Comin’ thru the Rye

2010. Amazing. New decade begins.
When I was in high school, the thought of the Millennium was of a far off date, from my graduation in 1976 from Hollywood High, I would joke to my friends, “Can you imagine what the world will be like?” Here we are already a decade in. Preparing to bring in the new year, and reflecting as I always do on the events of the year and the friends and family I surround myself with… feeling very blessed.

A couple of dear friends crossed over and I will raise a cup of kindness yet in their memory at Midnight…..dear Dolores Sutton and Geri Tallone.

May God bless this marvelous country, this amazing world we love in. May we learn Peace is the only alternative, and acceptance and compassion is the only solution. May our brave brothers and sisters be brought home safely from the wars, and may all those who cry out in torment and need have a hand that lifts them from their misery. We do hear, we are here, here with you we are.

Thank you for the little victories this year, so important, and for which I am full of gratitude. One step at a time, moving forward, serving music, loving and living and giving.

Happy New Year, and as Tiny Tim intones, “God bless us everyone”……… Amen.

All you need is love by the way. This great youtube video speaks, or rather sings for itself….

Tebaldi in New York! Spectacular chance…..

“Profonda and Infinita!!”
A little animated Tebaldi wishes Christmas Greetings complete with puppy….and leads you to her superb web site and the amazing news that it looks like New York will get to show it’s love again for the great Tebaldi as the magnificent Tebaldi Exhibit, seen all over the world, finally comes to New York. If only to the hear her blessed voice singing a real Butterfly, “Vogliatemi bene!…” with Carlo Bergonzi…. go see for yourselves the happy, not to be missed news.

Spread the word where you can….. cut and paste these in your browser window….. and go!!!!

As of now, It has been moved to this date 18 or 19 of Settembre to 31 Ottobre 2010. The exhibit will be displayed at the Casa Italiana/ Italiano Institute of Culture on Park Avenue.
Riccardo Muti will speak about Renata and the exhibit at a press conference the 15 Marzo 2010 at the Institute of Italian Culture, among other things I imagine. Please keep checking back at the Tebaldi official web site for further updates on this thrilling news. Be ready to support this great event……

“http://194.184.205.10/tebaldi_natale/tebaldi_natale.html”

and her website…..

“http://www.renatatebaldi.eu/index.php?/it/Latest/”

Nella Repubblica, Italian newspaper…… click….

Repubblica-domenica_1_nov_Tebaldi_parte_prima
Repubblica-domenica_1_nov_Tebaldi_parte_seconda

Finally taking a breather….

What a whirlwind little trio of months this has been. Four months ago, and fifty-five pounds fatter, not moving well, back in crisis, and health at risk, life was passing quickly. How merciful God can be. Working hard to push past the stubborn remains of an “isolationist” fat, and winning. The music playing for this period, “Bach’s Sleeper’s Awake….” Planning for the New Year’s, and then so many interesting ideas. Must complete the transformation and then be about my real business, making music.

2010, twenty-ten, amazing. Morning breaks across a wintry New York sky. “Habe dank”, oh yes, “Habe dank!”

25th anniversary-Recital- a few lovely excerpts

The “Elegie of Massenet” with Lynn Harrell, cello and Lucy Arner, piano

“Ne poi krasavitza…” Rachmaninoff with Lynn Harrell, cello and Lucy Arner, piano

“Villa Triste” with accordionist Mary Lou Vetere

“Laggiu del Soledad” from Puccini’s masterpiece, “La Fanciulla del West” with Lucy Arner, piano

25th Anniversary Met Dec.3-1984

Some memories and photos, so thrilled and proud.

Debut: June 1984 Ernani Central Park
Debut: Dec. 3, 1984 in house Met Opera Simon Boccanegra
Ernani, Elvira
Don Carlo, Elisabetta
Aida, Aida
Il Trovatore, Leonora
Otello, Desdemona
Turandot, Liu
Luisa Miller, Luisa
Andrea Chenier, Maddalena
Un Ballo in Maschera, Amelia
I Lombardi, Giselda
Mefistofole, Margarita, Helene
Tosca, Tosca
La Gioconda, Gioconda

Il Trovatore, debut for role at Vienna State Oper 1988
Aida debut for role Salt Lake City, 1980
Ernani debut for role 1982-83 Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Andrea Chenier- debut for role in Santiago Chile, 1985
Mefistofole- debut in role- Lyric Opera of Chicago 1991
I Lombardi- concert staging role debut- Opera Orchestra of New York 1987
Tosca – role debut- Teatro Liecu- Barcelona – 1997
La Forza del Destino- Bavarian State Theater- Munich- 1992
Simon Boccanegra, Don Carlo, Turandot, Luisa Miller, Otello and Un Ballo in Maschera
and Mefistofole as Helene and Margharita, all for the Met Opera for role debut.

Opera Orchestra-
William Tell, Lombardi, La Battaglia di Legnano, Andrea Chenier, Il Pirata
La Wally, Adriana Lecouvreur, La Gioconda, La Fanciulla del West

“Habe dank!”

No need to eat it, it just looks so pretty, I left it to other people, but how very thoughtful….. 25 years……

Beauty of a theater with a thorough and excellent staff, thanks to them. Almost midnight, “mezzanotte”…… tired and very happy…….”Habe dank!!!”

T-minus and counting

What a genuine pleasure to do this….. So many fabulous people and music, hard to take it all in.

The …..

This charming chat with City Arts journalist Eli Jacobson was very enjoyable and he is quite knowledgeable.

Still completely nothing from the Times.

Do they not care about an organization of 40 years doing a great and courageous thing to “tread water” in bad financial oceans?

Little over two weeks and counting. So very thrilled to make music with so wonderful a group that has come to celebrate with me.

http://cityarts.info/?p=419

Ah yes, I remember it well.

What might have been if there were never the fight about Sabine Meier? Mrs. Salzburger gave me this type written paper, and I was to report to do a test disc of three or four arias for DG. How I wish that had come to fruition.

How proud I was to return home telling everyone how Von Karajan had accepted my talent and wanted to work with me. They had heard about it and I basked in the afterglow for a little while. I will never forget him or that whole tour of Germany and Austria. Thanks to Elisabeth Schwarzkopf…. He would remember me when Jessye Norman became ill for a Ballo at the end of his life. Mrs. Pavarotti called me saying Rudi Balmer had called her looking for me. He had not forgotten. What music we could have made.

Refining the program, something I love to do. God how I love music.

The bliss of making music

A dear friend of mine is facing mortality. In the wee small hours of some morning, at God’s calling, they will cross over and stand before God.

Another new friend, a talented man of art and emotion in colors, died suddenly of a heart attack. His portrait of me is a marvel of captured being. I was so honored and proud.

During this week, I have labored keeping emotions in check and preparing for the recital for Eve Queler. I am struck by how much music is my salvation.

Nothing tops it in my life. It is a gift from God. How grateful I am to have it in my life.

In deep gratitude and remembrance, I keep a somber vigil…..