By now you know how Diana

Soviero,after 45 years,is still

my "Tebaldi Two." I was so

entranced by her Mimi in 1977,

that we began a wonderful

friendship. Fabio Armiliato

sadly lost his wife,Daniela

Dessi,so young. I know you

will love these artists!!!!

No one but me looked down

her throat at Bolena rehearsal

to see where the E flats came from.

He had a great high C,..

but we had to suffer a lot

because he sang with Zinka

so much. "Reliable," but an

ugly voice.

Miss my buddy and his

cheek kisses. So sad!

Only time I took a photo

Gigli 1955 entering

Carnegie Hall.He was

a sensation!!!

You can turn up the volume

on your recordings, but

YOU HAD TO BE THERE!!

I have learned how to

publish photos. I hope

you enjoy them, even

the ones with ME!!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/839265170062687

First singer I ever met.

I still feel the greasepaint.

Went to her apartment for

club meeting every year.

MOST BELOVED!!!

Miss her so much..Came

back to NYC to be honored.

I brought flowers.

I was not too bad...

On right..Sacristan..Had fun!!!

My sister

All my groups on Facebook

Puccini
Mozart
Rossini
Wagner/Strauss
Ring
Misc.German
Italiana
French
Scandinavian
Hispanic
American
English
Greek
Romanian
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Black
Ukranian
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Past Divas
Countertenors
Flashing
OUCH
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Conductors
Better Known
Milanov
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Gigli
Master Classes
Mahler
I am aware that I have so many groups, but they are successful. I would never do this if I thought my ego-maniacal self would be detested. I love to spread the word..and if anyone has a problem finding me on the internet for the URLS..Go to:
https://www.facebook.com/handelmani
Opera LIVES!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/518590689562026

https://www.facebook.com/groups/518590689562026

  One of the truly great

bassos. I know you will

enjoy him.

I have no names,but I

feel that Korea must

have some superb teachers.

I hope you enjoy them.

I have to apologize..I better

get busy and post more.

  Be well...Charlie

The Pandemic has caused me to

watch more Youtube. I know this

is not opera,but I just HAD to

show you people who have

escaped from some mental

institution..Well,I have sung

with some delusional people.

so I am not totally shocked!

BRAVO,Tenore!!

I call Virginia at times.It is not

easy to be 96, and in a facility

even though it is a nice place.

We speak of her great life,and

it is a great treasure for me

to know her.

Cast is shown.

I have no names,but S.Korea

produces some marvelous

tenors.ENJOY!!!

Nilsson,Frick,and DFD

in the great Gotterdamerung

Vengeance Trio!!!!

  I must catch up on material,

including birthdays.My dear

friend,Marisa Galvany had a

birthday 2 weeks ago. Here she

is..one of the greats...and only

Charlie knows all her fake names.

I am well aware of my "eccentricity" in making so many groups,.However I keep careful track,and many people belong and/or have looked at the posts, and many have added their own knowledge. I do cast blame of my need for activity, given the Pandemic and my refusal to wear a mask at Parsifal. But I do see an incredible variety of operas,singers,etc. and so my "education" at my advanced age seems to be helpful..If ever,you want to tell me to go back to knitting..let me know. I will also let you know the most popular..So far Baritones and Basses have over 1600...and 455 for Zinka,despite her liking only herself. GROUPS Puccini Mozart Rossini Wagner/Strauss Ring Misc.German Italiana French Scandinavian Hispanic American English Greek Romanian Jewish Black Ukranian Bar/Bass Past Divas Countertenors Flashing OUCH ZZZZZZ High/Low Died young Trios Verismo Bel Canto Singer Friends Treasures Shakespeare Fun POP Rare works Conductors Better Known Milanov Resnik Gigli Need any URL's??Let me know.

When I discovered opera,I

bought many Cetra-Soria

records (not cheap!!).I loved

Mario Filippeschi..Not a voice

of gold..but so exciting.Also,

Virginia Zeani told me how

she loved the guy.

This is in the HIGH key.

  Dennis Orellana, male soprano,

sings this better than Sutherland.

Nowadays,there are many male

sopranos and countertenors.

Caruso did not like to sing

with Ruffo..6/9/1877.Guess

why??Just incredibly huge

voice..Fabulous!!

I do not think there are too

many great singers, but I find

Sondra Radvanovsky-Lear and

Piotr Beczala very special and

they are so kind and friendly

to me.The "rare" selections

near the end are from Halka

and the Rusalka duet.

Ciao...I will be posting more..Just lazy

Can you imagine in your dreams

if at the SAME TIME  you had:

Tamagno,Lauri-Volpi,Masini,

Corelli,Del Monaco,Roswaenge,

Bocelli(miked), and Placido

(two octaves down).

How many of you..confessate-

have tried this???????

Beverly Sills started this

way....Amazing!!!!!!!

  I met Sondra Radvanovsky-Lear

years ago, and since then she

has emerged as one of our

very great stars. The amazing

element of her singing like

Fiorenza Cossotto) is that LIVE

should sounds,through all

registers, that she is singing

in my EAR!!! You cannot tell,

as with most singers,unless

you are THERE!!

In the past I have spoken of

and posted of the La Puma

Opera,from the 1960's. We

had to wear many sets of

Depends...They were serious.

Note this great tenor's superb

passaggio...Are there any such

groups in the rest of the world?

Ultimately, we had to run out

because we were afraid to have

an ACCIDENTI!!!

Some tenors are DOGS but

this dog has good taste.

Do any of you have opera-

loving pets?????

Because of the Pandemic,I watch

more TV,and came upon some

of the psycho auditions.I am

shocked that people actually

think they have any talent,and

some get angry that they are

not accepted. Go to Youtube

if you want punishment.

You already know I am a big

pain about today's singers.

However,Piotr Beczala for me

is a throwback to his idols,

Gedda and Wunderlich. He

is a sweet person,and great

artist!!!!

I called the great Magda Olivero

on her birthdays.For me, she was

a MIRACOLO...Her 104 years gave

opera such joy..She still had voice

at over 100.I know her caretaker.

Not a big luscious tone..but such

emotion and LOVE!!!!!

It was 1955...Gigli did three Carnegie

Recitals...at 65..I remember only

that he was a sensation. Could have

sung 10 plus more years,but in

1957 he passed away (on the same

day Renata's mother died.).

GIGLI was a GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A great honor for me to have

sung with that "new guy" whom

I know since 1971 Bolena.

Bartolo and Basilio!!!!!

We had fun!!!!!!

Before it sank,I saw Tebaldi

off on the Andrea Doria! It was

1956, and near my birthday.She

left me the LP London Forza!!

NO ONE was as dear!!!!

Since I have watched more TV and

also have made 40 groups on

Facebook...it is because I will NOT

go to the Met,even if Zinka and my

dear buddy Baum returned..People

have had vaccinations, worn masks,

and still got sick...so now I am SCANNING

and you will see some enjoyable photos

from my past life!!!!!!

 You know,since I started this podcast,

there are close to 2 MILLION HITS!

Sad that I cannot get comments,

because you get commercials..but

WRITE ME at Placido21@aol.com

(Placido is Jan.21 also,as you know,

but I am celibate.

  Love  Charlie,

This is a photo of Franco Corelli in a funny hat!

Terrible tragedy to lose

two great artists whom I

knew.I write to Giordani's

widow and always remember

dear Marcello and Hvorostovsky's

kisses on my cheeks.

   Wonderful traditional

Met Lucia..ORRRRRORE!!!

One does not have to sound

like Birgit Nilsson to be a

great star. Regina Resnik's

teacher was Giuseppe Danise,

married to Sayao.One night,at

a Resnik Gioconda,Sayao spent

the whole intermission with us.

A DELIGHT!!!!

At a tragic time, let us

bless the people who are

suffering in Ukrainia.

Some of you may be

acquainted with the

insane delusional people

on X-factor or American

Idol auditions. I watch more

Youtube because of the COVID.

I feel so NORMAL!!!!!

I am told that Norwegian

soprano Lise Davidsen is

 new special star.

I have posted so much

over the years,I may do

some repeats..Well,who

remembers???

Happy Mothers' Day!

I am glad my mommy did

not throw me into the

fire.

My darling friend,Diana Soviero

turned 80 Mar.19..like her Romeo,

Alberto Cupido...and my favorite

diva....my mother..Bless her!!!!

  No more singers..let us just

SHOCK the public!!!!

  BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will post more..Have

been busy....

  For me...the most

wonderful lady!!!!!

I knew Tebaldi...and I

guess I am blessed..but

I never met Magda...still

the lady was for me...special

Only 96...and I know

she sang like this

over 100!!!!!!!!

GIUSTO CIELO!!!!

The greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBU1HmANoHw

  I know  Magda's caretaker,

and he said she sang around

the house after 100!.She was

a miracle in the lives of

hose who appreciate great

emotion in opera/

When she uttered the words

"Loris,ove sei" when I saw

her...it was as if the entire

theatre SHOOK!!!  Not a

"Tebaldi voice" but like

Zeani,Muzio,Soviero,Favero,

she was all heart and soul!!!!

All one must do is to listen

to MY TAPE of the Olivero

Met 4/3/75 debut...at 65.

NO ONE like her. I used to

call her on birthdays...and

I consider her totally one of

the greatest singers EVER!!!!!

Many theatres are

playing this!!! I am

so sorry for the

people and wish

these courageous

people my LOVE!!

Not since my Tebaldi Met

Aida,has anyone been as

LOUD as the great Dolora!

Brava and happy birthday@@

There is just so much music

in life..I really had not seen

Diana's great Butterfly.I  have

to find the cast. I did send

flowers and champagne for

the 80th birthday Mar.19.I

still consider the greatest since

Tebaldi, who did once kiss her.

I have never booed..even Baum.

Look..the Met hired him. Last

week a guy yelled at Brenda

Rae during the Zerbinetta

aria.."You have no technique."

They threw him out...but we

know of the loggionisti at

Scala and other people doing

things LIVE..I was too shy and

never yelled at Zinka that her

kicking her train and dust in

act two Tosca made me cough!!

VAT????  You BUM!!!!

When Dolora had me do a mini

Handelman master class for

her students,knowing I knew

the "good stuff," I said to her,

"It must be some great thrill

to sing the Judgement Scene!!"

Answer:"I just want to get the

notes out!!!!"

I made one Facebook post that

was rejected and so I am forced

HAPPILY to drive you crazy

much more,until they let me

post..GREAT FOR YOU!!!!

Martha Moedl had 3/22 birthday

and Alfred Poell was 3/18. I can

still SEE Moedl in 1957 in Walkure.

Had some flaws...but for me a

great MIRACLE!!!!!!!

Who sings like this anymore????

On March 19, my darling

friend Diana Soviero turns

80..One of the greatest in

my life..When I called her

Tebaldi TWO..she said that

Renata once kissed her..Figures.

The 3/13/77 Mimi was a sensation

and we are friends forever..and

my mother, the other diva in my

life shares Mar.19!!!!

Just play the end of act 2

of this.I saw it in 1966.The

cast was sensational,but

at act 2 end,Ludwig was

stupendous!!!Bless her!

Ask me what was the

greatest perf.of my life.

It was 1966 Met Frau.where

Ludwig was a phenomenon!!!

Meester Baum, vy vas it

necessary to make Meester

Handelman to see you so

much..vell, it vas because

it vas with me...too much.

Sorry you suffered so much!

We just lost one of the

greatest singers I ever

heard..It was 1956, and I still

remember that great voice

in her Met Aida debut.I

adored her so much!!!!!

May we all hope and

pray for the great

people of the Ukraine.

Many countries are

singing their anthem

and feeling great

sympathy for these

courageous people.

On the great Eva Turner's

birthday...3/10/1892,here

are some great ladies in

Tosca.I saw Milanov,Callas,

Olivero,Tebaldi,Crespin,

Dessi,Radvanovsky,Galvany,

Roberti,Meier,Rigal,Nilsson,

Kirsten, and the GREAT

Olive Middleton...and a few

more

The next time I see my friend

Sondra Radvanovsky,I will

ask her how she could get

involved in this TRAVESTY!

It is even worse than the

Bieito Toilet bowl Ballo.

Are you tired of my all-time

favorite singer? I saw Zinka

88 times, and despite Baum,

it was in my opera life,the

greatest time...standing and

freezing!!!!  Bless her!!!

Sweetest,nicest lady.

Nelly is so special and

in the class of Zeani,

Olivero,Favero,Soviero.Also,

Romanians are helping the

Ukrainian refugees.

  On March 19th, my darling

friend Diana Soviero will be

80...and her Romeo,Alberto

Cupido will have his birthday.

When I met Diana at a great

Boheme in 1977, and sent her

the tape...she called me to

thank me on MARCH 19..

My MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY!

Two great divas in my life!!!

Remembering the famous

Mark Reizen,Ukranian basso.

May we all praise the most

courageous people of Ukrania

in a time of their suffering!

   Of all the singers I have

seen live..Tucker remains

the greatest tenor for me.

I write to his sons often and

am happy to have thrilled to

his great voice.

I BET most of you guys

(girls??) have sung this.

I tried!!!! The greatest in

my life...and only B flat

was GINO PENNO!!!

I once taped 31 of them

LIVE...and then I did no.

31...I think I used an

umbrella for a sword.

   Our hearts go out to the

people of the Ukraine!!!

Bless them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO ONE can tell me that Caruso

was not the GOD of singing. My

teacher,Jerry Lo Monaco,told me

That his teacher,Mr.Stanley,said

we only get 1/3!!!!!!!   If he had

lived,imagine  LIVE stuff!!!!

I met Diana Soviero on 3/13/77

and to this day I still say

she is Tebaldi TWO! She turns

80 on Mar.19 (my mother's

birthday!!)...Still has a  voice

and renowned teacher.

  My life has been so treasurable

knowing her!!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/467019241766609

https://www.facebook.com/groups/467019241766609

Many years ago, a student in

my Spanish class said that

his aunt sang opera.(BIG DEAL?)

It turned out to be a wonderful

singer and later a friend.I miss

her...wonderful lady!!!!

One of my many many groups

deals with singers not really

that well-known.Want the URL?

I will send it...Placido21@aol.com

  I am in touch with Magda's

caretaker..He says she sang

around the house after 100.

She made it to 104, and I feel

she was one of the all-time

opera miracles!!! I called her

every birthday to hear that

"Verismo Italian."

My dear friends,

Those computer glitches

had plagued me, but I

think things are better. You have

been so loyal over the years

(over 2 million hits) and I wish

to keep going. The Pandemic

is to blame for my creating

many facebook groups.Also,

you may get in touch by going to

https://facebook.com/handelmani/

If you wish to chat,I can tell you the

URLS of some of the groups.

Stay Safe..and MASKED!!!!

  Charlie

Computer glitches delayed

me in celebrating the 100th

birthday (2/1/22) of my darling

friend and LEGENDARY  artist.

Little did we know.at her Met debut

on 1/31/55..that when we met her,

it was he BIRTHDAY. I called Italy

on Feb.1...Words fail me....My second

madre...Mom met her and she always

said, "Com'e la madre?" The last high

note in the Butterfly addio once caused

a friend to accidentally hit me in the

ribs in standing room..I almost fell!

She broke the roof of the MET! I

could go on forever..my beloved

Renata....adored forever!!!!!

Bravo,Marcello!!!!!

You had a great D!!!~

As with almost every great

singer, you HAD TO BE THERE

LIVE....and Marcello was just

an amazing artist. I saw him in

Francesca,Edgar,Boheme,

Butterfly,Adriana,Tosca,

Pirata, Fanciulla (Zeani came)

and a master class.

Non posso scordare il

mio caro amico.

On this day, 1/25..I remember

with great affection, my dear

late friend, 1963..Marcello was

more than a great singer...with

that kind of "squillo" that was

so absent recently...he was  such a

kind man, and today I think of

him so fondly.   Con mio amore.

    Carlo.....

  For anyone who has been

living on another planet,I

present my birthday present to

myself(and Placido). You HAD

TO BE THERE!!!! 

Feliz Cumpleanos!!!

Usted y yo celebramos

el 21 de enero. Can you

spare a few dollars???

On Jan.21, we celebrate the

birthdays of two of the most

famous stars of opera. One is

a true baritone, y muy pobre.

El otro es un poco rico, y piensa

que es baritono.. But Placido is

a great artist, and we may go

sin mascaras a la fuente en

Lincoln Centro y vamos a nadar,

cantando en celebracion!!

 Soy un poco loco hoy...

Solamente hoy????

Not bad,Loretta.I do

hope you and Franco

are not having any more

spaghetti fights (with

sauce) in cielo.

It was 1962..First time

I heard this opera. I went

nuts with everyone.

They all sing it..So sick

of it...you must now hear

Sirach von Bodengraven,

from Denmark,where there

<

Happy New Year. Had a

few computer glitches

so hope to post more soon.

Stay Safe!!!! Love Charlie