile Workers Union of America and, later, the Directors Guild of America. He joined the guild of musical artists, known as A.G.M.A., in 2000…. Besides his daughter Elizabeth, Mr. Gordon is survived by his wife, Susan; another daughter, Jessica Gordon; and a grandson.”
Posted January 7, 2016
