Dear Bernard, I have just read your blog about the passing of our dear friend, David Dichiera... I am emotional for his passing, emotional for YOU having lost your dear friend of so many years, and also for myself, having not known that David had passed away... I loved reading your sentiments about David. He was one of the first people in the business who gave me a chance at a principal role, in a big house. I had JUST turned soprano after being a mezzo for about 7 or 8 years. I did my very first Mimì in 1982 in California (I can't remember the name of the house right this moment, but it no longer exists.) It was in Costa Mesa. I TRULY believe that my career wouldn't have been so vibrant for so long, had David not said something to me that turned my singing around, or, really, made me the performer I had become. After the opening of that production, 3 months later David had the same cast do the same Boheme production in Detroit. However, it was a short time later, in Detroit, that David had hired me to do a Micaëla there. It was THEN, while David was listening in the theatre to my singing Micaela's aria in the opera house, which changed my singing, and as a result, my life. David said I had a beautiful voice, I was a smart singer, a good musician, etc, but he said, (...and I WISH I could have remembered his exact words, but it was something like this): "You don't dig-in to your instrument, and use it as an opera singer sings in an opera house. You sing as though you are in the shower, and not projecting your instrument into the house. You need to rely on squillo and have it 100 percent at all times. He asked me to please use forward placement , and a bunch of other suggestions I wish I can't remember, but I knew EXACTLY what he meant!!!! I began singing as he had asked, and it all came together at once!!! He was so glad that I 'got' what he wanted, and he was genuinely pleased! I do believe if that day had never happened, and the words he spoke to me had never happened, I probably would have never gotten it!!!! I owe so very much to him, as he continued to use me from time to time in both of his houses. I am so sorry for your loss, Bernard. It is so hard to lose someone you love. I know you will always have your memories together of David, and for that I am grateful. May God Rest His Beautiful Soul!!! +++
Dear Bernard, I was so very sorry to hear of David's passing. I am sending you my heartfelt condolences. I know how much he meant to you. I was lucky that, thanks to you, I worked for him that one time,on your Dutchman in 2013. My best wishes to you and Diana, Lori
Dear Bernard, I have just read your blog about the passing of our dear friend, David Dichiera... I am emotional for his passing, emotional for YOU having lost your dear friend of so many years, and also for myself, having not known that David had passed away... I loved reading your sentiments about David. He was one of the first people in the business who gave me a chance at a principal role, in a big house. I had JUST turned soprano after being a mezzo for about 7 or 8 years. I did my very first Mimì in 1982 in California (I can't remember the name of the house right this moment, but it no longer exists.) It was in Costa Mesa. I TRULY believe that my career wouldn't have been so vibrant for so long, had David not said something to me that turned my singing around, or, really, made me the performer I had become. After the opening of that production, 3 months later David had the same cast do the same Boheme production in Detroit. However, it was a short time later, in Detroit, that David had hired me to do a Micaëla there. It was THEN, while David was listening in the theatre to my singing Micaela's aria in the opera house, which changed my singing, and as a result, my life. David said I had a beautiful voice, I was a smart singer, a good musician, etc, but he said, (...and I WISH I could have remembered his exact words, but it was something like this): "You don't dig-in to your instrument, and use it as an opera singer sings in an opera house. You sing as though you are in the shower, and not projecting your instrument into the house. You need to rely on squillo and have it 100 percent at all times. He asked me to please use forward placement , and a bunch of other suggestions I wish I can't remember, but I knew EXACTLY what he meant!!!! I began singing as he had asked, and it all came together at once!!! He was so glad that I 'got' what he wanted, and he was genuinely pleased! I do believe if that day had never happened, and the words he spoke to me had never happened, I probably would have never gotten it!!!! I owe so very much to him, as he continued to use me from time to time in both of his houses. I am so sorry for your loss, Bernard. It is so hard to lose someone you love. I know you will always have your memories together of David, and for that I am grateful. May God Rest His Beautiful Soul!!! +++
ReplyDeleteDear Bernard, I was so very sorry to hear of David's passing. I am sending you my heartfelt condolences. I know how much he meant to you. I was lucky that, thanks to you, I worked for him that one time,on your Dutchman in 2013. My best wishes to you and Diana, Lori
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