July 06, 2007
Soprano Beverly Sills Passes Away at 78
American soprano Beverly Sills brought opera down to earth for Americans of the TV generation, worked for children's charities, and, a native New Yorker, directed the New York City opera and chaired the Metropolitan Opera and Linclon Center. She made her singing debut in a laundry soap commercial at the age of 8. She was the devoted mother of two disabled children and the spiritual mother of a whole generation of American singers.
VIDEO: Even non-opera-fans will remember her brilliant appearances on the Muppet Show and The Carol Burnett Show. She wasn't afraid to laught at herself a bit, and give us some great music in the process. We'll miss you, Bubbles!
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. A grand lady.
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She was an amazing voice, a true artist, and will be missed. Her recording of Tales of Hoffmann was one of the first opera recordings I heard, and helped make me into the opera fiend I am today. (It's a sad week for opera: Regine Crespin has also died. Sigh)
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I don't think I can find the version of this that I wanted (from Ed Sullivan in the 60s, but if this is it, forgive me, I saw it once about fifteen years ago). "O luce di quest'anima". I remember the Sullivan performance as being in B&W, but I might be thinking of the original cast clip from Camelot that was on the same VHS - which is definitely in B&W and has no Beverly Sills.
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It takes a talented singer to not be overshadowed by that freaky hallucination of a set. ;-)
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Two grand ladies .
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Not a great month for opera stars, is it?
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Joan Sutherland books eight-week engagement. Poor woman. They told her to break a leg... Must have been a beautiful scream, though.
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I heard the bones snapped like Melba toast.