Palaces on Stamps -4th Definitive Series Russia 2003
Russia brought out the 4th Definitive series in 2003 featuring Palaces . Two stamps on are listed
1.00 r -Ostankino Palace – It is a former residence and private opera theatre Sheremetev family located north of Moscow.It was built between 1792-98.
1.50 r – Gatchinsky Palace It is a palace in Gatchina in Leningrad oblast. It was built from 1766 to 1781 by Antonio Rinaldi for Count Grigori Orlov. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Provincial Flags of Papua New Guinea on Stamps -2004
Papua New Guinea issued a set of beautiful and colorful stamps on Provincial Flags of Papua New Guinea. This was the second issue from series of three and all were definitive stamps.
The details of stamps and Provinces featured are
70 t – Madang Province – Red ,Black and Yellow stripes represent National Flag. Six white stars represent six districts .In black and white Madang’s memorial to coast watchers of WW II surrounded by coconut palm branches (agriculture) and a slit drum for tradition are featured.
70t – Eastern New Britain Province – A Green stripe separates Red and Blue Traingles Four white stars over blue represent the National Flag. Traditional shell money surrounds a circle. traditional masks of Tolai(dukduk) and Baining dancers are in centre
2.65k – Eastern Highlands Province -Red and Green triangles form the background . Inside a large yellow star in centre , a one legged man named Nokondi holds a coffee branch ( main cash crop).The star has six points (six districts).It is surrounded by eight smaller stars (for local government councils).
2.70k –Morobe Province – The background stripes are green (for vegetation),yellow (for Markham Valley) ,Blue (for sea).A white Bird of Paradise(for animal life),white pigss tusks(for tradition), a brown and yellow kundu drum (for festivals)and spears (for traditional warfare) are at the centre.
4.60k- Milne Bay Province – Milne Bay is SE tip of Papua New Guinea. Vertical stripe of green on left (for plants ) and white (for beaches ).A square is divided into triangles of blue (for sea)and red (for festivals).A Yellow star on red represents Eastern star (a seafarers guide) and Christian missionaries
10k –East Sepik Province – In upper right quarter a yellow Bird of paradise ( National Flag) is set on red background. In the lower left quarter a haus tambaran ( for hills and plains people ), crocodile (for river people),shark (for coastal people).kundu and garamut drums, spear and lime pot (representing culture ) are set over a green background.
A First Day Cover with stamps is listed.
Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre – Stamps of USSR
The Kirov theatre is a prominent and historic Opera and Ballet theatre in Saint Petersburg Russia.It was opened on 02 Oct 1960. It has staged premieres of stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Rimsy -Korsakov.
Through most of Soviet era it was known as Kirov Theatre to commemorate the memory of Leningrad Communist Party Leader Sergey Kirov (1886-1934).Today it is known as Mariinsky Theatre and is home to Mariinsky Opera, Ballet and Orchestra.
It was named as Imperial Mariinsky Theatre after Empress Maria Alexandrovna,Wife of Tsar Alexander II. This name it retained from 1860 to 1920.
From 1920 to 1924 it was known as State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.
From 1924 to 1935 it was known as Leningrad State Academic Theatre of Opera & Ballet.
From 1935 to 1992 it was known as Kirov State Academic Theatre of Opera and ballet.
From 1992 till date it is known as State Academic Mariinsky Theatre.
A stamp was released on 12 May 1983 to commemorate Bicentenary of Kirov Theatre.
International Year of Mozart in Israel -1991
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 Jan 1756 – 5 Dec 1791) was born in Vienna ,Austria.He was an influential composer of classical era.He composed more than 600 works which included Symphonies,Concertos and Operas.
The Year 1991 which was 200th Death Anniversary of Mozart was celebrated as International Year of Mozart in Israel. A stamp was issued by Israel on Mozart on 02 Dec 1991.It features Mozart and Score of Dan Giovanni.
Stamps on Music Composers – GDR 1985
The erstwhile German Democratic Republic (GDR) issued a miniature sheet with three stamps paying tribute to three great music composers.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)– German composer and musician of Baroque period.He is known for his instrumental compositions such as Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg variations as also for his vocal compositions such as St Mathew Passion and Mass in B Minor.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)-German -British Baroque period composer.He is well known for his operas,oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Coronation anthems performed at all coronations since George II.Other famous works include water Music, Messiah.
Heinrich Schutz (1585-1672)-German composer and organist,most important composer of 17th Century before Bach came on the scene. He wrote the first German Opera Dafne performed at Torgau in 1627.
Stamps on Opera Singers – Nicaragua 1975
Nicaragua issued a set of Stamps on Opera Singers on 22 Jan 1975. The 3c stamp features Lotte Lehmann as Princess in “The Cavalier of the Rose”.
Charlotte “Lotte ” Lehmann (27 Feb 1888- 26 Aug 1976) was a German Soparno associated with German repertory. She gave memorable performances in operas of Richard Strauss,Richard Wagner,Ludwig Van Beethoven,Puccini,Mozart and Massenet.
Stamps on Ludwig von Beethoven
Ludwig von Beethoven (17 Sep 1770- 26 Mar 1827) was a German composer and Pianist.He was born in Bonn and died in Vienna. He remains one of the most recognised and influential composers.His best known compositions include 9 Symphonies,5 Piano Concertos, 1 Violin Concerto, 32 Piano Sonatas, 16 string quartets, a mass the Missa solemnis and an Opera Fidelio.
He worked with Neefe as assistant Court organist in Bonn between 1783 to 1785 In 1786 he moved to Vienna .
Surinam issued a set of stamps to mark his 200th Birth Anniversary on 25 Oct 1970.
Maldives issued a stamp in 1977 to mark his 150th Death Anniversary. The stamp shows as Court Organist in Bonn in 1785.
