farewell, bubbles!

this holiday i am saddened by the loss of one of the brightest american opera singers america has ever known.

she was more than just a singer - she was an inspiration to all who love music.

beverly sills died of lung cancer on monday - her voice now left to those wonderful recordings for us to enjoy.

i had the great privilege of working on an opera where she was more than just the star - she was the inspiration!

in 1970s, i was doing makeup for opera companies, including a performance of Daughter of the Regiment, where she was the inspiration for all the cast and crew.  as we worked feverishly to finish the company makeup prior to the curtain rising, bubbles bounced into the large hall where we were mass producing those finished faces and exhuberantly encouraged everyone to have a wonderful performance.

only two other times did i ever see a "star" come back to see the underlings - the first was when baryshnikov came through the darkened studio of ch 13, (wnet - pbs ny) to find the oft overlooked makeup artist to say thank you. the second was when sir john guilgeud kissed my cheek my last day in the studio [after i told him he was one of my inspirations for choosing theatre as a profession. (think, duke of clarence in richard III, 1955). i was speechless when bubbles came through on the wind and inspired all to an incredible performance, as i was touched by the simple thank you of baryshnikov and the soft kiss to my cheek by an 80 year old legend (wherein my knees buckled).

few people impact theatre people in  this way - for most of us, we share a profession, a job that is made of all integral parts.

rarely are the few "superstars" who act as such respected or given more than a passing chuckle at how they think that they, alone, make their star shine.

most of all, we in the working theatre consider each other as a part of the greater whole - one part missing, the entire production is less.  theatre, opera, ballet, orchestra, band - all are a composite of many talents input to make a unique experience when the catalyst of an audience is present.  

why this musing?  

because once in a bright flash, a star enriches all our lives - makes us all lift a bit higher, reach for that extra "magic".  bubbles was one of those.

i will miss her - all who worked with her will miss her... but mostly, the young rising stars who have never been in her energy will miss her - until a new beverly sills appears on the horizon - whether an opera singer, a dancer, a rock star, a flautist - when that magic is there, all the world stops for a minute and basks in the glory!

dearest beverly, you will make heavenly choir sound even sweeter!

thank you.