handelmania's Podcast

Great cast!! (well,almost!)  

Milanov,Baebieri,Siepi,Warren. They had

to Baum, but that's life!!!!! DelMonaco

did other shows, but this is what did

occur at times.

Norman Treigle left us too soon, but his accomplishments were legendary. I saw him in almost everything he did at City Opera...Unforgettable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First time we heard them live. Corelli holds the all'armi forever and the ovation for her after the "D'amor" went on and on and on.

Not always an easy voice to take..but a MONUMENTAL MAN!!!!  My friend became close with this great icon..In person the voice must have ben a sensation....a bit "white" in color...but nevertheless a great man.

He told my friend, "Del Monaco sings like a truck driver but McCracken is the TRUCK!!!!

  For next season,Susi Sommers replaces Peretyatko. Audience must wear earplugs.

Even Larry Brownlee does not have a high T over L.

When dumb Met audiences laugh at some titles during act one Tosca (You know "Make her eyes black") I get mad.In Chicago once, Eva Marton was furious at the "Give her black eyes" title.

Well, I am a big crab. I feel like Jon Vickers in a Dallas Tristan (Dristan??) where he told the audience to "shut up."

   Hey, I am putting lots of stuff here..and even some old podcasts, which I am sure you forgot about!!!!!

Sad how intolerance kept Afro-Americans out of the Met until Marian Anderson in Ballo 1955.I was there!

I spoke to Camilla Williams, a friend of Virginia Zeani,shortly before she passed away. She was my first Butterfly at City Opera. A great voice and a lovely lady!

I saw 5 of them in 1954!!!!!! Trouble with top notes but she did lose the C in the 50's....However for me the greatest singer in my life..saw her 88 times...well 88 and a half,as she fainted during a Verdi Requiem.

  She sounded so bad that night the "faint" might have been faked!

The tenor was Gino Penno..loudest top I ever heard, but did not last long. Blanche Thebom was Adalgisa and Cesare Siepi was Oroveso.

IN MIA MAN in last act is an example of her greatness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Caterina Mancini and Rolando Panerai in duet from La Battaglia di Legnano.She thrilled me since age 17 on Cetra recordings..I have a letter from her.

    My dear buddy Diana Soviero in Romeo et Juliette.  The GREATEST