#EmpressVeronica

[empressveronica]

When I was in music school at the conservatory that is not part of the Berklee school of music, we were able to get tickets to go to the Metropolitan Opera. It was during that time may have heard Luciano Pavarotti perform live. Pavarotti was unique his voice like something from heaven. Truly a force of nature. .

Enrico Caruso had long been my favorite Tenor and in many ways he still is.

I can only imagine what it would have been like to hear him performing live; some speculate he was one of the few courageous people that lent his voice to the rather primitive recording techniques at that time which was why many passed on recording their voices because of the comparitivly poor quality as compared with recordings of modern times

Caruso benefited Humanity and the Arts as a whole.

As far as Sopranos go Maria Callas is my favorite. Shirley Verrett who I had the pleasure of sharing a stage with and since I was also an actor I landed a small part the Boston Opera Company's production of Aida in the early 80's

While playing a palace guard I chased her love interest of the Opera Radames with a spear in my hand.

James McCracken play the lead role Radames during that production.

During one show I lost my footing and slipped during the chase scene with my helmet falling off my head and the landing in the orchestra pit. While a true Diva, madam Verrett was also very kind.

Later backstage she asked how I was feeling and if I was okay. I thanked her and replied that I was.

I was mesmerised. It was a wonderful time to be young.

[empressveronica]

Listening to the compositions I've written today is both painful and enjoyable at different times. I write an autobiographical style of things I know of and lived. I don't condone drug addiction but it happens. I don't condone criminal activity but it happens to some of the nicest people. I am not the nicest person but I love making people happy. I have survived and learned life lessons and gained wisdom.