“Habe dank!”

•November 22, 2009 • Comments Off on “Habe dank!”


A triumphant night if i may say so myself.

Some thoughts.

Loved the voice with different instruments. Mr. Harrell and Mr. Collins Lee and Merynda Adams and Miss Vetere, were all superb colleagues. My pianists were amazing as well, Lucy Arner and Danielle Orlando. Loved the duets with fabulous tenor, Michael Fabiano and the fabulous Luis Ledesma, baritone.

The dancers were so beautiful, so elegant and wonderfully choreographed by “So you think you can dance” star choreographer, Melanie LePatin, with stunning Iveta and Gherman am Russ and Katushka.

I especially loved the audience singing along with the tribute to Luciano, it is something to hear almost everyone singing along, some with great gusto, to “O sole mio” He would have loved it.

Wish it had been taped. If only just to show people how much fun you can have at a recital. Especially mine. More coming on a possible repeating of the New York recital with same program only more opera coming soon. Early Fall, and that will be taped.

The gentleman who was returning to his seat fell in a faint, and hit his head, was “out” for a bit so I understand. He wrote to me kindly on Facebook to tell me he loved what he saw of the concert and was happily just fine…. dehydrated. Glad he is back in good form.

Do wish I hadn’t been so dry because much of what I marked for second half I have sung recently and wanted to sing. All designed to show the voice in various styles and flexibility has not ever been a problem for me. Cannot wait to show that it still isn’t, although the voice is larger. The idea to put a large selection down and then pick from among was my effort to be aware of the emotion of the night and what that may or may not make possible and I had seen it done smartly and so right in the program of Maria Callas and Giuseppe Di Stefano when they appeared in Los Angeles at the Shrine, and wanted the same freedom of choice according to their emotions….

The diet meds are very drying and that is what I will have to endure till I arrive at maximum success weight loss. I was thrilled by the number of people and the amazing audience…. the great friends who played so beautifully with me, and the emotional feeling of the night. Yes, I wanted a costume for the first half and got it, superbly made by Broadway genius Eric Winterling and the wig, no sprays allowed when I sing, was from the legend of wigs for movies and Broadway and the West End in London, the one and only Paul Huntley….. it was and is a desire to emulate the “Jenny Lind” performances, romantic period of ballroom dresses used for great performances and recitals of the past. I do not like leather jackets and open shirts and no tuxedos or formal wear for recitals, sorry. Never got to wear the second half gown which was simpler, but mind you, still grand and beautifully done.

My, what a terrific and encouraging night.


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

•November 15, 2009 • Comments Off on T-minus and counting

Times Sunday

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

The …..

•November 4, 2009 • Comments Off on The …..

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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.

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Ah yes, I remember it well.

•October 25, 2009 • Comments Off on 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.

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

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The bliss of making music

•October 20, 2009 • Comments Off on 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…..

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Happy Birthday, Luciano!

•October 12, 2009 • Comments Off on Happy Birthday, Luciano!

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I miss you so much, and the greatness you give to the world. The gold in that throat ….. Bravo, dear Luciano!!!

Your army stands with you, Elizabeth.

•October 6, 2009 • Comments Off on Your army stands with you, Elizabeth.

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We are all sending white light and healing energy to you……. we love you.

So thrilled to have them with me…..

•September 24, 2009 • Comments Off on So thrilled to have them with me…..

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Super “Post”

•September 9, 2009 • Comments Off on Super “Post”

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“Old-school diva Aprile Millo celebrates her 25-year partnership with Opera Orchestra of New York on Nov. 17 with a solo recital at Frederic P. Rose Hall. The soprano, perhaps the world”s foremost stylist of Italian romantic vocal music, always draws an audience of hard-core cognoscenti, who are practically an opera in themselves.” Mr. James Jorden, for the New York Post’s “Fall Arts Preview”.

Deeply sad, yet she is triumphant

•August 19, 2009 • Comments Off on Deeply sad, yet she is triumphant

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The world of music lost a great lady yesterday in the crossing of Hildegard Behrens, a voice and person of honest and beautiful intensity. To her millions of fans all over the world, and to her dear friends and family, my prayers, my solace, solidarity and heart are with you.