Share Your Thoughts About Beverly Sills
Posted by admin on 7/03/2007
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
July 3rd, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I know of know other opera performer who worked harder at exposing the general public to opera. One of her greatest performances, in my opinion, was never released commercially. She was on “The Mike Douglas Show” as co-host, and sang Gershwin’s “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess” with just a piano accompaniment. It was the most beautiful performance of the song I have ever heard.
I also loved a special she did with Danny Kaye called “A Look-In at the Met.” At one point, she and Danny engaged in a mock-operatic conversation, ending with both of them singing a popular cat food jingle.
The banner has been dropped. Hopefully, someone like Renee Fleming or Ruth Ann Swenson will come along and pick it up. They will, however, have to go some to top Ms. Sills tap-dancing on “The Muppet Show.”
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I just want to say that it’s sad to live through the death of a legend. She quickly became one of my top favorite performers, and although I never met her nor saw her perform, she truly changed the way I listen to opera.
My first memory of her is the famous Muppet Show appearance where she’s singing
“Sempre Libera” from Traviata and is constantly interupted by Miss Piggy and her fellow pigs.
The face she made after each interuption was hysterical! Then she went toe to toe with Miss Piggy,
battling with their “Hotojoho!!! Hotojoho!!!” Hilarious stuff.
After growing up a bit and getting into opera about 2 years ago, she was one of the first artists that I heard sing
“Una Voce poco Fa” from Barbiere, and I remember thinking
“It’s like there’s fireworks in her voice!” and from then on, I was a Beverly Sills devotee.
Godspeed, Beverly.
-Julio in Chicago
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I was saddened to learn that this great singer and lovely lady passed away. My sympathy to her daughter, and rest of her family and close friends.
I have never heard Beverly sing on the stage because when I started having a subscription she was not singing but I had great admiration for her for promoting opera.
Every now and than a great person is born and gives so much to others. Which is so much to admire since there were so many like Hitler and Stalin who only took away from others. May God bless her and have her rest in peace. I am sure she is smiling down from Heaven now and all her sadness is gone. The sun was out today. I told an opera lover friend that it was bright as Ms. Sills smile.
Thank you,
Iren Kokai
Old Saybrook, CT
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Haiku Homage
Music’s Majesty
Super, Sensational Sills
Beloved Bubbles.
(R.Y.Davis)
July 3rd, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Back in the 1980’s I remembered Beverly Sills made a special appearance at the New York City Opera in a production of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and as soon as she appeared, the audience and the production seem to take on a “New Look”. Beverly was outstanding and I will never forget the joy in my mother’s face when she saw Beverly Sills perform for the first time. It was a truly unforgettable event. My prayers go out to her family and friends!
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:29 pm
We learned the notice of the passing of Beverly Sills in this morning, here in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She was such a great singer and we will always treasure her recordings and Broadcasts. We heard today her incomparable recording of Donizetti´s “Roberto Devereux”. May she rest in peace
July 3rd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
While driving my Taxi here in San Francisco on July 3 in the morning I heard the news about Miss Sills passing. I had to pull over and cry for 10 minutes or so. All I could start remembering was “the wonderfully tall red-haired lady” who introduced me to Opera in Cincinnati OH in the 60’s. Meeting her after the opera and several more in the following years have all been amazingly wonderful memories especially when SHE remembered ME after a May Festival concert in Cincinnati a few years after we had met. Her words were “Little Bernie you’ve grown!” Well little Bernie kept growing with the joy of hearing Miss Sills pure voice since then. Thank you.
All I can think about today is that God must be smiling with his prize Soprano and “wonderful tall red-haired lady” back in heaven.
All my love and prayers to her worldwide family.
Bernie Wehman/San Francisco CA
July 4th, 2007 at 4:03 am
Beverly Sills is the stuff of movies. Born in Brooklyn, a star at the Met for many years, a world leader in opera management, and finally the one who brought joy to all of us in smaller centres (I live in Kingston Ontario Canada) as host and interviewer on the Met’s 2006/2007 HDTV broadcasts.
We should dedicate next year’s HDTV broadcasts to Beverly Sills, and have a five minute film clip with each 2007/2008 broadcast that keeps our memories of her fresh.
I adored Ms Sills, and will miss her. Let her music and joy live on!
Chris Cannon
Kingston Ontario
July 4th, 2007 at 5:14 am
The performances that made me love opera were Ms. Sills’s Donizetti roles. I owe her a great debt of thanks. I wish that more of America understood what it has lost in her.
-Jonathan K. Cohen
July 4th, 2007 at 5:19 am
Al leer esta mañana la portada del suplemento de espectáculos del diario La Nación, de Buenos Aires, sufrí una conmoción. La voz vibrante y expresiva y los agudos angelicales de Beverly Sills son parte de mi existencia. Una enorme tristeza nos invade a los amantes del arte lírico. Expreso mis más sentidas condolencias a los familiares y amigos de la Sra. Sills.
Fabián Campagne, Buenos Aires, Argentina
July 4th, 2007 at 7:22 am
I was so sorry to hear about Beverly Sills. What a wonderful person she was. She gave so much as a performer and as a person. I will never forget the magic she created in the “St. Suplice” scene in “Manon”
I can’t listen to that opera without thinking of her or her Queen Elizabeth or Lucia. Part of me is very sad about the loss of her but another part realizes what a full and wonderful rich life she had if anyone “lived” and did what they wanted she did. And we all have those wonderful memories of her. I send my thoughts out to her family. She will be missed and there will never be another singer like her. George Vallo NYC
July 4th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Beverly, thank you for bringing so much beauty and joy to our lives. You will be greatly missed.
Claudia Sonnet, Doral, FL
July 4th, 2007 at 9:49 am
The music in Heaven is even more beautiful now that Mrs. Sills is there.
July 4th, 2007 at 9:51 am
I am deeply saddened by the news of Beverly Sills death. My heart felt condolences to her family and worldwide fans and friends.
I was lucky to be present at her Met debut along with my parents, who have since passed away and I remember the joy she brought us all. Thank you, Bev! You will be missed.
July 4th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Incredulous, shocked and immensely sad I am at the news. Most profound condolences to family and friends.I treasure in my memory Sills first Norma in Boston, special because it was her first, young fan club members by the dozens handed out buttons “Beverly Sills is a great high”, and the production included Wagner’s addition for Oroveso. But I vividly remember, when Beverly Woolff had a very brief falter in the big duet and uncouth audience members booed, Sills wrapped her arm around the mezzo and gave her a big corragio hug. Other memories of Thais, Anna Bolena and Louise reinforced her great presence on stage as a superb singer, actress and human being. Thanks Beverly and God bless.
July 4th, 2007 at 10:27 am
There’s a lump in my throat, but joy in my heart. My husband and I were so fortunate to live in a suburb of NYC, and we did not miss one performance of “Giulio Cesare” over the years. I still hold my breath when I listen to a recording of the opera and hear the magical voice of Beverly Sills. She will be missed not only for her glorious voice and acting ability, but also for her ability to reach out and touch with love and warmth.
Beverly, we will miss you, and look forward to any and all rebroadcasts of her appearances. Our condolences to her family and friends.
Joy and Philip Yelin
July 4th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I had the good fortune to have first heard Beverly at one of her legendary performances of Handel’s Guilio Cesare. Later, her performances of the Donizetti Trilogy: Anna Bolena, Roberto Devereux, and Maria Stuarda and her MET debut as Pamira in Rossini’s L’Assidio di Corinto confirmed for me that she was truly among the greatest operatic artists of all time. Her performances in these roles (together with several others) were incredible, but for me, the epitome of her artistry was her portrayal of Baby Doe in Douglas Moore’s Ballad of Baby Doe - a role she created. Memories of her performances in that role are rooted forever in my mind and heart for their beauty and emotional power. Indeed, while writing down these reminiscences, I am listening to her recording of Baby Doe - vividly recalling the night I first heard the role, and her singing it. I will never forget it. Such memories make opera the unique, uplifting and transcendent experience that it is.
Beverly Sills administrative and fundraising contributions to the MET, New York City Opera, Lincoln Center, opera and the arts overall were many and rightly acclaimed for good reason, not the least of which is having introduced and expanded the joy of opera and the arts to so many. But above all her accomplishments stand the memories and recordings of her performances. They will be there forever, confirming for posterity the magnitude of her artistry and her place in the operatic firmament.
July 4th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Aprendí a amar la voz de Sills desde pequeño, cuando vino a Mexico y transmitieron una función de Los Cuentos de Hoffman por televisión. Mi padre, gran amante de la ópera, aplaudía como si estuviéramos en el Palacio de Bellas Artes. La Sills irradiaba luz y alegría. Espero que mi padre pueda aplaudirle ahora en donde ambos estén. Aqui en la tierra, honraremos su memoria mientras exista el arte del canto.
Luis
Mexico
July 4th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Esta mañana, al leer la noticia de la muerte de Beverly Sills el mundo se detuvo. Mi mundo. Cuando la escuché en Giulio Cesare de Haendel, en el Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires, comprendí que muy pocas sopranos tenían “oro en la garganta”. Las ovaciones estruendosas que recibió en cada una de sus funciones deben haberla llenado de orgullo. Su partida me dejó la sensación de haber perdido a uno de mis seres mas queridos. Pero mi agradecimiento por los momentos sublimes que me transmitió por medio de su esplendoroso canto y presencia escénica me ayudadarán, y a todos los que tuvimos el privilegio de escucharla, a sobrellevar su irreparable pérdida. Mis condolencias a su familia y amigos de todo el mundo.
Jorge Daude
Buenos Aires, Argentina
July 4th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
You will forever be missed in the opera world as an avid proponent and advocate. We all salute your life long effort and dedication. Your voice and spirit live on !
July 4th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Hola a Todos,
Ahora mismo al leer la noticia que murio una de las grandes cantantes de este siglo me quede en estado de shock. Verdaderamente esta gran dama era mas que una gran artista..era un gran ser humano.Yo como cantante lo unico que le pido a dios es que me de la fuerza de llevar a cabo mi vocacion como cantante igual que lo ejecuto esta gran señora que con su esfuerzo y perseverancia pudo lograr todo lo que quizo en su vida. Tu talento y tu dedicaccion no quedaran en vano Beverly…viviran en la proxima generacion y para siempre. Que Dios te Bendiga Beverly….Descansa en Paz.
Adriana Ruiz
San Juan, Puerto Rico
July 4th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
It’s difficult to write, because of the tears in my eyes. Ms. Sills will be missed more than words can say. My Mother introduced me to Opera at a young age, but my brother introduced me to Beverly Sills. I will never forget her. My prayers go out to her family and friends. We love you Beverly!
Kimberly Chmil
July 4th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
“Bubbles” Is there truly a better way to describe Beverly Sills? As great an opera star that she was, she was even a greater star for the arts. She did more to “humanize” opera than anyone. The passion and commitment she brought to this often misunderstood artform is beyond measure. Bubbles, you will be turly missed by everyone.
I hope the MET will do a special (PBS?) in memory of this Great Lady.
Rosie Zimmerman, Tucson, AZ
July 5th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Beverly Sills taught me so much about opera and made it understandable and wonderful. My dad, who passed away 2 years ago was a huge fan of hers and made me one as well. My heart goes out to her family especially her son and daughter, who have already had many challenges in their lives.
She will be greatly missed.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Beverly Sills was the reason I loved opera. I must have been three or four years old when La Traviata was televised. Even at that young age I was captivated by her personality and beautiful voice to such an extent that my parents allowed me to stay up past my bedtime so that I could see the entire performance. I never forgot it, and I cherished the memory of the one live performance I was able to attend as a little girl. Beverly Sills was able to teach a child barely out of diapers to love opera, and I have carried that lesson with my throughout my life, passing it on to my children. I am so grateful that the world had Beverly Sills in it, and I am deeply saddened that we have now lost her. I may be approaching middle age, but I still want to be her when I grow up.
July 5th, 2007 at 9:51 am
a big heart, hard work, brains, the long view….. these were the keys to her extraordinary artistry, and also to her long post-singing career, and they explain why so many of us looked up to her, and found strength and inspiration in her story. I know I am not the only admirer with tears in my eyes today.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:13 am
I am a singer and voice teacher today because of Beverly Sills. I fell in love with her pliant, expressive singing at about age 14 and quickly grew to love opera itself.
I actually have a big poster of her in my studio, smiling that radiant, joyous smile. She is so central to my idea of what an artist is: anytime I sing a phrase that might be graceful, beautiful and expressive, she is there in that music. What an incredible thing, to be able to reach us all so deeply and wind herself into our hearts and minds through her music and her shining humanity, when many of us here did not know her.
July 5th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Beverly Sills was the first opera singer I had ever heard. I remember watching her on the Muppet Show and loving the lady with the beautiful voice and effervescent smile. My mother and I have always shared the common bond over our love for Beverly and her artistry. Her loss is a great one, not only to the world of opera, but to the world in general. Beverly Sills will be truly missed.
-Rebecca Greenstein, NYC
July 5th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Although I loved her voice and stage presence, I also treasure La Sills’s droll sense of humor on a personal level. I first encountered her when I was a college student at the University of Texas. As a theater major I was able to watch Sills and Treigle backstage from the wings when they performed in a touring production of “Les contes d’Hoffman”. This must’ve been around 1967, not long after Sills had her huge success in “Giulio Cesare”. Anyway, as Beverly swept offstage for her first exit in the prologue of Hoffman, she plopped the big feather boa she was wearing in my arms and said in her best Mae West fashion, “Here, Honey, hold this.” I was starstruck for days afterwards!
Decades later, after a performance at the Met, I was looking at the costume on display that Sills wore for her Met debut in “L’assedio di Corinto”. The plump lady standing next to me sighed, “Who’d'a thought I was ever that skinny!” And there she was, with a wistful grin on her face.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
It’s taken me a couple of days to “absorb” the great loss of Beverly Sills. I first heard her when I was a senior in High School at Carnegie Hall in 1969 when she performed in the original version of ARIADNE AUF NAXOS with the Boston Symphony. We all gave her an enormous standing ovation. I also particularly remember her vivid portrayal of the 4 leading ladies in TALES OF HOFFMANN at NYCO in the early 1970’s. I also have fond memories of seeing her sit with her Mom in her Ring seat during NYCO perfomances when she wasn’t singing. And will “Live from Lincoln Center” and “Live from the Met” be the same without her behind-the-scenes interviews? Today, I’ve listened to her career-making recording of Handel’s JULIUS CAESAR and watched a DVD of her phenomenal perfomance in ARIADNE. Tonight, it’ll be the DVD of her 1970’s Violetta from Wolf Trap–one of the best interpretations all-around. The memories are countless and priceless. They just don’t make ‘em like “Bubbles” any more!
Dr. Bill Thierfelder
Oakdale, Long Island, NY
July 5th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I first heard Beverly Sills sing on a recording a music teacher played in high school. What a voice!!!! She was a lovely woman who always was so encouraging of her colleagues. I know she will be missed. I know she is in the heavenly choir singing her heart out.
Randy Allen, St. Petersburg, FL
July 5th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I cannot imagine a world without Beverly Sills. She has been my favorite singer since I first heard her 30 years ago, and more than that, she was a wonderful human being and spokesperson for the arts. I miss her more than I can say, and I have felt tremendous sadness since I heard that she died. There are no words to express the magnitude of her greatness, or the magnitude of her loss to those of us who love her.
Jim Marshall
San Francisco
July 6th, 2007 at 5:33 am
I still vividly remember her performance as Violetta in “La Traviata” at the Met back in the 70s — particularly her ravishing pianissimo. She held the audience, myself included, in her hands that evening and delivered one of the most moving portrayals I have seen, making the role and the opera her own. Bravissimo and thank you for enriching our lives!
July 6th, 2007 at 6:38 am
I was very young when I first saw Ms. Sills on TV. I remember the Daughter of the Regiment, 3 Queens, as well as concerts with Carol Burnett and tap dancing with the Muppets. She is one of the people responsible for my passion for opera today. The reason I continue to study it and work in it.
Thank you Ms. Sills for the beautiful gift.
RIP
July 6th, 2007 at 9:54 am
As a teenager in the 1970’s, I was the weirdo who liked opera. My friends went to rock and roll shows; I watched opera on PBS. I even saved up and bought tickets to the local, small, midwest city opera company for the 1975 season, during which I cried all the way through every show, even the comedies. I sang my little soprano-wannabe heart out in school and church choirs, feeling transported by the act of making even the humblest of stabs at musicianship. And I told everyone I wanted “to be Beverly Sills when I grew up.”
Well, one of the two came to pass: I *did* grow up. And Beverly Sills never stopped being my music role model (I try to channel her when reaching for the really high notes). She was the ultimate artist/citizen. I have never mourned the death of a public figure more. Brava, Beverly.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
SO far, the best recordings are Sills in Roberto Devereux, Anna Bolena, and Capuletti And Montecchi. her Rendition as Marie in ‘Fille du Regiment’ and Elvira in ‘Puritani’ are espectacular. Such a great artist, bel canto was never that good before.
Gonzalo Tello
operaperu.blogspot.com
July 6th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I was, of course, very much saddened my Ms Sill’s passing. I had heard a few days before that she was very ill with cancer, again. How very sad I find it that one should be visited, again, by this terrible malady.
First, what a Lovely Lady she was. And, of course, what a light silvery voice she had; and how brave she was to tackle Roberto Deveraux, and we all know the result of that decision. She was smart, and a brilliant actress. She knew when, and how, to fight; and, also, she knew when to quit…right at the peak of her career before her voice had seriously declined. We also know her thoughts on that.
The biggest thing I want to say here is that even in the face of crushing sadness at home, with both her children’s illnesses, and then cancer, she kept right on, and unless you knew of these things, you would not guess she had so much sadness on her plate. Then, after retiring from her career, she took on managership of the NYC opera, then Lincoln Center itself, and after that, the Met! This lady was simply incredible, and we all owe her a great debt for her management and direction to these wonderful venues. She still stayed on the Met board, and took care of her husband while he was suffering from Alzheimer’s, and kept on going. Of course, last fall, she finally quit. Again, however, I see that she hung on until her husband’s passing, and then, being ill herself, I guess she simply felt that it was time.
What a strong, beautiful, lovely person Beverly Sills was. I shall always think of her as the Lovely Lady, as I have always felt about her. She was the “Queen of Opera”, for sure, as Time magazine stated in 1970.
Ms Sills, I shall “miss” you greatly, simply knowing you are no longer moving throughout the operatic world, helping, guiding, teaching, etc. However, I pray that you will, at last, have the peaceful rest that your body and mind must have needed for all these years. I am thankful for all the recordings you made, so that we may “visit with you” when we wish to do so. “God Bless You, and may He watch over you, Lovliest of His Angels.”
July 7th, 2007 at 1:40 am
Thank you Beverly Sills for the ineffable joy which your glorious voice brought, both on and off the stage, to millions of opera lovers. We are disconsolate over your passing.
John Percy St. Louis, Missouri
July 7th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I first saw Beverly Sills on my parents’ black and white television; I was 13. The next year I was extremely fortunate to see her perform at the Met in the Barber of Seville. Clutching the card she sent me inviting me backstage if ever I should make it from upstate NY to the city, I stood in a line of about 500 people waiting to see her. When I got to her, I was sobbing, as I had already fallen in love with her, and with opera, and I could not believe that there she was, right in front of me, this woman I idolized so. And of course as someone who wanted to get younger people involved in and interested in opera, she was, naturally, so gracious to this weeping young teenager, so warm, so inviting. I didn’t wash the hand that she held onto the entire time she was talking to me and my mother for a week. And now, some 23 yrs later, I’m weeping again, Beverly.
We will all miss you so dearly, especially me.
What you and your voice have meant to me over the years is simply something I could never begin to articulate. But I can say that my heart is breaking.
July 9th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I was fortunate to be a super in “Lucia” in the mid-70s in Memphis in which the star was Beverly Sills. To be on the stage with her singing was one of the nicest moments in my life. I had previously thought of opera as only for those in high society, but she helped make it for me and millions in America approachable and loved. More importantly, she was always so very nice and down-to-earth with everyone she met — a model of beauty in all senses of the word. Jerry Travis, Alameda, CA
July 10th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
My first operas Sills’s recordings of Violetta, Gilda, and Manon. She was my first step into this great world of the opera and I will never forget her. Brava! She lives forever in all of us and those we love.
May she rest in peace.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Beverly Sills was as good as it gets as a person and a singer. Never dull, always happy, persivering, hard-working and one amazingly talented singer. She was the best person an aspiring singer could ask for as a role model and will continue to be.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:17 am
I want to share a very special story about Beverly Sills. While I was in college I worked part time as an assistant to Bill a man who was confined to a litter due to crippling arthritis. We were attending a concert at the Philadelphia Robin Hood Dell and Bill said that Beverly would probably come out to see him which I found hard to believe but indeed she did come out to see her “good friend in the cot”. Turns out that Bill and Beverly had a long standing friendship which included her arranging for him to come to dress rehearsals at the Academy of Music at which she came and sat with him for an extended chat. She was an extraordinary person and I will always remember her extreme generosity.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Beverly Sills had class. When she restarted her career in the 70’s after taking time off for motherhood, she contracted to sing Violetta in “La Traviata” with the Fort Worth Opera, a few years down the road. Her career took off rapidly, and soon she could pick and choose whichever role she wanted at any of the world’s top houses — but she honored her commitment, sang in Fort Worth anyway, and gave a smashing performance. I was fortunate to hear her several times, and every performance was a revelation.
July 21st, 2007 at 11:54 am
I wrote this for my weekly column in the Sarasota (FL)Observer and would like to share it:
The first thing that impressed me about Beverly Sills was that she didn’t arrive with an entourage. She was the guest host on WQXR’s “Listening Room,” taking over for Robert Sherman when he went on vacation for a couple of weeks. I was playing Ed McMahon to her Johnny Carson and I expected her to sweep in with manager, publicist, assistant and who knows who else in tow.
But Beverly arrived alone, possibly riding the subway or bus to the New York Times building on west 43rd street. She was all smiles, happy to be there and asking for whatever help we could give her.
Then, there was the morning I got to work feeling dumpy, fat and ugly. I’d rushed and arrived in plain face (no make up), with some schemata that made me look like a moose and I was thanking my stars that this was radio and not TV. Then Beverly careened around the corner looking like a flaming-haired angel so I ducked my head thinking, If I don’t see her, she won’t see me. Right! With the brilliance of a trumpet, she blared, “Good morning, June,” and brought me out of my shell.
That’s when I knew I wanted to grow up to be Beverly Sills. She had so much enthusiasm and cheerfulness, she spread it around to others like nectar from a blossom. She beamed through all her personal tragedies, acknowledging that she wasn’t a happy woman but proud of being a cheerful one. You couldn’t be sad or depressed around Beverly. I wanted some of that nectar!
So, the next season, I did a series of one hour programs devoted to “Enthusiasm,” featuring the most animated people I knew: Beverly, Jacques d’Amboise, Norman Vincent Peale, Itzhak Perlman, and a host of others. I set their responses to music so it would fit the classical format of the station. But, I was really out to catch enthusiasm and spread it around to our listeners.
Losing Beverly was like losing a mother, sister and dear friend, rolled into one magnificent being. I remember her singing here in Sarasota and taking the time after her concert to graciously hug me back stage. I remember running into her at the Sarasota airport a few years later and sharing thoughts on weight, which weighed heavily on both of us.
Through the tears and memories, I’ve spoken with many of the people she’d influenced and the great underlying emotion was a deep sadness, whether they were her best friends, colleagues or just knew her from her appearances.
Renate Koblé, a friend from New York who’d been Beverly’s assistant when she was General Manager of the New York City Opera, remembered Beverly’s 55th birthday. “When someone asked her how she was that morning, she told them, ‘I’m 55, fat and fatigued.’” Then she gave that wonderful, irreplaceable laugh of hers.
Another friend who didn’t know Beverly personally but was as torn up as the rest of us, saw the spectacular PBS documentary on TV and, through tears said, “I almost forgot that she could sing.” Think about it. Sills quit her singing career in 1980 at the age of 51, never looked back and proceeded to use all the skills and knowledge she had as a performer in her new roles in the management of the New York City Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center and a variety of charities.
This larger-than-life singer took her ability to put over a role, an aria, a song, and turned it into a penchant for fundraising that turned to gold.
Sir James Galway, in an email from his home in Switzerland, wrote, “I had the pleasure to play on her very first UK recording and was so impressed. I got to know her personally and thought she was not only a great singer but a great lady, too. I am sure she will be badly missed.”
You said it, Jimmy!
Sherrill Milnes, in a phone conversation a couple of days after her death, told me, “Some people are good at one thing, even great at it. Beverly was great at all things. Before the three tenors were making opera more accessible, Beverly was doing it all by herself.”
Does someone who’s touched so many lives and brought joy and inspiration to so many, really die? Her recordings live on. But the real legacy of this Lady is her generosity of spirit and zest for life. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious. The next time you smile, think of her.
(June LeBell)
August 7th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I had not planned on renewing my guild membership this year due to some financial problems. When I read of the death of Beverly Sills I decided that somehow I would find a way to afford this. I had a phone call last week from a young man asking for my continued support. I told him that I would renew my membership and in addition I wanted to make a special contribution to the program fund in memory of Beverly Sills. Though I did not know her personally I have always felt that when she appeared in her role as a spokesperson for the Met she was speaking to me personally. Her personality came right through my television screen and it was like she was sitting across the room talking to me. I will miss our chats.
August 9th, 2007 at 7:11 am
Beverly Sills was to opera as Leonard Bernstein was to classical music. I grew with both of them. I was fortunate to see Beverly Sills opening at the Met. I will never forget that evening. The applause was so great and long, that she had to turn her back to the audience, walk toward the back of the stage and you could see her (with binoculars) sobbing with joy. My wife and I shed a tear or two also. I made it a vow, to see as many performances she was in as possible. In those days, the operas were sold out every night, not just on weekends or Saturday afternoons. Each opera had GREAT performers and the prices were reasonable. But that was in the 1960’s,70’s and early 80’s. Those days seem to be gone forever. But the memories will last forever.
September 15th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Bravissima, Bubbles. I treasure the memory of your superb career, achieved through determination and talent. From one of the many “Beverly wannabees.”
Shalom, May you sing with the angels.
September 16th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
I was an usher for San Francisco Opera back in the 70’s. Minutes before the start of a Sills recital, the head usher, Johnny Galindo, came running up to my post in the balcony to see if I could turn pages for the concert! I ran downstairs and right to her dressing room and then to the stage! It was an unbelievable thrill for a young music student! At the intermission, Miss Sills spent the entire time, with pianist Charles Wadsworth, asking questions about me–who I was, what I was studying, etc. It was amazing to me that someone so important and lovely could be so completely absorbed and focused on a conversation with the page turner! At the end of the program, Sills and Wadsworth headed for the stage to conclude the program with Miss Liebling’s Portuguese folk song that we all know; Mr. Wadsworth said that he didn’t use music for the encore, as they’d performed it so often. They both could tell that I was a little disappointed that our trio was turning into a duo, without me, and I believe Mr. Wadsworth then dug out a copy of the one-page song just so that they could bring the page turner out for the encore!!
What a lovely lady! What memories I cherish of her San Francisco performances! Her Manon was my first opera, and I was hooked. It was wonderful to see her as a co-host for the satelite broadcasts in Ohio.
Donald A. Hurd, Cincinnati, OH