In the early 1970s I would attend performances at NYCO several nights a week. After I would often have late night supper at the Monks inn on 63rd. Dominic Cossa and Richard Fredricks would dine there also and welcomed me at their table. Over the years We would discuss the performance and share personal feelings. I followed their careers feeling the same personal involvement that you so clearly expressed.
Thanks for sharing Bob! I swear knowing the performers in some way and have a good seat in the theater can completely change the opera experience. I will die on this hill!
I could not agree more! Especially when any celebrity shares my own feelings about things. I always enjoy their performances in an enhanced way. I thinks it is a human desire to “share” with others. A connection is there even though I will never meet them in life. 🙂
That is such a great point. Thank you for sharing! I know exactly what you mean. I am glad I finally wrote this post and put this simple thought down on paper.
I feel a much deeper connection to the singers and each opera’s whole production process now that I have access to the met HD-in-theaters-experience. The backstage camera view and interviews have educated me, enhanced my enjoyment and, most importantly, made it possible for me to see a lot of world class opera despite living in a smallish town.
Thank you for sharing Deirdre - I love this perspective and you are making me want to watch more of these Met productions online (I am in Florida now and not in NYC anymore so I don't often have the chance either to see these works in person).
With respect to your recent journey south, what an embarrassment of riches! Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" + Sarasota, Florida + BFF (and fellow mezzo soprano) Heather Johnson + your terrific January 2021 interview with her! After years of Trump trauma and pandemic pandemonium, I was glad to learn that opera singer and OD contributor Heather Johnson is back on stage singing, performing and making a living with her talent.
I enjoyed revisiting her remarks about Suzuki, one of her favorite roles: "People might think this is a thankless role, but she has some of the most delicious music in the opera with the duet in Act 2 and the trio in Act 3. Also, she is such a rich character. She is the only one who never leaves Cio Cio San's side. She is entirely devoted, and because of that, her fate is directly tied to Cio Cio San's."
I also appreciated her comments as follows: "For me personally, a good performance is a combination of great singing and great acting. Although, sometimes, I am riveted by someone's dramatic performance so much that I will forgive some vocal flaws and vice versa. A great performance is one that moves me."
Inspired by your friendship, aware that you continue to hone your craft and knowing you truly support each other, here are two quotations for you, Heather and all who cherish their friends, whether old or new, near or far:
- A best friend is someone who loves you when you forget to love yourself. (Unknown)
- Best friends don’t expect anything from you. They just accept you the way you are. (Maxime Lagace)
Thank you both for welcoming me into your world.🎻🎹👩🏽🎤
In the early 1970s I would attend performances at NYCO several nights a week. After I would often have late night supper at the Monks inn on 63rd. Dominic Cossa and Richard Fredricks would dine there also and welcomed me at their table. Over the years We would discuss the performance and share personal feelings. I followed their careers feeling the same personal involvement that you so clearly expressed.
Thanks for sharing Bob! I swear knowing the performers in some way and have a good seat in the theater can completely change the opera experience. I will die on this hill!
I could not agree more! Especially when any celebrity shares my own feelings about things. I always enjoy their performances in an enhanced way. I thinks it is a human desire to “share” with others. A connection is there even though I will never meet them in life. 🙂
That is such a great point. Thank you for sharing! I know exactly what you mean. I am glad I finally wrote this post and put this simple thought down on paper.
I feel a much deeper connection to the singers and each opera’s whole production process now that I have access to the met HD-in-theaters-experience. The backstage camera view and interviews have educated me, enhanced my enjoyment and, most importantly, made it possible for me to see a lot of world class opera despite living in a smallish town.
Thank you for sharing Deirdre - I love this perspective and you are making me want to watch more of these Met productions online (I am in Florida now and not in NYC anymore so I don't often have the chance either to see these works in person).
I am grateful for the opportunity to have been reintroduced this week to Renata Tebaldi (https://fondazionerenatatebaldi.org/en/biography/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renata_Tebaldi), and to discover Fiorenza Cossotto (https://peoplepill.com/people/fiorenza-cossotto/;Fiorenza Cossotto-Wikipedia) for the first time.
With respect to your recent journey south, what an embarrassment of riches! Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" + Sarasota, Florida + BFF (and fellow mezzo soprano) Heather Johnson + your terrific January 2021 interview with her! After years of Trump trauma and pandemic pandemonium, I was glad to learn that opera singer and OD contributor Heather Johnson is back on stage singing, performing and making a living with her talent.
I enjoyed revisiting her remarks about Suzuki, one of her favorite roles: "People might think this is a thankless role, but she has some of the most delicious music in the opera with the duet in Act 2 and the trio in Act 3. Also, she is such a rich character. She is the only one who never leaves Cio Cio San's side. She is entirely devoted, and because of that, her fate is directly tied to Cio Cio San's."
I also appreciated her comments as follows: "For me personally, a good performance is a combination of great singing and great acting. Although, sometimes, I am riveted by someone's dramatic performance so much that I will forgive some vocal flaws and vice versa. A great performance is one that moves me."
Inspired by your friendship, aware that you continue to hone your craft and knowing you truly support each other, here are two quotations for you, Heather and all who cherish their friends, whether old or new, near or far:
- A best friend is someone who loves you when you forget to love yourself. (Unknown)
- Best friends don’t expect anything from you. They just accept you the way you are. (Maxime Lagace)
Thank you both for welcoming me into your world.🎻🎹👩🏽🎤
Love this! thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️