Our newest show opens tonight. I am singing in many numbers, including That's Amore!, La ci darem la mano (duet from Don Giovanni), Libiamo from La Traviata as Violetta, Quando m'en vo (otherwise known as Musetta's Waltz) from La boheme, Noi siamo zingarelle (the Gypsy chorus from La Traviata), Italian Street Song as a duet, and the Finale (which combines Torna a Surriento/Arrivederci Roma/and Addio from L'Elisir d'Amore. I've been busting my butt all week to memorize everything, something that grows more difficult with age. We should have a nice crowd and it will be a fun and high-energy evening. I 've sung the Don Giovanni duet dozens of times; did the Violetta in English, so just need to remember the Italian; I'm a little worried about the Gypsy chorus - lots of words; but I am premiering (for me) the Musetta, and I want it to be wonderful.
Wish me luck or pray for me. In the opera world you say, "In boca al lupo", which means "into the mouth of the wolf." I respond with "Crepi il lupo", which means "to hell with the wolf!"
Sorry for being so S L O W! Went to Cardio Rehab this morning and the took the Captain out for new shoes.
What is your favorite word?
- Almost anything in French or Italian, I love how they feel in my mouth and the beauty of the spoken vowels.
- Also, "sweetheart" when the Captain says it.
What is your least favorite word?
What turns you on (creatively, spiritually or emotionally)?
- A book like Ahab's Wife, with exquisite prose and an interesting story line.
- A brand new needlepoint canvas.
- Walking in the woods near my son's house in Chester, NY.
- My gorgeous purple iris, or lilies of the valley.
- Singing a song I love.
- My kitties doing anything cute or loveable.
What turns you off?
- Generalizations, especially about people's behavior or personality traits.
What is your favorite curse word?
- I blush to admit this secret sin - it's the Anglo-Saxon word for copulation that practically every character in the Sopranos uses at least once a night. Often called the F word.
What sound or noise do you love?
- My kitties talking or purring.
- Certain pieces of music, like Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, or the 2nd movement of Schubert's 956 quintet.
What sound or noise do you hate?
- People talking in a movie or live performance.
What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
What profession would you not like to attempt?
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
- "Well done, good and faithful servant." Can't think of anything better than that one, Mama!
Nearly 5 years ago, I suffered a stroke that left me with numbness and lack of coordination of my right hand and arm. For awhile, I could not speak normally, and I couldn't say my husband's name. With time and occupational and massage therapy, sensation began to return. My speech cleared up within the month. I relearned how to brush my teeth and hair, how to butter toast, how to handle a fork. I used a speech program on the computer for several months, because my right hand could not type. I am very grateful for the lessons I learned from this experience. After 5 years, a person is considered to be at no increased risk of having another CVA (cerebrovascular accident). That's my upcoming milestone!
