Hello Opera fans, young and old, whether you love Handel arias, which I do very much, or you prefer Casta Diva. If you love opera, then you are at the right place.
Where to begin...
Hmm...
I am an attorney for God's sake, why can't I think of how I want to express my extreme gratitude to the incomparable DIVA STUPENDA, Dr. Joyce DiDonato. That's right bloggers, Joyce was recently decorated with pink doctoral sash and accompanying kudos and accolades with a Doctor of Musical Arts from Julliard! This is an incredible honor, for a woman who is not only physically beautiful, but has a soul and light about her that, I believe, is unparallelled in the history of Opera. At least for this 50 year old attorney in Phoenix, AZ! Seriously, Joyce is an angel from Prairie Village, KS, and I love me some KS!!! By way of history, as you will know me soon as an opera singer and not an attorney, my ex of almost 7 years was from KS. I knew NOTHING about KS when I met him, and he lived in Washington D.C., another fabulous city! Anyway, he was from Topeka, born and bred, and as sweeet as any good midwestern boy. Suffice to say, we visited Kansas City when we were dating long-distance, something other than our "every 3 week" trek across country, with attendant time changes, of me in D.C. for a few days, or he in Phoenix.
Anyway, I digress, as I do a lot these days, but it's a good digression! So I fell in love with Kansas City, like immediately, never knowing someday I would find Joyce. So, I made Scott (my ex) go with me looking for houses that trip, I liked KS City that much! Now, I learn Joyce is from KS, and her fabulous husband (who is nothing short of breathtakingly handsome) Leonardo Vordoni, is opera director in CO, where I am moving to Denver in January, as well as Omaha, which I love, and the couple has this amazing connection to KS, which I adore.
Anyway, listen to Joyce, often, frequently, anything you can find on YouTube. She is stupendous in Handel arias, like breathtaking, and she has a flawless voice!!! As I only last night realized Joyce was married to Leonardo, who is amazing in his own conducting and directing world in opera, have the pleasure of each other in marriage. Wow, talk about the most amazing couple in opera... well, I need to be a bit careful... Danielle DeNiese is married to son Christie and lives in a palace at Glyndebourne ( or at least that's what I have found), where she "made" the role of Cleopatra come to life, like no one I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong friends, like I said, you can have your opinions, these are strictly my own. I love Natalie Dessay, and she made that role earlier in her career, but Danielle is, again in my opinion, the premier diva singing Cleo! Hands Down!!
Ok, so I have now rambled on, and on, and on... Shout out to the other 3 of my favorite sops of all time, literally, all time, like 50 years of listening to opera. Oh, by the way, I do know something about that which I speak. I have a Bachelors degree in Piano and Vocal Performance from Walla Walla University, back in the day before law school and this "illustrious" career as an attorney for just shy of 22 years! Or as we write it, so stupid twenty-two (22) years. LOL!!!
So, this blog this morning is my gift to myself. I basically worship Joyce, and equally and in different ways, love Danielle, Diana Damrau (best queen of the night playing in any venue, even at the level of Paris, the Met or La Scala, that good! Oh, and I have been to a recital at La Scala, so I know something about that magnificent venue. Shout out also to Dame Joan Sutherland, the goddess who graced the greatest stages in the world for SO many years, flawless Aussie girl. Oh, shout out to Australia too, probably my favorite country outside of U.S. (sorry Europe). Love Sydney, have been to opera there, love Melbourne and the music scene there, want to sing in Australia!
And, last but not to be left off my top 5 divas, Dame Sarah Connelly! OMG, where to begin on this one. She is grace and magnificence abounding, like flowing with grace and beauty. And that 3 1/2 range voice is stupendous! Her Ceasar is the best in the world, but shout out to Andres Scholl, who is right up there and as good, and Christopher Dumaux, the incredible French Counter-Tenor, oh I could go on and on.
Have a great Monday, don't stress, life is too short! If you get stressed today, which 99% of the planet does on Monday, take 5-7 minutes and listen to Joyce sing an aria from Serse or Allessandro, trust me, your stress will melt away in those graceful, flying high, insane runs and trills, soprano voice. Or, just look at her husband pictures, that would make anyone happy, male or female, gay or straight! Enough said, out, Bye, Adios, Auf Vedersein (forgive my German, haven't studied it since College), Au Revoir, uh, Russian, maybe after coffee! Mark, Esq. LOL!!
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