 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-07-03 02:46
Beverly Sills died this evening of lung cancer.
http://tinyurl.com/3bbmp2
Great artist.
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Author: OmarHo
Date: 2007-07-03 03:05
I always enjoyed her hosting the tv broadcasts of the MET and I also loved her personality.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-07-03 11:21
A great loss. She had a great voice and was a wonderful musician as well.
If, as I hope, there is a rush to reissue her recordings, watch for her Shepherd on the Rock with de Peyer. It's one of the very best.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2007-07-03 13:52
One of the all-time greats. One of the warmest people around as well. A great loss.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2007-07-03 15:08
I worked at the NY City Opera during Beverly's rein there as General Director, and her high regard for the Orchestra was rare and extraordinary. She was able to raise the level of our productions, get the audiences away from their TVs, and make all of us more aware of live music.
Having spoken with her on many occasions, I can assure you she was a "down to earth" person, interested in doing good for the music world in general.
"Bubbles" was one of the most vivacious and talented woman in the NYC theater world. Her passing is a great loss to us all.
She will be missed. She now sings to a higher power.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-07-03 20:44
John, your post re Beverly Sills puzzles me. During the 1983 strike of your NYC Opera Orchestra, Ms Sills was a tough adversary who had some not-too-kind things to say about the Orchestra members and their Union!
I believe in "forgive and forget", but Ms Sills was well known to bear grudges for a long time. I was present at ICSOM Conferences during that turbulent period and she was definitely not our pin-up soprano!
You apparently have forgiven (OK) and forgotten (?).
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2007-07-04 04:17
Hi Larry:
I'd say 24+ years is a long time, so I've chosen to "forgive and forget."
We're all in a better place now...aren't we?
Beverly is gone, as are many of my "friends" from the NY City Opera, and I believe she did more good there than harm. So I chose to praise her goodness, rather than bring up an ugly strike that did us no good.
Be well, my friend.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: KennyM
Date: 2007-07-04 06:19
She was a great lady. I always enjoyed watching her interviews with artists on public television. She loved music and opened new worlds to many.
God bless Beverly Sills and her family.
Shame on people for bringing up past resentments at this time and boasting about their "affiliations".
Deep in the Heart of Texas
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-07-04 23:54
George and Kenny,
History is history! I'm glad that at the end of the day Ms Sills accomplishments seem to have far outweighed her negatives. On the few occasions when I worked with her she was always friendly and collegial, not to mention vocally brilliant. (Is this "boasting?")
Ave atque vale!
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Author: glin
Date: 2007-07-05 22:11
On the PBS Charlie Rose show last night (Washington DC area), Charlie replayed interviews from the past with her. Not knowing much about her, I found it informative and interesting. She seemed like a nice person with a lot of talent as an artist and administrator.
You might still be able to catch it depending on your PBS affiliate schedule.
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-07-06 00:32
Quote:
John, your post re Beverly Sills puzzles me. During the 1983 strike of your NYC Opera Orchestra, Ms Sills was a tough adversary who had some not-too-kind things to say about the Orchestra members and their Union!
I don't know much about the 1983 strike, but the 1978 Musicians strike caused Sills final performance with NYC Opera to be post-poned a few months. The singers and dancers associated with Lincoln Center were none too happy at the time about the strike. It wouldn't surprise me if Sills had carried a bit of animosity towards the AFM by the time of the 83 strike.
Quote:
On the PBS Charlie Rose show last night (Washington DC area), Charlie replayed interviews from the past with her.
I saw the last 15 minutes of the show. I was impressed by her one answer regarding "What do organizations get when they get Beverly Sills?". She seems like the kind of lady who could squeeze blood from a turnip - being Beverly Sills was her greatest asset. I don't know if we have those kind of icons in classical music today - definately a bygone era.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2007-07-06 04:46
1978...1983, such bad memories of things long ago.
I remember Beverly helping live music in NYC and elsewhere, on many occasions. I remember speaking with her in her office at the NY State Theater at Lincoln Center, and having her tell me how much she enjoyed the orchestra's playing the night before. I remember her anger at our Union, and her relief when we all went back to work. I do remember the "bad" Beverly, but I now want to remember more of her good deeds.
Beverly didn't need us nearly as much as we all needed her. Her fund raising efforts and countless hours of work to bring live music into our lives cannot be thanked enough.
1978 and 1983 were long gone, I wish to remember "Bubbles" in the brighter light of this 21st. Century. I'm glad she lived to see this new generation of singers and instrumentalists...I think of her smile...and I'm happy to have known her.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: DougR
Date: 2007-07-06 16:55
I appreciate this thread very much, because I knew very little about Ms Sills until I saw the Charlie Rose show after her death (it should be available for viewing on his website, by the way). I appreciate John's comments as well, since it was obvious from watching the Rose interview segments that she would have been a tough, formidable adversary in her role as "Management"!
Do go & catch the Rose interview while it's still up on the site. Also, PBS is planning a "great performances" (might be just a rebroadcast, for all I know) of Ms Sills' performances (don't have the details, but check local listings etc.).
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