This brings back memories! I was at this performance when HGO was still playing out of Jones Hall. It was Beverly's swan song to Houston. Her first performance with HGO had been way back in 1965 as the Queen of the Night -- with 12" nails. In between she came back at least half a dozen times. Caldwell made Donald Gramm take a bubble bath as Pasquale -- and had him stand up in the tub surrounded by a huge cloud of bubbles. Sarah Caldwell was so creative -- and funny!
What can I say kadoguy? I have NEVER heard this before and am in Sills heaven at the moment! What a spectacular performance and it beats the commercial recording hands down no contest whatsoever! Thank you for making my day, month year and decade!!
Great! It brings back wonderful memories of Bubbles at the Boston Opera in the early 1970’s. What a way to be introduced to the glories of opera. Thank you so much.
And unbelievably here we have Beverly 8 months before her retirement, having the time of her life onstage! :) You couldn't have wished for a better introduction to the glories of opera! Beverly was my introduction to opera on her B & D Heroines disc!
Thank you friend! This is just wonderful! The cast and Gramm are wonderful and La Sills is in very good voice! This was taken from the radio broadcast of February 1980 so the sound is wonderful! I MUCH prefer this cast than the MET cast. La Sills gets to sing and have fun with her pals Donald Gramm and Alan Titus and La Caldwell is on her best behavior in the pit! Fun Trivia! Beverly Sills and Donald Gramm had been singing together since 1955! This was the last time they sang together before her retirement!