Five remarkable people

I am afraid that a late night and somewhat oversleeping conspired to prevent me writing about the NEA awards evening until now, on my flight from Washington to Chicago on Sunday afternoon.

It was a grand evening, maybe overlong – it over ran its allotted time by 30 minutes.  But we would have been the poorer without Frank Corsaro’s hilarious stand up comic response.  Also Julius Rudel’s moving description of his gratitude to his adopted country “which welcomed me when my own country threw me out”.  Julius emigrated from Vienna in the 1930s.  He is now an American national treasure – no single person has made such a contribution to American opera in the 20^th century.  It was splendid that his old friend Carlisle Floyd presented him last night.

The evening was started off with an introduction from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  She is a passionate music and opera lover – and a wonderful advocate to have at the seat of power.  And she has a light wit to go with her judicial gravitas.  

There were great contributions fro John Adams, Lotfi Mansouri and Marilyn Horne.  Andre Previn gracefully and charmingly introduced Lotfi, and there were too many other delightful moments to list.

It was all warming and gratifying – and some of you may have heard the proceedings live on Chicago’s WFMT.  The program will no doubt be broadcast more widely and may be available on line from your local Public Radio Station.  Well worth seeking out.

So it was an exhausting weekend overall.  I am back in Chicago just for the day tomorrow for our November board meeting.  And then I have to take a 6 am flight on Tuesday morning to make a full day of auditions in NYC.  As I have said before, this is Hell Month!

Comments

[Jordan Friedman]

I used to envy those whose jobs afford them frequent travel opportunities, but partly as a consequence of frequenting your blog, I now think it must be maddening. Aren't you utterly sick of airports and airplanes and packing and unpacking by now? Even with all the benefits and perks afforded by elite-tier status, it must still be a headache. Infrequent travelers sit in their economy seats and wait in their long lines filled with hate for the pampered and seasoned travelers in bulkhead and exit rows and premium cabins and expedited lines, but I know better. Most road warriors are stressed to the point where the perks mean nothing anymore. You have my pity. I'm glad the job is worth the hell you put yourself through, though.

[BD]

well you are quite right of course. Was on a plane ready to go at 5.30 this morning and am now coming to the end of a long day of auditions 12 hours later........what joy!