Wed, 17 November 2021
I think that now Franco and Loretta are having another spaghetti fight (with sauce) in CIELO!!! They had to re-decorate the hotel room.
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:07am EDT
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Wed, 17 November 2021
Quite an amazing singer. Not really the usual countertenor...quite wonderful. I bet Marilyn Horne loves it.
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:03am EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
I know I am a crab,but I think I know the difference between this and most of singers of today!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:59pm EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
Not my friend Marisa Galvany. Maria is really an oddity,but quite amazing!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:55pm EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
DISCOVERY!!!!Not really a typical countertenor. Reminds me of how I sang along with Caterina Mancini at age 16.They almost called the police!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:51pm EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
Not in love with the staccati, but a fine artist.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:44pm EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
Michael is a special guy.He is one of the throwbacks to my all-time favorites, and a very nice guy.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:42pm EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
Wonderful high tenors we adore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:31pm EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
Talk about excitement! We do not have any Leonie's today..(or Corellis,or Gobbis, or the kind of excitement we loved.
Category:general
-- posted at: 8:43am EDT
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Tue, 16 November 2021
The most incredibly exciting Leonie made her farewell, knowing the end was near. How we adored her!! I had fallen so did not sit here and post,but will catch up. I now have 24 groups on Facebook and if you wish links, E-mail me at Placido21@aol.com. Be well in this difficult time. Charlie
Category:general
-- posted at: 8:36am EDT
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Thu, 28 October 2021
Here is the birthday boy telling the Dallas audience to SHUT UP..I agree;I hate coughers.The opera was DRISTAN. Someone needed VICKS cough drops.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:31pm EDT
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Wed, 20 October 2021
I hope you enjoy my dear Virginia, one of opera's great ladies. She sang over 70 roles, from Lucia to Aida and Senta and a huge variety of roles, and she still sings a few high notes on the phone.
Category:general
-- posted at: 1:11pm EDT
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Wed, 20 October 2021
On October 21, we will celebrate the 96th birthday of my darling friend, the wonderful Virginia Zeani. I never have enough words to express my love for this wonderful lady, and one of the great artists of opera.
Category:general
-- posted at: 1:05pm EDT
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Mon, 18 October 2021
How many singers can last as long as the late great Edita Gruberova? She did have a rather "eccentric" vocal technique, but she achieved greatness, and we think affectionately of a great lady who "let it all hang out."
Category:general
-- posted at: 6:38pm EDT
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Wed, 6 October 2021
Because I watch more TV, and have Apple TV with my Youtube, I have been watching some real JUNK....sometimes there is an opera person, but mostly insane delusional people, some of whom become FURIOUS at losing. This is not opera,but I wanted you to see that some people (even opera singers) do not realize they are unbearable.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:41am EDT
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Wed, 6 October 2021
Nostalgia!!! Bergonzi is 72. Friends Millo and Plishka and others I miss.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:29am EDT
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Wed, 6 October 2021
I call my dear Virginia to see how she is.She is 95,in a Florida facility. One of the greats!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:16am EDT
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Wed, 6 October 2021
Better than a few Met singers..No names!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:10am EDT
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Wed, 6 October 2021
Love German baritones and basses. More people should go to Youtube and/or Google and discover them.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:03am EDT
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Wed, 6 October 2021
Loved her in Louise. Poor thing died of Covid. One of the fine sopranos.
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:49am EDT
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Wed, 6 October 2021
Catching up on some birthdays,etc. Will do more and thanks for your patience.
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:47am EDT
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Fri, 24 September 2021
On Cornell MacNeil's birthday, 9/24/22,let us remember how we went NUTS!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 4:54pm EDT
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Tue, 7 September 2021
On Angela's birthday (9/7/65) I post when she met my darling Virginia. They are very close!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 2:25pm EDT
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Mon, 6 September 2021
For YEARS I have heard in my ear Daniele Barioni in the Butterfly section at 29:40,where that middle voice rivals Carreras,Gigli, Di Stefano,Schmidt. Also my adored Stella is the soprano.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:28am EDT
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Mon, 6 September 2021
There are FIVE tenors in my life whom I saw live which I adored:Corelli, Del Monaco;Tucker;Bergonzi AND Daniele Barioni...such a gorgeous voice..sometimes pushed, but love the voice. Of course, I do not want to forget Beczala,Gedda,etc..but I wanted to list five.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:19am EDT
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Fri, 3 September 2021
Pardon me...The post on opera pirate craziness came out 2 times by accident..and I have to learn how to edit better.will do. Hope you enjoyed it.... https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk004mBsAWECrB3UuI8f6aJ2sm61fnQ:1604156109463&q=zinka+milanov+rare+footage&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj4_8WYi9_sAhXJUt8KHdXuCfkQ1QIoAXoECCsQAg&biw=941&bih=626 FACT...Not opinion...... Anyone who cannot hear her greatness (even at 57) is DEAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:01am EDT
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Thu, 2 September 2021
I Pirati..but not Bellini I must tell you some tales of how crazy tape-pirates suffered and strained and might have gone to Alcatraz. You may know some stories..but they are TRUE...and often hilarious..Ok..Here goes..I am in a good mood since Cole struck out 15 Angels. 1. After meeting the great Soviero, I bought a Phallic microphone and so she was able to hear herself LIVE at City Opera. 2. Speaking of "Phallic," a friend was taping in Philadelphia opera from the orchestra..with the mike in his lap,pointing UP..Suddenly,the lady next to him did a "double take," thinking for a moment he was..... (No..he was not a standee). 3. Someone hung a mike on a wire down from a balcony!!!! Someone else pressed the wrong button on the machine (open reel then) for act 2..but got the end of act one..LOUD! 4. I had trouble at Olivero's Met debut,finding an empty bathroom stall..everyone was changing reels....Also, Carnegie finally clamped down on the Queler p[irates and one guy came out of the stall and his machine was confiscated!!!!! 5. Caballe knew her friends were taping..She got to the encores at a recital..and waited till then turned over the cassette. A friend, Bob Fazio, who used to make fun of German, until her married ONE...started to turn over a cassette at a pause in the Sacred silent Fischer-Dieskau Recital (YOU VILLL nicht breathe!!!!) and some people (from the Producers??) looked at him as if he vas Churchill!!!!! 6. I was late a few seconds for Act 3 of a Rigoletto(Pavarotti,Sutherland,Milnes) and you hear for a few seconds my word........well...it was really annoying to tape live...you had to concentrate on the dials, the mike not being seen (black thin cloth over it), not being reported (one lady did it once to me in a Mefistofele..but I then turned it back on.) 7. At a recent Netrebko Carnegie recital..I SWEAR a Russian lady,connected to MOSCOW, hld up her cell phone....!!!!! 8. Speaking of being nuts to tape...the Quler pirates made sure they sat in the front center of Carnegie to get the best sound for their future LP's of the Queler Performances. One night a trickster, during an intermission, HID one guy's machine..also another guy yelled from the balcony..Hey, Did you get a good tape! 9. One man became a MUMMY for a Carnegie Recital and placed mikes in between his two armpits (STEREO).. No breathing.... 10. They once rigged up a machine in the car in the garage next to Carnegie with wireless capabilities to the person's Carnegie machine...but on the tape..you hear.."Hey, Joe...where should we park it?) As Anna Russell said, "I'm not making this up, you know!!!!!!! Who tapes now??No Zinka..no Baum...and even though you can tape VIDEO.....so much is on Youtube...you just have to relax and enjoy the opera,withoput worrying you will end up like Al Capone. I thought of two more: So as not to loose music,the trick was to quickly,at the end of a reel, put the empty one in your TEETH and hold the other and turn....BUT one night at Carnegie...it slipped out of a guy's mouth..and the reel went up the aisle..bump...bump...bump... By the way,,,,every single singer LOVED Pirates..maybe a rumor of one or two objecting...but Rosen spread Carreras..I spread Soviero and Galvany...but i nevr got a PENNY from those cheapies. One little tidbit..It may have nothing to do with taping.... Above Armen Boyajian's Manhattan opera apartment and studio, one of the pirates was murdered by his boyfriend.... Gee..maybe they should have put out some live tape of "La Morte di La Pirata" decomposed by Giuseppe Finocchio. I Pirati..but not Bellini I must tell you some tales of how crazy tape-pirates suffered and strained and might have gone to Alcatraz. You may know some stories..but they are TRUE...and often hilarious..Ok..Here goes..I am in a good mood since Cole struck out 15 Angels. 1. After meeting the great Soviero, I bought a Phallic microphone and so she was able to hear herself LIVE at City Opera. 2. Speaking of "Phallic," a friend was taping in Philadelphia opera from the orchestra..with the mike in his lap,pointing UP..Suddenly,the lady next to him did a "double take," thinking for a moment he was..... (No..he was not a standee). 3. Someone hung a mike on a wire down from a balcony!!!! Someone else pressed the wrong button on the machine (open reel then) for act 2..but got the end of act one..LOUD! 4. I had trouble at Olivero's Met debut,finding an empty bathroom stall..everyone was changing reels....Also, Carnegie finally clamped down on the Queler p[irates and one guy came out of the stall and his machine was confiscated!!!!! 5. Caballe knew her friends were taping..She got to the encores at a recital..and waited till then turned over the cassette. A friend, Bob Fazio, who used to make fun of German, until her married ONE...started to turn over a cassette at a pause in the Sacred silent Fischer-Dieskau Recital (YOU VILLL nicht breathe!!!!) and some people (from the Producers??) looked at him as if he vas Churchill!!!!! 6. I was late a few seconds for Act 3 of a Rigoletto(Pavarotti,Sutherland,Milnes) and you hear for a few seconds my word........well...it was really annoying to tape live...you had to concentrate on the dials, the mike not being seen (black thin cloth over it), not being reported (one lady did it once to me in a Mefistofele..but I then turned it back on.) 7. At a recent Netrebko Carnegie recital..I SWEAR a Russian lady,connected to MOSCOW, hld up her cell phone....!!!!! 8. Speaking of being nuts to tape...the Quler pirates made sure they sat in the front center of Carnegie to get the best sound for their future LP's of the Queler Performances. One night a trickster, during an intermission, HID one guy's machine..also another guy yelled from the balcony..Hey, Did you get a good tape! 9. One man became a MUMMY for a Carnegie Recital and placed mikes in between his two armpits (STEREO).. No breathing.... 10. They once rigged up a machine in the car in the garage next to Carnegie with wireless capabilities to the person's Carnegie machine...but on the tape..you hear.."Hey, Joe...where should we park it?) As Anna Russell said, "I'm not making this up, you know!!!!!!! Who tapes now??No Zinka..no Baum...and even though you can tape VIDEO.....so much is on Youtube...you just have to relax and enjoy the opera,withoput worrying you will end up like Al Capone. I thought of two more: So as not to loose music,the trick was to quickly,at the end of a reel, put the empty one in your TEETH and hold the other and turn....BUT one night at Carnegie...it slipped out of a guy's mouth..and the reel went up the aisle..bump...bump...bump... By the way,,,,every single singer LOVED Pirates..maybe a rumor of one or two objecting...but Rosen spread Carreras..I spread Soviero and Galvany...but i nevr got a PENNY from those cheapies. One little tidbit..It may have nothing to do with taping.... Above Armen Boyajian's Manhattan opera apartment and studio, one of the pirates was murdered by his boyfriend.... Gee..maybe they should have put out some live tape of "La Morte di La Pirata" decomposed by Giuseppe Finocchio.
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:02am EDT
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Mon, 30 August 2021
More later for Regina....8/30/22
The greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:06am EDT
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Fri, 27 August 2021
Wonderful Cast!!!!!
Love you,Paul!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vv978POJRE
Category:general
-- posted at: 8:09pm EDT
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Fri, 27 August 2021
Paul surely sang with the BEST!!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:57pm EDT
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Fri, 27 August 2021
It was 1961. I made my debut with Paul Plishka in Forza Marchese,Melitone). Look who made it???? Paul has been a great singer, despite \ some severe tragedies in the family. Love you,dear Paul!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:55pm EDT
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Mon, 23 August 2021
Nothing terrible about some modernization,but this is a joke!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 3:30pm EDT
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Sun, 22 August 2021
Do we need Grigolo or Bocelli????? I was really amazed! Will the voice change???
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:26pm EDT
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Sun, 22 August 2021
I blame the Pandemic for having me watch more on Youtube. I am totally SHOCKED that some individuals are furious when they lack any talent. I also cannot understand British English!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:16pm EDT
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Sun, 22 August 2021
I wish someone would teach a parrot Hojotoho or Di Quella Pira. Look,I have a rhino that sings all of Pelleas.
Category:general
-- posted at: 6:59pm EDT
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Sun, 22 August 2021
I am tired of this aria but it is not too hard for very talented kids!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 6:54pm EDT
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Sun, 22 August 2021
I am always so sad at the loss of these wonderful singers. I write to Marcello's widow and hope she will do as best she can. Dmitri and Marcello were pure GOLD!
Category:general
-- posted at: 6:50pm EDT
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Sun, 22 August 2021
One of the most gorgeous voices in "Sea Pictures."
Category:general
-- posted at: 6:46pm EDT
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Tue, 10 August 2021
Next time they do a Ring, I will run up on the stage and do Wotan. Look, I know some old Met standees who would be great Rhinemaidens. (Even some girls also)
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:16am EDT
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Mon, 9 August 2021
I prefer a heavier voice but these days...there are no Eva Turners or Birgit Nilssons. Her husband is the Calaf. (Yucch!!)
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:29am EDT
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Mon, 9 August 2021
I always say that Tebaldi was "la mia madre" and now my dear 95 yr.old Virginia Zeani has become so close to me. We speak often,and she is in a nice facility in Florida. I feel she has been one of the all-time greatest singers.
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:06am EDT
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Mon, 9 August 2021
I wrote to Travis Pratt, now a tenor, after I saw this. I expected RAP and got this..He is a nice guy and most unusual...
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:58am EDT
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Mon, 9 August 2021
Marcello Giordani left us too soon. He was a wonderful tenor and a dear man.I write often on chat to his widow. We must never forget those we have lost.
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:55am EDT
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Mon, 9 August 2021
It is my intention on my various sites to acquaint people with "lesser-known" singers..There are so many and I know you appreciate them.
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:51am EDT
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Mon, 9 August 2021
E flat!!!!! I love it!!!! Nice lady and huge voice. I did not know she had an E flat!!~
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:45am EDT
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Thu, 5 August 2021
https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
You might enjoy one of my 12 groups..... https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:32am EDT
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Mon, 2 August 2021
Dios Mio!!!! Look out,all you sopranos...I was never this good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:28am EDT
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Sun, 1 August 2021
It is difficult to find a favorite Caruso selection. Here is one of my loves!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 5:07pm EDT
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Sun, 1 August 2021
The "God of singing" Enrico Caruso,tragically died at 48...100 yrs.ago 8/2/21...NO ONE can ever si
Category:general
-- posted at: 5:04pm EDT
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Thu, 29 July 2021
Edita Gruberova had a rather "eccentric" vocal sound, but she was amazing, and people traveled all over to hear her.
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:52pm EDT
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Thu, 29 July 2021
I never saw him, but am told the voice was exciting.Whenever we hear thunder, we know he is singing in heaven!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:48pm EDT
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Thu, 29 July 2021
The great Mario!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:45pm EDT
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Thu, 29 July 2021
I was 15 and the first singer I ever saw live was Mario in my first opera, Aida.I saw him 40 times, and the man was sensational.He had a "bronze column of sound" from bottom to top.Loved this man.He once came out and said,"Hello,boys" in my poor little ear!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 7:34pm EDT
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Sun, 25 July 2021
I have been so happy to have sung in various opera groups, and have enjoyed some fine artists (like Sam Ramey,Paul Plishka, and Marisa Galvany) BUT some people live in a world of their own..like Sue...who also does the E flat in the Aida which I think I have published. She vocalizes on our NY bridge and therefore this accounts for many auto crashes. Mio Dio!!!!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 6:05pm EDT
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Sun, 25 July 2021
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCES6h-GjCki9eZg4gNu5fLg/videos
I found this.I hope you enjoy some of my old videos. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCES6h-GjCki9eZg4gNu5fLg/videos
Category:general
-- posted at: 4:41pm EDT
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Sat, 24 July 2021
When I taught languages I would do little plays with the kids. This is not our best effort, but it was so adorable to have the kids do this Barbiere Scene. I sang many Bartolos (one with Ramey) so I was familiar with this. LOVE KIDS!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 5:21pm EDT
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Sat, 24 July 2021
Because of the Pandemic, I have been doing much more posting and have made several groups.I sent you the "Commedia" URL and will send others in case you wish to take advantage of the postings. Here is another, and I will be sending more if you wish to join the groups or just enjoy the clips. Be SAFE!!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/342656360932112
https://www.facebook.com/groups/342656360932112
Category:general
-- posted at: 4:57pm EDT
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Sat, 24 July 2021
https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
Go here!!!!!!!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/801295193909819
Category:general
-- posted at: 2:30pm EDT
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Sat, 24 July 2021
I was there when she kissed the old Met stage. She made it to 105.Licia was born on 7/22/13. Last time I saw her, we walked together and I mentioned the Boheme w.Gigli, I felt I was walking with HISTORY!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 2:20pm EDT
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Sat, 24 July 2021
Fine baritone.I am discovering many new artists!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 2:15pm EDT
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Sat, 24 July 2021
Just one of the most remarkable examples of great singing. I place him with Gigli,Carreras and Bjoerling for the beauty of tone.
Category:general
-- posted at: 2:11pm EDT
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Sat, 24 July 2021
Buon compleanno!! Il gran tenore,Giuseppe di Stefano!!!! Incredibile but he made some bad vocal decisions. Still,he had a sensational voice.
Category:general
-- posted at: 2:08pm EDT
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Fri, 23 July 2021
My friend and favorite singer Piotr and a great new tenor...I hope Kevin can achieve Piotr's fame. Nicest guy!!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:30am EDT
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Fri, 23 July 2021
How lucky to work with a great lady..and a sweet person. Hope he goes far..Superb voice!
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:20am EDT
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Fri, 23 July 2021
I discover wonderful new singers..Here is one!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:12am EDT
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Tue, 13 July 2021
Here is the great man at 72. We never realized that he would emerge as one of the greatest singers ever,. I saw him 5 years later, and the man was amazing.
Category:general
-- posted at: 6:12pm EDT
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Sat, 10 July 2021
So nostalgic..and most of them gone...I love my memories....
Category:general
-- posted at: 4:09pm EDT
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Fri, 9 July 2021
The only time I ever was able to chat online with the dear widow of a great singer who left us so early.A tragedy but we will always remember dear Marcello who laughed when I said "Oh..you, sang Deek and his Johnson!!!. Wilma Ahrens is a gallant lady and I try to do what I can..but so difficult. He was great!!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:25pm EDT
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Fri, 9 July 2021
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:59am EDT
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Fri, 9 July 2021
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209473504400675
If anyone wishes to join, here is the URL. Great artists! https://www.facebook.com/groups/209473504400675
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:41am EDT
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Fri, 9 July 2021
Over the years, you come to find the very special operatic moments that thrill!!! Di Stefano,in 1950, sounds like the greatest, but sadly he made errors in his technique, but still the man was fabulous.
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:27am EDT
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Sat, 26 June 2021
My best Boheme,especially the Taddei/Carteri scene in act 3.Just the tender way thjat he says "Entrate" is a thrill, and she is superb. We do NOT have emotion in opera these days..
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:55pm EDT
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Sat, 26 June 2021
The usual stupid Met had him only a little and late..Great Man!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:50pm EDT
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Sat, 26 June 2021
Her caretaker says she sang around the house after 100.For me, the great miracle of singing.
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:48pm EDT
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Sat, 26 June 2021
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marcello+giordani+tenor
Wonderful man..I miss him so much.I write a lot to his dear wife. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marcello+giordani+tenor
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:46pm EDT
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Sat, 26 June 2021
Perhaps the greatest baritone EVER!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 10:43pm EDT
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Thu, 24 June 2021
When I posted on Burzio and others, I FORGOT something I probably posted..MY TAPE of the sensational Met debut of Magda Olivero, at 65. One of the TREASURES of my life!!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 8:40pm EDT
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Thu, 24 June 2021
Truly GREAT soprano with Rene Kollo.She was sensational in her prime!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 8:33pm EDT
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Thu, 24 June 2021
I am of the intolerant opinion that today,there are NO sopranos in the class of Burzio,Zeani,Spani,Scuderi, Soviero,Favero,Muzio,etc. They want it "generic!!!"
Category:general
-- posted at: 8:27pm EDT
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Thu, 24 June 2021
Mark Reizen 6/21/1895. Met had awful Tanovitski but this great man was a GIANT, even at 90!!!!
Category:general
-- posted at: 8:23pm EDT
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Wed, 23 June 2021
https://www.facebook.com/groups/207148584603823
I knew Regina 55 yrs...and her son Michael is so happy to see mom spread all over. Come join us.Next new forum will be called "Singers who never have should have quit their day job!!!!!"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/207148584603823
Category:general
-- posted at: 1:18pm EDT
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Wed, 23 June 2021
https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453
I know more about her than anyone, plus the crazy rumors..and you get great photos and of course Charlie at 19 looking in the limo. https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453
Category:general
-- posted at: 1:13pm EDT
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Wed, 23 June 2021
Little by little, I will catch up on many birthdays of artists. Two of them I just called send love to all those who never forget them. How could anyone forget I am the unpaid nostalgia agent for Zeani and Soviero, plus join my new Milanov and Resnik forums!!!!!! Avec amour!! Charlie
Diva Day I just wanted you all to know that Zeani and Soviero both send love to you.They know,as their unpaid agent, that I never let you rest when I rant and rave over them. Diana teaches like mad, and I told her and Virginia that they need to come back to the Met!! Diana was upset especially, since she knew Rolandi, and you know I was talking to a friend about City opera divas..Diana,Rolandi,Welting,Putnam,and others who were so wonderful and others we know who put opera today to SHAME!!! Diana,still with a voice, has been my second Tebaldi, vocally and personally. Lucky me to have heard these great artists who were the joys of my opera life.
Category:general
-- posted at: 1:10pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
I know Jeanette (6/18/07) was loved...but if you know films.......
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:41pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
Current stats: 2.093,066 "hits" 247.717 different people have seen/heard these podcasts. I am thrilled to do this for you.,
Error; from end of a message... Soviero and Galvany never paid me a dime for being their unpaid agent."
Join my Milanov forum.I gave you an article I just did. https://www.facebook.com/groups/495890038504453 never paid me a dime for being their "unpaid agent." BLESS YOU ALL!@!@!! Zinka Milanov in Opera Quarterly In the Spring Issue of Opera Quarterly in 1990, there are several articles on Zinka Milanov. I intend to quote some sections little by little, but I will start by listing the 34 opera roles she did, from 1927 (Trovatore) to 1956 (Ernani). Oh, to hear her in some of the ones we never heard would be a joy, especially to see her acting in Fanciulla! In order they are as follows: Trovatore,Faust,Butterfly,Tosca,Aida,L'Amore de tre Re,Lohengrin,Ballo,Turandot,Manon Lescaut,Walkure (Sieglinde),Tannhauser, ,Fidelio,Mefistofele,Boccanegra Juive, Tabarro, Ban Leget,Fanciulla,Rosenkavalier,Pique Dame,Libuse,Porin,Wm.Tell,Oganj,Chenier,Gioconda, Louise,Norma (first new role at Met 1939),Don Giovanni (Anna),Otello,Forza,Ernani. Mio Dio!!! I would go insane to hear so many, although I did prefer the vocal quality after 1950. I did see her in 12 of these roles, and half of the Verdi Requiem, plus some Ballo and Chenier rehearsals, totalling 90 and a half shows. Think of that voice in act three Walkure as Brunnhilde hands her the broken sword, or Elsa's Dream, or Depuis le Jour, or Minnie's Card Scene. (I vant to cheeeeat!),or jumping into a vat of Manischewitz VINE at the end of La Juive, or "Abscheulischer," or did she take the entrance D flat in Butterfly, and did she kick the Kimono??... . I will present eventually some quotes,but what a shame Bruce Burroughs never wrote the book. Also, could anyone actually PROVE a couple of the stories, except for the one I know,when she smelled the chickens and the butcher threw her out,or not signing my "unposed" but gorgeous Chenier duet with Tucker at the old Met closing. Especially, why she really cancelled the Leonora to allow Resnik to make an unscheduled debut...and she said, (as Resnik did her better than her) "I vas neyver seek." I heard two separate versions...but who knows??? I was trying to think of doing another forum, but I do not know anyone the way i knew her. The paradox is that she was in no way "lovable" like so many other singers, but look, how many artists of fame were like Joan Crawford??? n
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-- posted at: 9:33pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
They once said that McCormack said to Caruso, "How is the world's greatest tenor?" They said Caruso replied, "I did not know you became a baritone!" That may be true..but listen to the last high piano note here and it is GLORIOUS!!!
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-- posted at: 6:11pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
On this Fathers' Day I pay loving tribute to two wonderful artists whom I knew and who left us too soon. Marcello always talked about how some people did not love his "squillo" as did I, and the two "Russian kisses" I always got on my cheeks from Dmitri were so affectionate. I always write on chat to Wilma, Mrs.Giordani, a courageous lady, and I wish all you DADDIES my best. The Pandemic forces me to do more posts for you...and more coming.( over 2 million now.)
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-- posted at: 6:07pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
My ma danced in the Follies in the 1930's, and her dear friend was Jimmie Durante. Rudolf Bing fired the great Helen Traubel(6/16/1898) because she sang with Durante. My ma eventually came to love opera, met Tebaldi and other artists.
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-- posted at: 5:01pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
A beautiful performance of Verdi's opera,with Svetlana Vassileva, Renato Bruson(still can sing now), and Facebook friend, fine tenor Evan Bowers.
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-- posted at: 4:57pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
Catching up on recent birthdays.It was so very sad that Jerry killed himself over terrible depression. With my dear Soviero and Leo Nucci, still active today.
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-- posted at: 4:53pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
My darling 95 yr.old friend, Virginia Zeani, sings to her "daddy." Note the one word "caro," which represents the kind of emotion that is so special.We speak often on the phone.
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-- posted at: 4:47pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
Another from the "old school" of divas who were so emotional and exciting.
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-- posted at: 4:43pm EDT
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Sun, 20 June 2021
Dragana Del Monako,related to the Del Monaco family, had ingested perhaps valium.I do not think she was drunk. The poor tenor!!!!
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Sun, 20 June 2021
I am of the opinion, at times seeming intolerant, that in this era of mostly "pretty" singing, that Burzio represents the kind of emotional output that belongs to Zeani,Muzio, Favero,Albanese,Scuderi,Scotto, Soviero,Spani,Callas and others.
this era
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-- posted at: 4:29pm EDT
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Sat, 19 June 2021
Galvany always said that her "controversial" voice would have been more appreciated had Callas been around longer. Audiences did go wild over dear Marisa...and I was so thrilled in Bolena rehearsals to look down her throat on her D and E flat....
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-- posted at: 8:00pm EDT
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Sat, 19 June 2021
One of the treasures of my life is to be friendly, since our 1965 Iolantha, and later Anna Bolena, with Marisa Galvany (one of many names) She still has a D!!!!! Love her!!!
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-- posted at: 7:54pm EDT
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Tue, 8 June 2021
I had a friend who would "laugh" at the incredible Titta Ruffo.Caruso did not sing much with him...I wonder why????
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Mon, 7 June 2021
This called "Flash Mob" Do you have it in your country??? I think I will go,after the Pandemic, with Diana Soviero and do Faust Church Scene. We both still can sing!!!! We can do it in Walmart, where almost everyone is INSANE!!!!
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-- posted at: 10:44pm EDT
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Mon, 7 June 2021
Dear friends, In this troubled time,we must try to enjoy even a limited number of things. Posting to you and to other sites helps me and I hope all of your are bearing up as is dear Virginia Zeani, in a Florida facility at 95. Love to you all!!!!! Carlo
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-- posted at: 3:09pm EDT
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Mon, 7 June 2021
Yesterday on Facebook, I got a new friend by the name of Cecilia Gobbi, daughter of' the great man. She liked this clever video. I wish we had more like this!!!!!
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-- posted at: 2:40pm EDT
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