Boris

The Commission:
"Please make me a panel I can carry on an airplane to deliver to my friend Jerome Hines in New York..." 

Jerome Hines was famous both for his role as Boris Godunov and for his Christianity.  This panel was presented to him near the end of his life by a very dear friend to celebrate decades of fellowship and to honor is career at the Met  (and his famous performance at the Bolshoi!) The panel has the onion domes of St. Basil in Moscow and the crown of Boris Godunov that Mr. Hines wore while singing that role....

Just below is an autographed picture of him singing at the Bolshoi!  And below that, a picture of him moments after receiving this panel...