An Observation: La Traviata

The Museum of Michael’s Mind

An Observation: La Traviata

We just have arrived home from a dress rehearsal of the opera which is the opener of the 2007/2008 season at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. “La Traviata.” By Giuseppe Verdi. An opera in three acts with two intermissions. Three hours in total. A war-horse as they are called, part of the seasons over and over again. First performed at Teatro La Fenice, Venice on March 6, 1853, over one hundred and fifty years ago. The music is beautiful. The voices are superb. The acting is believable. The story ... NOT! In fact, the story demonstrates one of my pet peeves. 

An aside: Gregory and I visited Venice in May of 2004. We stayed at a hotel that was just adjacent to what used to be, then was, then used to be, and now is the Teatro La Fenice. Construction of La Fenice began in 1790 and was completed in 1792. It burned to the ground in 1836. La Fenice rose from the ashes (that is what the name means) in 1844. In 1996 it was once again completely destroyed by fire. In March 2001, a court in Venice found two electricians guilty of setting the fire. Enrico Carella and his cousin, Massimiliano Marchetti, appeared to have set the building ablaze because their company was facing heavy fines over delays in repair work. Carella, the company's owner, was sent to prison for seven years, while Marchetti received a six-year sentence. It took, in the manner Italian, from 1996 until November 2004 to rebuild the opera house and the first production in the new opera house was La Traviata. How fitting.

A second aside: One morning as Gregory and I were preparing for our day’s outing in Venice, we heard a beautiful tenor’s voice drifting through our window which opened on the construction site of the most current La Fenice. The site consisted of a hole in the ground, a tall crane erected in the center of the hole, and a steel frame that would become the perimeter of the building. Wondering where the music was coming from, we peered out of our window and saw a lone construction worker, with hard hat and overalls, climbing the crane and singing. He was singing an aria from La Bohem. Was a “goose-bump” moment. Construction site, construction worker, crane, opera aria, La Fenice. Can you tell it is an experience neither of us will ever forget?

Back to the story. “La Traviata” that is. It is a story about Violetta, a courtesan (a prostitute with wealthy upper-class clients circa 17th century France) who falls in love with Alfredo and in Act One, gives up her old loose way of life to love only him.

In Act Two, Alfredo’s father persuades Violetta to give up his son for Alfredo’s own sake, his sister’s and family’s sake, and to please God. Violetta decides to leave for Paris but first writes a letter to Alfredo, packs, and leaves. Alfred arrives home, his father returns, a messenger shows up with the letter from Violetta (whom the messenger happened to meet on the road,) and Alfredo declares he will get his revenge on Violetta for leading him on and then deserting him. P.S. Violetta is dying of consumption.

In Act III, Alfredo returns to forgive Violetta and ask her forgiveness, Alfredo’s father asks her forgiveness as well, the doctor arrives, Violetta is feeling much better and stronger, and asks forgiveness from both Alfredo and his father. A moment or two later she falls over dead. At least she died happily.

Back to 1) The music was beautiful. 2) The voices superb. 3) The acting believable. 4) The story ... NOT. Here is the peeve, at least from my point of view: Why waste all that time when life passes too quickly as it is, why miss opportunities and why reap all that sadness when you could have spent your time more happily from the beginning. Why not follow your heart in love and don’t worry about what your parents or what God might say. Have you been dishonest? Have you harmed anyone? Have you been true to yourself? These should be your tests. If your answer is NO, NO, and YES ... you pass. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if it was that easy to live your life? If Violetta and Alfred had done that from the beginning, the opera would not have gone on for three hours. But maybe a brief encounter of honesty and love is worth more than any three hour period of time? Maybe the opera was closer to real-life than I imagined!

Catch Up (While not allowed on Chicago Vienna Dogs ... is Allowed on New York Sabrette's Dogs

Thirteen (13) days since my last post. When Gregory was still alive, especially towards the end of his journey with Dementia (most likely Alzheimer's,) I would write every day on the Alzheimer's BLOG and sometimes several times. I guess the urgency of communicating with someone, anyone; the need to process and document kept me motivated to write.

Now, almost three years after his death (I use the word death rather than "passing" because it makes it more real to me,) my life has settled into a calmer, somewhat simpler, more compassionate, more generous, and mindful way of living.

For the most part, I only do what I want to do rather than what I have to do. I have very few in any concerns, fears, or for that matter unrealistic expectations (at least based on my opinion of what expectations might be :-)

I have plenty of time to work on my numerous projects including constantly refining the condo. I have come to think of "Refining the Condo" as an art form. Make it efficient yet beautiful, make it simple yet complex, display as many of my collections as possible while still having people say, "Your place is so peaceful."

I am working in earnest on the "book" for my in-progress musical called "ALZHEIMER'S: A Musical Love Story." It is a painful process but after several months of writer's block, I now add to it every day. I really believe that the world is ready for a musical like this.

It has three threads woven together in a few hours of entertainment that hopefully, people will actually pay to see, as well as be moved, and experience, and learn! Thread One: A beautiful love story. Thread Two: Living well with Alzheimer's. Thread three: Gay Liberation (since Gregory and I, in our 41 years together, experienced all of the contemporary milestones (and millstones) in the LGBTQ+ community which brought us to this point in history.

I also have an opera, "ALZHEIMER'S: The Opera," up my sleeve. I continue to work on my memoirs, trying to reduce the number of hardback pages from 1,000 to a more reasonable number of pages which someone might actually want to buy and read! There is currently nothing on the market dealing with Alzheimer's and the LGBTQ community.

I have been and will continue to make presentations to the public which tell Gregory and my story of living well with Dementia. It always seems to be engaging to my audiences and well received. Q and A's after the presentations are spontaneous and keep me on my toes, hopefully helping those who ask the questions.

Here is a list of past presentations, future presentations, and ones in the work.

DONE

1. University of Chicago Middle School Students, the Lieberman Center for Health and Rehabilitation, 
2. United Methodist Church of LaGrange Illinois
3. Sherman Plaza Book and Social Club
4. NorthShore University Health Care System Division of Palliative Care and Hospice
5. Dementia Alliance International out of Australia
6. Pritzker School of Medicine - Medical Students Interest Group
7. Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Business
8. Great Lakes Alzheimer’s Association
9. Battle Creek Congregational Church. 
10. Pride Film & Plays “An Evening with Michael and his Alzheimer’s Love Story”
11. Pritzker School of Medicine II - Medical Students Interest Group
12. 33rd Annual Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference - Chicago
13. Proud Seniors Greece - May 2018 - Athens
14. Teepa Snow Online Newsletter July 2018

FUTURE

1. Evanston Art Center - June 2019
2. Center on Halsted - Senior Voice Group - Sept 6, 2018
3. Lori La Bay - “Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio.” - Sept 11 - Live, Sept 13 Re-broadcast
4. Keynote speaker and break out session leader for MAYO Clinic and MN-MD Conference - March 2, 2019 - Minneapolis, MN

POSSIBLE

1. Evanston Unitarian Church 
2. Article in Anthology
3. JT and his documentary on Alzheimer’s
4. KAREFIRST
5. Intentional Caregiving Inc
6. DePaul University
7. Northwestern University's Buddy Program for Dementia
8. Rush Presbyterian St Luke

My recent trip to NYC after many many years was a "trip." I got to spend a wonderful lunch with a friend from college whom I have not seen nor talked to in some 30-35 years. We still had a lot in common and many wonderful memories. We also had some not so wonderful memories as we remembered all the friends we lost to HIV/AIDS during the heat of the epidemic of what was called "The Gay Disease!"

Really enjoyed the musicals "Dear Evan Hanson" and "The Band Visits." Enjoyed the legitimate theater "Boys in the Band" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." 

Enjoyed a slice of "New York Pizza" (flat crust) and a hot dog (definitely not Vienna Kosher) from a street vendor. Visited the new Whitney Museum of American Art and the elevated, deserted elevated railroad now changed into a wonderful elevated park that traverses several miles of Manhattan.

Especially enjoyed, and this was the reason for my going to NYC in the first place: the 35th-anniversary reunion concert of "Pump Boys and Dinettes Concert" at Feinstein's Under 54 Supper Club. 

John, Gregory's college roommate and best friend, was one of the composers and stared on Broadway 35 years ago in "Pump Boys and Dinettes." It is a wonderful "feel good" musical that deals with living in a small town, life, love, and Highway 57. Four men play piano, guitar, bass, and electric guitar while they pump gas and repair cars;  two women keep them in tow and serve pie at the attached dinette.

Here is a video from 35 years ago when the show had been nominated for a Tony:

And here is a video from the reunion concert in which I tip the waitresses the same way Gregory and I did some 35 years earlier when we saw the production on New York:

It was wonderful visiting with John whose family became OUR friends as John married Moreen and had three children: Gabe, Grace, and Amelia. It was also good visiting with Grace, now full-grown and in college, who came to NYC from Los Angeles with her dad.

Gabe, by the way, was one of the people who made the documentary ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story possible. The documentary was part of his coursework at Chapman University, Dodge School of Media Arts, in Orange, California. It went on to be accepted to over 90 film festivals worldwide and won over 35 awards including two from the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival!

My cats, Emma and Gigi, continue to give me great love, affection, and joy as well as cat hair and dirty liter boxes. They both just turned 4 years old.

Emma

Gigi

What a lot about me but since it is my BLOG I can do what I want to! Hahaha, I guess you can understand why while I have been writing, it has been project-based and not necessarily showing up on this BLOG.

Here is a link to a recent article which was published in "Positive Care in Dementia Online Newsletter." which has a subscription of 20,000 readers. Will be interesting to see if there is any response to the article. Click here to go to "ALZHEIMER'S: A Love Story" (Opens in a new window.)

When Stories Begin To Write Themselves at 12:18 AM

This story was motivated by my beginning the reading of Krista Tippit's: Becoming wise: An inquiry into the mystery and art of living, which was a birthday gift from friends Jan and Jerome. (I believe that Tippit's writing is a little more profound than mine but I enjoyed the adventure!)

• • • • •

Even in the bathroom the stories of life unfold and are explained in ways that do not reveal themselves unless looked for or at times asked about.

In that dungeon or that palace, called the bathroom, where we participate in the most basic of bodily functions as well as in fixing the beauty with which we would like to perceive of self, the magical stories of our life can flourish.

We cleanse, purify, and beautify but we also eliminate, pass gas, belch, and at times with illness vomit our insides out.

A look in the mirror can reply, "How beautiful," or "How old and ugly!" We look in the mirror and shift our glaze slightly left, then slightly right until we fix just the image of ourself we want to hold, then leave the mirror behind and carry that image with us, for better or worse,  throughout the day. And this is only one of our stories. But if you look more deeply, even in the bathroom things of your life can tell their stories.

What does the oversized digital clock on the wall over the sink tell me besides the time? Is it reminding me that all things pass, that all things change, and that one day I too will be gone as is my beloved Gregory? Some would say it's just a way of being on time, not keeping someone waiting, not missing an appointment. But that tells a story as well in a different way, doesn't it? 

The $200 Simply Human Magnifying Mirror hanging on the wall next to the large mirror allows me to visit, with accuracy, the pores of my face and attend to them as necessary. It also allows the errant eyelash to be found and washed to safety. Are these activities of vanity or necessity or both. $200? Sounds like an expensive venture, but hell at 72 years of age at least I can see what I'm looking for!

Over the toilet on the wall is yet more of my Asian collection, the majority of which is now at Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures, now a permanent exhibit at Chicago children's museum since 2011.

There are three beautiful framed collages done by an older woman named Jo Nelson. Joe and her husband Bill bring her artwork to Evanston each year to show at the art fair which takes place just outside the front door of my condo.

Her pieces are gorgeous, well constructed of many small things, many of which are not only beautiful but also precious: for example the Mud Jade Buddha that is delicately mounted sitting on a wooden platform which is sawed in half and glued to the center of one of the pieces.

When discussing her art, Jo admits she has never been to China or Japan and has no interest in the people, the country, or the history. She just has been attracted to Asian items since she was a little girl and has amassed a vast trove of wonderful pieces which she enjoys weaving into visual feasts.

Surrounding Jo's artwork, neatly spaced to the left and the right are six smaller black shelves, each holding a multi colored ceramic temple or pagota with tiny ceramic mud people artistically placed sitting next to each one. On two longer black shelves, above and below Jo's pieces, are displayed Foo Dogs, Chinese dragons, an iron incense pot, several Asian sculptures, and a Japanese triptych folding screen with a hand painted scene on silk.

I'm not sure of the story that these items tell, short of their being miniatures. Perhaps it's the beauty and spirituality which is so artistically expressed by the Asian peoples. Perhaps it relates to the Buddhist nature that helps define these cultures and most recently has become part of my life as well. 

Hanging, twirling from the HVAC vent running across the back of the bathroom are two mobile units, purchased at the Chicago Museum of Modern Art, each holding12 postcards. Each post card artistically pictures a male nude, some current day photographs and some from vintage times. The men are beautiful or handsome or ruggedly ugly. Their bodies definitely buff. While they are not behaving sexually they certainly suggest sexuality. I'll let you revisit the story that you most likely know they tell about my life :-)

There are three framed large posters in the tub alcove dealing in order with Joseph Cornell, John Lennon, and Madama Butterfly.

The Joseph Cornell poster is from a show of his work, 1903–1972, which took place at the Menil collection in 1997. The Menil Museum is in Houston where Gregory and I visited on a Texas junket to my family who live in Fort Worth. Joseph Cornell's work, done by this non-artist in his garage workshop in the house where he lived with his mother, creates from found and created scraps, environments that at once are surreal and non-existent as well as familiar. I tried my hand at creating some Cornell type boxes but gave up when I realized that I did not have a garage in which to collect the multitude of bits and pieces that on a moment's notice call would be available to create my masterpieces as they unfolded themselves.

We did not get to see the Cornell show but did visit an installation called, "Witness" which provided a huge display of objects selected from the studios and workshops of famous Surrealist artists which they used as inspirations for their work. In the corner of this exhibit, on a well lit wooden platform, was a glass topped coffee table, the inside of which was reachable through a drawer at the bottom of the table, that belonged to Mrs. Menil in which she dumped hundreds of wonderful objects; new and old, precious and common and which she allowed her grandchildren to use to explore, discover, create, tell stories, and more. It was the motivation and prototype for one of the collections at Michael's Museum called the "Table Treasure Hunt." 

The next poster shows a profile photograph of John Lennon with the words from his song "Imagine." The lyrics of the song are stunning: 

Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us, above us only sky, imagine all the people, living for today. 

Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do, nothing to kill or die for, and no religion to, imagine all the people, living in peace.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one. 

Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, no need for greed or hunger, only the brotherhood of man, imagine all the people, sharing all the world.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.

The third poster is a show poster from the Lyric Opera of Chicago dated 1982. The opera is Madama Butterfly by Puccini. This poster is particularly important to me as I was not in the first one but was in three of the returning productions over the years. My role was Uncle, which in some productions is a singing role but not this one, but is an important part of Butterfly's family and part of the wedding party with lots of stage time, up front and center!

On the Wall between the tub alcove in the shower is a handcarved wooden plaque from Thailand which contains in 15 individual niches, 15 hand carved Buddha amulets showing seven pairs of seated Buddha's in variation and one individual pose.

Hanging on the mirror back over the sink, above the red ceramic fountain that contains water running constantly as a drinking fountain for my cats, is a banner with a quote from his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, entitled "The True Meaning of Life." We are visitors on this planet we are here for 90 or 100 years at the very most during that period, we must try to do something good something useful, with our lives if you contribute to other people's happiness, you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life. No need to tell the importance of the story behind this one!

So even in a room as as mundane as a bathroom, If you look closely, and sometimes ask, there are stories to be told.

A Funny Thing Happened

Last night I attended the first opera of the season, Wagner's "Das Rheingold," the first of the "Ring Trilogy."

It was a magnificent production which lasted two and a half hours without intermission. The music was beautiful, the voices strong, and the staging intriguing. The set was somewhat "Steam Punk," the concept of which is a favorite of mine.  (Steampunk is modern technology—iPads, computers, robotics, air travel—powered by steam and set in the 1800’s.) 

There were huge puppets, glimmering gold orbs, carts drawn around the stage, balanced lifts hoisting maidens to simulate swimming in water, elevators going below stage and rising above stage for wonderful effects!

My seat was in the first balcony on the aisle. At the end of the performance, the woman who had been sitting behind me tapped my shoulder. She was old (I can say that because I too am old :-) and her face informed me that she was probably an unhappy, cranky one!

"Will that be your seat for the entire season?" she inquired, not necessarily in a nice way.

"Yes and no," I replied, "My tickets will be moving me between different seats for each performance. May I ask why you asked?"

"Well," angrily, "This was a very difficult performance for me, I could not see over your head."

"Interesting, I am not that tall!" Actually this is the first time in my close to 72 year that anyone has complained about how tall I am! I am 5'7".

"Well," she continued, "It was very difficult for me. I did not enjoy the opera at all because I could see over your head!"

"Maybe you should talk to the box office," was my final reply.

"I just might do that!" she countered.

My initial feeling was to feel guilty but then I told myself that this was her problem not mine. And she could have been a little nicer but that probably is not who she is during the daylight hours!

I scanned my behavior during the opera and I know that I did not squirm in my seat too often, made no noise unwrapping my cough drops, did not lean forward which really blocks the person behind and for the most part did not remember any other issues that could have caused her unhappiness besides my being "too tall!"

Oh well. I too hate when a really tall person sits in front of me or when they are "antsy" and move around a lot, but I try not to complain to them.

Lyric Opera of Chicago Back Stage Tour

As a Supernumerary of the Lyric, I was in 20 operas over a period of 13 years. A Supernumerary (extra numbers) is an acting extra. If you sing, you get fired :-) I also was a docent who was part of the Opera Guild Back Stage Tours.

Play this video to see the back stage tour

Carmen

Carmen

Faust

 Cavaleria Rusticana

Aida

Atilla

Tosca

Avila

Alive At The Theater

I can't really explain it. But I can feel it oh so strongly. When I see theater, I feel oh so alive! Theater of any type. Plays, musicals, opera? One of my unrealized fantasies has always been to be "on stage" and not the type that is leaving in 15 minutes. I mean the type where I run off to New York to be "discovered" and end up in a musical that is going into its 235,741st performance. I did a smattering of work on stage when I was in college: "Little Me" as a chorus member and dancer and a "farce" as part of a playwright workshop and a few others. But I devoted my energies to being an educator for thirty years instead of running off.

The next best to fantasy experience was being part of over fifteen operas during a twelve year stretch as a supernumerary (an acting extra) for The Lyric Opera of Chicago. One is cast on three criteria: 1) If a previous production - do you fit the costume (which can be altered +/- three inches.) If a new production go to number two. 2) Do you fit the director's vision - if looking for older dark men who could be Italian, Greek, Jewish, etc, I'm in. If looking for tall, young, blonds - I'm out. and 3) If you meet the first two, it helps that they know you from previous operas and that you are reliable, will be at all rehearsals and performances, and you can take direction well.

I haven't been in an opera for several years because I could not be away from Gregory for the time commitment necessary to be in one. I recently went to a casting where they were looking for 11 men. Seventy-five men showed up. I was not cast. I might go to future castings but am wondering if the time commitment and energy necessary are past my prime?

So last night when I not only got to see a wonderful operetta but also knew a number of the singers in the show, had worked with the director, and knew many opera related people in the audience, I felt really alive. The director introduced me to two of her friends saying, "Michael was in the first opera I ever directed and we became instant friends." I commented on how alive I felt when in the midst of all this (waving my arms) and she told me she would be in touch to involve me in some of her future work. 

The female lead, when I introduced myself after the show and thanked her said, "I saw you on the street and then was pleased to see you in the audience." We took a photo together. The male lead in the show, and also founder and artistic director of the store front opera company, was exuberant in shaking my hand as I thanked him and excitedly blurted, "I know you from the Lyric. You are also that man who has those small toys and that museum that my wife and I and kids came to the opening a while ago." Yes that is me!

So I not only feel alive when I attend a theater event but even more alive when I can vicariously feel part of it or know people involved in it. Maybe this aliveness is still destined to be part of my experience in earnest when I finally produce my Flea Circus, when I get my book published, when the documentary wins The Sundance Film Festival and goes viral, or due to something of which I am not yet aware.

OK. Orders placed. Now realize them and see what happens. I'll let you know!

Michael with two female leads

Michael with director

The operetta I saw last night

Porgy & Bess

Yesterday I attended a dress rehearsal of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess at The Lyric Opera of Chicago. I was honored to be in the audience watching the powerful, gut wrenching, beautiful story. The Principals, Chorus, Supers, Orchestra and of course all of the back stage people did an amazing job!

In particular (because I am a friend of hers) Gwendolyn Brown's performance was stellar. She was the pin that held the show together in the community of Catfish Row and Kittiwah Island. Her voice is beautiful, her convincing body language subtle but expressive. Through her as a focal point, we could feel the community's sorrow, hopelessness, as well as the faith in God and the momentary joys and fleeting hope.

I am so pleased to say that I have had the honor of working with her in the past when she were in the Lyric chorus and I was a Supernumerary. I know she will continue to go far with her career.

Denyce Graves

Notes on attending an Opera Master Class with Denyce Graves at Northwestern University. The slant of her entire presentation was GOD oriented. Ms. Graves is a very talented as well as wise person.

"Listen to your heart and that which is not you will fall away." 

"Life is ... 'the innocent cause if your sorrow.' As spoken by The Commodore to Butterfly was a character defining statement in her portrayal of Butterfly."

"The challenges never stop. We continue to gather information for our souls."

"It is not always what you chose but what choses you."

"Everything is going to be OK in the end."

March 2009

At the Opera

Saw Renee Fleming a while back in Handel's Alcina at The Lyric Opera of Chicago. I was supering at the time in the Miller/Balcolm/Weinstein's world premier of "View from the Bridge."

After Alcina I went backstage to see if I could get an autograph on two CDs I brought along. I got in line at her dressing room door with my friend Sharon, behind four or five other couples. When Ms. Fleming had changed she opened her door and began greeting people.

When it was our turn she looked at me like, "Do I know you?" and I explained that I was a super for the Lyric and was currently in “View from the Bridge.” I introduced myself and my friend Sharon and told Ms. Fleming how much I enjoyed her performance.

I asked if I could please impose on her for an autograph knowing how exhausted she must be from the difficult role of Alcina.  She was very gracious, explained away any exhaustion compared to the joy of the performance and having people come to see her back stage. She even remembered my name as she signed the CD I had handed her, “To Michael, A Fellow Opera Lover. With Affection, Renee Fleming."

She told me that she would be at the final performance of "Bridge" and asked me about my part. The next night after the final “Bridge” performance the stage back lobby was filled with all kinds of important people and press due to the world premier significance of the opera.

As I was leaving through the lobby, Renee Fleming called out, “Michael,” as she came running towards me and grabbed my hands in hers, “You were wonderful. What an opera! I enjoyed it so much.” I thanked her and we exchanged “opera kisses.” 

Can you imaging how impressed my fellow supers were?

February 8, 2009

Opera

Notes from a Northwestern University Opera Master Class with Susan Graham:

Posture/alignment

Body movement in place

Body movement across stage

Physical strength

Facial expresion

Hands position

Voice control

Breath control

Delivery

Emotional expression

Subtle communications

Action/reaction

Melody

Pronunciation

Foreign language

Word meaning

Story line

Character

AN OPERA SINGER MUST BE AWARE OF

ALL OF THESE AT THE SAME TIME!

La Traviata

We just have arrived home from a dress rehearsal of the opera which is the opener of the 2007/2008 season at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. “La Traviata.” By Giuseppe Verdi. An opera in three acts with two intermissions. Three hours total. A war-horse as they are called, part of the seasons over and over again. First performed at Teatro La Fenice, Venice on March 6, 1853, over one hundred and fifty years ago. The music is beautiful. The voices are superb. The acting is believable. The story ... NOT! In fact, the story demonstrates one of my pet peeves. 

An aside: Gregory and I visited Venice in May of 2004. We stayed at a hotel that was just adjacent to what used to be, then was, then used to be, and now is the Teatro La Fenice. Construction of La Fenice began in 1790 and was completed in 1792. It burned to the ground in 1836. La Fenice rose from the ashes (that is what the name means) in 1844. In 1996 it was once again completely destroyed by fire. In March 2001, a court in Venice found two electricians guilty of setting the fire. Enrico Carella and his cousin, Massimiliano Marchetti, appeared to have set the building ablaze because their company was facing heavy fines over delays in repair work. Carella, the company's owner, was sent to prison for seven years, while Marchetti received a six-year sentence. It took, in the manner Italian, from 1996 until November 2004 to rebuild the opera house and the first production in the new opera house was La Traviata. How fitting.

A second aside: One morning as Gregory and I were preparing for our day’s outing in Venice, we heard a beautiful tenor’s voice drifting through our window which opened on the construction site of the most current La Fenice. The site consisted of a hole in the ground, a tall crane erected in the center of the hole, and a steel frame that would become the perimeter of the building. Wondering where the music was coming from, we peered out of our window and saw a lone construction worker, with hard hat and overalls, climbing the crane and singing. He was singing an aria from La Bohem. Was a “goose-bump” moment. Construction site, construction worker, crane, opera aria, La Fenice. Can you tell it is an experience neither of us will ever forget?

Back to the story. “La Traviata” that is. It is a story about Violetta, a courtesan (a prostitute with wealthy upper class clients cerca 17th centry France) who falls in love with Alfredo and in Act One, gives up her old loose way of life to love only him.

In Act Two, Alfredo’s father persuades Violetta to give up his son for Alfredo’s own sake, his sister’s and family’s sake, and to please God. Violetta decides to leave for Paris but first writes a letter to Alfredo, packs, and leaves. Alfred arrives home, his father returns, a messenger shows up with the letter from Violetta (whom the messenger happened to meet on the road,) and Alfredo declares he will get his revenge on Violetta for leading him on and then deserting him. P.S. Violetta is dying of consumption.

In Act III, Alfredo returns to forgive Violetta and ask her forgiveness, Alfredo’s father asks her forgiveness as well, the doctor arrives, Violetta is feeling much better and stronger, and asks forgiveness from both Alfredo and his father. A moment or two later she falls over dead. At least she died happy.

Back to: 1) The music was beautiful. 2) The voices superb. 3) The acting believable. 4) The story ... NOT. Here is the peeve, at least from my point of view: Why waste all that time when life passes too quickly as it is, why miss opportunities, and why reap all that sadness when you could have spent your time more happily from the beginning. Why not follow your heart in love and don’t worry about what your parents or what God might say. Have you been dishonest? Have you harmed anyone? Have you been true to yourself? These should be your tests. If your answer are NO, NO, and YES ... you pass. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if it was that easy to live your life? If Violetta and Alfred had done that from the beginning, the opera would not have gone on for three hours. But maybe a brief encounter of honesty and love is worth more than any three hour period of time? Maybe the opera was closer to real life than I imagined!

January 23, 2010 - Revised

Coo Coo

It has been a little coo coo around here lately.

Michael's Museum: A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures, a permanent exhibit at Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier has been open now for one year, one month and a half. As a final releasing of the things of Michael's Museum, Mark from Chicago Children's Museum and I went through the storage locker one last time. I wanted to see what items not used in the current exhibit might be used in the exhibit at some future point, I also wanted to bring home any very important items which I knew would never show their face in one of the collections.

For example, as a Supernumerary (acting extra) at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, I was a recently illegally immigrated Italian in the world premier of "A View from the Bridge," an opera based on the play by Arthur Miller. In storage I retrieved two gold framed pieces of memorabilia from that performance: in one a program autographed by everyone in the cast, in the other a program autographed by Arthur Miller with an opening night on stage photograph of the composer William Bolcolm, librettist Harry Weinstein, and author Arthur Miller. They are now hanging on my bedroom.

I also brought home three clocks that used to hang next to Gregory's mother's Grandmother clock in the museum when it was still in our guest room. Now, in our new guest room at the condo, all four clocks are reunited after over five years of three of them being in storage. One wall regulator clock chimes the hour and half hour with a beautiful voice. One larger coo coo clock, given to me by my friend Marla (RIP) who brought it home from a trip to Germany, opens it's coo coo door and the coo coo sings on the half hour and hour. In addition a group of four couples dance around the top of the clock to the alternating music box "Finicula Finicule" and "Tannenbaum." There is a smaller coo coo clock whose coo coo counts the hour and coos once on the half hour.

Finally last night, all four clocks went off at the same time at midnight. What a concert! What a cacophony! Wonderfully coo coo to listen to!

The Game of Clue

Love comes from the strangest places at the strangest times.

The other day, while at rehearsal for Carmen at The Lyric Opera of Chicago, I took a picture of the set of Act 2. I texted it to my niece with the questions "Guess who? Guess where?"

The response came: "My favorite uncle, at the opera house, with the candle stick."

Love and humor come from the strangest places but at the most needed moments.

Writing Less

I seem to be writing less about general things as I write more about Alzheimer's Disease and Michael's Museum. Both of these are taking a lot of time and effort from me, both a labor of love but also a drain. Carmen, the current opera in which I am appearing at The Lyric Opera of Chicago, makes me sound like a prima donna doesn't it, is also taking time and love but that will end by my birthday on March 27th. This just in time to celebrate not only my 66th birthday (which I think I would prefer to let quietly slip by) but also the first anniversary of my mother's death. And this will take time and effort. I yearn for some empty time away from what I know I would end up carrying with me anyway. No escape. Will need to do some work on this.

Seasonal Changes

Today was the last day of our Christmas Season. All of the entertaining is done, all the presents given and those received unwrapped. Most of the homemade cookies gone: Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Raisin, Date Nut Bars, Walnut Balls, Chocolate Walnut Balls, Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Chip, Brownie Bites. Tomorrow we take down the decorations.

As much as we love the holidays and decorations and celebrations and entertaining, we also enjoy putting everything away until next season and getting our life back to normal. The house always seems so much more orderly and spacious when all of the Christmas is tucked back into boxes and put back on the shelves in the laundry room above the washer and dryer.

Now is the time to pick up all the projects that have been put on hold as well as the time to reflect on last year and the possibilities of next year. This week Gregory and I are preparing for an art show at our friend's Jan & Jake's IN THE TABLE GALLERY. Carmen at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and my role as a supernumerary continues again for eight performances in March. The count down until the opening of my Michael's Museum at The Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier begins in earnest: Friday, May 13, 2011. Writing continues. Photography continues. Work on "As Assembly of Assemblages" which opens on June 1, 2011 at the Lincolnwood Village Hall Gallery will go on simultaneously.

Life is busy. Life is good.

A "STAR" at the Opera

One of the reasons that I so love the opera is answered in a quote of mine (is it humble to quote oneself?) that says:  "I have figured out the reason I so love opera ... life is meant to be sung.” (1995)


I have been involved with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in approximately 20 operas as an acting extra (Supernumerary) for 13 years now and have been on stage (sometimes with up to 150 principals, chorus, and fellow Supers) in front of 3,600 people each time, in costume and sometimes makeup.


With only: 1) the commitment of time, 2) being able to "take direction," 3) fitting the directors vision of me as one of the characters in the opera and 4) fitting into the costume; I have become part of the company at one of the world's premier opera houses. I have done this without having had to spend years studying voice, acting, or running off to NYC to become famous (which I admit is still a fantasy!)


The majority of people I have worked with at the Lyric have been nice, humble, down to earth people. The mystique of the DIVA, for the most part, I would put to rest based on my experience.


My friend Marla (who was an avid opera fan until her death in 2005) gave me a metal, enameled star that said "A Star is Born." I put it on a ribbon and when I arrive at the opera house for a performance, I place it over one of the makeup lights at my place in the dressing room.

At last night's performance of Carmen, I really did feel like one of the "STARS" of the opera. Let me tell you why.


One of the things I enjoy doing when in an opera is giving backstage tours to friends who will be in the audience that night. They come 30 minutes before my call time and I show them around backstage, talk about he behind the scenes business of opera, and share other anecdotes about my experiences as a Supernumerary.


Last night I gave a backstage tour for friends Cathy, Joe, Alex, and Lily. This was the first opera Alex (12) and Lily (10.) They arrived at the stage door with one of the most beautiful flower bouquets I have ever seen (see picture attached.) They were a wonderful audience as I led them around the backstage areas and told my stories. An e-mail received the next day thanked me for a "very special experience" which helped everyone enjoy Carmen even more than they expected. For a half hour, I was the star of the "Backstage at the Lyric" show.


Naturally my fellow Supers had to use the flowers as an excuse to tease me: "Did you send yourself flowers again?" "Just because you are in all four acts doesn't mean you should get flowers." "I suppose Carmen sent you those?"


Next, in Act 1 when Carmen (Katherine Goeldner) enters the stage through the backstage center arch (which is located right where my newsstand is stationed) she really flirted with me this time. She got close, whispered a few endearments, stroked my face, and as she began to continue her flirting as she moved towards the front of the stage, I reached out and caressed her arm. All in the day's work of an actor but since Katherine and I have become "opera friends" as we chatted during rehearsals, her attention meant a lot to me. Also, all this went on center stage in front of 3,600 people who wanted to watch Carmen and got to watch me as well! We were both stars.


While I was waiting back stage to escort Michela to the smuggler's hideout, 12 minutes into Act 3, I was sitting next to Don Jose (Carmen's jilted lover) sung by Younghoon Lee. He said, "Oh, I have a picture of you. Let me go back to my dressing room to get it." Usually people take pictures of the stars, but here was a friend of Don Jose's in the audience during dress rehearsal and he took a picture of me!


Finally, in the back stage lobby, as I was leaving after the performance, I commented to Escamillo, Kyle Kettelson, about how much I loved his performance and the strength of his voice. In response, he imitated my regal wave as I cross the stage, The Mayor of Seville, in the parade into the bull fight ring and replied, "And I you." I was impressed that he even noticed me.


Life really is meant to be sung. And sung BIG.