A Tribute to Beverly Sills to be held September 16

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It is with heavy heart I heard about Ms. Sills. The sorrow at the Met, must make the darkness of the stage seem ever more so painful.

Will you do a tribute for her on the web site? Allow people to share their memories?
–Philice Ann Flint

I wish that this message will reach Beverly Sills’ family. I am deeply saddened by her passing. She brought music and happiness to my family for so many years! She brought me to tears with her performance of Violeta with the San Francisco Opera in 1974, I will never forget that… Good bye Beverly, you were extraordinary!
–Ricardo and Martha Foschi

Sorry to hear about the passing of Beverly Sills.
We will miss her and her beautiful voice.
–Rolando Acosta

Beverly Sills! Please, I have no other place to express my condolences. I don’t know a lot about opera/music, but I loved her and she helped me to love opera. A great lady. Thank you.
–Fern RossiLakewood Colorado

When I opened my paper this morning, I was very much saddened to learn of the passing of one of the great lights in the opera world; Beverly Sills. It is hard to say which impressed me the most; her sparkling personality or the beautiful instrument she played so well; her voice. For more years than I really care to think about, her voice in a number of pieces gave me, and so many others, a great listening experience.

Please accept and extend my sincere condolences to both her professional and her personal families. A great light has gone out of the world.
–Joseph H. Endinger

I sang with the S.D. Opera for about 8 years and unfortunately I did not begin while Beverly Sills was performing here in S.D. But from all I’ve read about her and I did see an opera in L.A. with her performing, I and I’m sure other singers will miss her tremendously. She did so much to preserve the art form of opera and I truly hope despire her death that it will continue long into the future. Thank you.
–Kim

I cannot begin to express my sadness at the passing of Ms Beverly Sills. More informed people than I will undoubtedly have articulated all that I would like to have said. Ms Sills was a joyous diva who brought unending pleasure. My life has been enriched by her presence at the Met and I am ever grateful. I trust Ms Sills’ family and friends find comfort and joy in knowing that countless and unknown people celebrate her life.
–Norman Knowles Canberra, Australia

Thank You..the tribute is wonderful..so wonderful.

I called Michele Krisel at the Washington Opera..crying..asking her if Mr. Domingo was attending the funeral and could he pass on my words. I first saw Ms. Sills in 1993,(2?) when I had skipped music class at Nazareth College, in Rochester, NY to see and hear Mr. Domingo sing The Tales of Hoffman, it was Feb I think. Well, it was my very first opera at the MET, and I wore a bright red suit and shoes to match. I managed to get a seat in a box, number 21, two over from Ms. Sills that night!!! So…I sat there, trying not to stare at everything, but I couldn’t believe I was sitting next to such a fine lady. The opera started, and when they got to the Doll Song, …I just couldn’t resist mouthing the piece, until I saw Ms. Sills look over…with that look. Opps…. I will never forget it…Never….

Thank you…so very much.

She will live on in all of her “children of opera.”
–Philice Ann Flint

I am very sorry for the Metropolitan Opera and our Country upon hearing Beverly Sills passed away. Whenever I heard her sing “Vilia” I thought no one could sing it with better feeling. When she repeats the stanza, there is a slower tempo of each note that expresses a lighter meaning. She stressed the importance of artistry in giving us this message. On our local Radio Station WXEL today, an interview was broadcast of her singing arias. Everything they played was her best, including an aria from “Julius Caesar”. Beverly Sills invited us to hear a “Chrystal Clear Bird”.
–D’ette K. Matthews

Dear Met Opera,
Would you be so kind as to pass on my deepest sympathy to the family of Beverley Sills. Not only a a great presence as a singer, her work for the Met was tireless and will sadly be missed. God Bless.
–Paul Dalton United Kingdom

As a young university performer and eventually professional in the business of opera, Beverly Sills was a mentor to us all as she revealed her very unique talent on stage, recordings and television at a time when there wasn’t the broad public following of opera we have today. A pioneer, an obvious crazed and mischevious soprano sprint who left the world with a giant impact. How great for us all to have known her.

–Carole Blum, Mezzo-soprano