Operavision

“Caruso sings a snippet from the opera, “Adriana Lecouvreur” (which he created the role), accompanied by the composer, Francesco Cilea.

The title, “No, piu nobile,” is the first line of the enor part of the duet. No soprano was at the session, so the composer plays on and on after Caruso’s solo until the recordist, Fred Gaisberg, decided that enough was enough.

This recording was recorded in Milan on December 1st, 1902, during the session to make a alternate version for two worn-out masters which Caruso made in April of that year.

This record is not in my possession. It is now in the collection of a Chinese collector, H.K.S, whom I bought the Moreschi record. The audio was recorded by him, with the Berliner “Improved” gramophone.”

Now that is fabulous, with Cilea at the piano. How luxurious the tempi and correct. The words and the tone of the voice dictate the speed of expression.

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Getting ready for the festivities. I love this whole period from Thanksgiving on till the 7 of January. So full of emphasis on family, and friends and being good to all your fellow beings.

Always so thrilled to be in New York for the dropping of the ball in Times Square.

This is the newest gondolier for me. He is quite famous in the world of soccer but this is a fabulous image of the gentleman guiding a beautiful ship home. I always liked soccer.

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Sitting here thinking back on the year. Looking forward to the next. Music is still the salvation for me.

A very arresting and intriguing election took place this November last, aerating the ground for hopeful and positive changes promised in the New Year with this historic Presidency.

Strides still to come in the corridor of human rights and civil rights applied equally for all.

One day this glorious flag will fly over a nation that treats ALL it’s citizens the same.

As the step daughter of former Commander in the United States Navy, I salute all those incredible and brave men and women who are so very far from home this holiday season. Thank you for what you are doing and another prayer is that you are all home safely as soon as possible.

The amazing Magda Olivero still knows how to have fun and wow people. Amazing artist, God bless you.

The tedium of non musical disciplines. This little “dreamer” reminds me of me on a diet. He is imagining that that big ole’ carrot is really a giant hot fudge sundea!” Positive visualization. No choice really, too young to throw in the towel, too old to feign ignorance of the harm of carrying weight in the extreme.

Fighting the inner and the outer struggle, and defending the world of opera from needless attacks, sometimes leveled by it’s own servants. It has nohing to apologize for.

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Can’t say this was a banner year. Almost time for dancing in the New Year. What will you be doing?

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Certainly not new, but new for me here. Each month I am going to put up a poll that will ask the question,

“Which aria or piece of music would you like to hear in my voice?”

And, I will post it. Not streaming live, because I haven’t figured that out yet, but I will record it in the month ahead and post it to Operavision.

I am investigating ways to speak LIVE but that will be for the future, and after I reach my goal weight, I will also blog answers to questions I received at my aprilemillo.com site as well.
It is a great way to continue to get to know each other. So, there is novelty.

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My sincere warmest wishes go out to all of you, the weary travelers on life’s stage, for a safe and happy Holiday Season.

May you be cloaked in a feeling of health and contentment, surrounded by the most precious gift of them all, family. For all those with loved ones far away, protecting all of us, may you feel our gratitude and may you see your loved ones home safe and sound the soonest day honorably possible. It has been a crazy year, but in all the chaos, there is a chance to grab victory. Greed has shown an ugly face, a face more devastating in it’s singular selfishness than ever imagined. Times ahead will be rough but in it’s voyage we may see a better defined America, more in keeping with her true ideals, and we may pull together for the first time in a long time. That could be very interesting.

Keep your loved ones close, send a prayer to the Heavens for the grand friends and family who have crossed over, and have yourself a VERY Merry Christmas and may God hold you close in the palm of His hand.

Don’t forget to leave the window open a little, so Santa can get in!

and this arrived from a great long time fan! Thanks!!!!

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It’s that time of year again. My favorite Holiday is this, Christmas. Families gather, new and adopted and extended, and share their hearts, their dreams, their sorrows lifted, if even for a moment. Grace, my brother and I will go and feed those who need some loving, and some help, and then off to open gifts with some other of our dear friends.

Dressing for the dinner in celebration of so glorious a day, and praying for good times ahead for this beautiful country, please better times ahead, and a more peaceful world for all.

So now as we are still in preparation of the fun and hopefulness ahead, hug those you love, keep them very close, and on Christmas Eve, as the lights go down low in anticipation of Santa, may you capture some of your childhood dreams and may ” sugar plum fairies” come rushing to make your sleep sweet and innocent like bygone days….. missing my Mama, and family this Christmas and always, I drink a cup of kindness yet.

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Why not?

Really. A distinguished and fabulous family of public servants. Her father without question one of the greatest Presidents ever, her mother a fabulous figure of strength and culture that got this country through the darkest of all times both for herself and her grateful country.

New York owes a huge debt to Jacqueline Kennedy, she defied the odds to save so many landmarks in this city, the glowing return of the Grand Central Station to it’s former glory is thanks to her tireless work and that’s just one example.

I remember having the distinct pleasure of meeting her at the Metropolitan Opera one evening, a woman of real class.

Her uncle Bobby was a terrific representative of New York and very beloved here. They hassle about “hereditary seat“, a “dynasty“. Since when has a lifetime of service from multiple members of one family been something to complain about? Usually, privileged families think about themselves and how to spend their money. Not so in this case. Distilled from their earliest thought the Kennedy’s generation after generation have sought to make the world a better place.

Caroline would make a hell of a good Senator. An accomplished and tireless advocate for literacy, devotion to privacy, she has several very well written books about it as well as the Constitution, an attorney, champion of education and the arts. She would make her amazing Uncle, the one and only Senator Edward M. Kennedy, very proud and together they would make affordable Health Care a true option for all in America. Hillary was a sterling and wonderfully attentive Senator, I think she would be thrilled as well. I sincerely hope this happens.

Her parents would be so proud, and her darling brother would be brimming with pride. God bless them all.

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Dieting like a mad woman, a creature of the “gym” slowly but surely, melting these “how did they get here?” insulation pounds away, sick of having this non musical thing to do.

You think Oprah is mad.

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