My trip to get my winter coat fixed led to a breif but thought provoking conversation about Maria Callas, Mario Lanza, and acting in opera.
Back in October I was in Milwaukee, singing Haydn’s Creation with the Bel Canto Chorus. I realized that the zipper on my winter coat would not zip. It was only in the 40's and 50's when I was there, so it was really not much of a problem. The real problem is that I am heading to New York in 13 days to sing and then I fly from there to Oklahoma City on the 15th for 3 more days including a concert with Dave Brubeck. Let's just say, New York is due for snow and Oklahoma City has had crazy weather the last 2 weeks. I need to take no chances on freezing my butt off, not that my blood has thinned that much being down here. I just can't afford to be walking around between tall buildings in NYC without a functional winter coat.
I took the coat over to a local Greek lady who does alterations. (for those of you who don’t know me, I’m ½ Greek and thus supporting the local economy) She had stepped out, but there was an older gentleman "watching the store" for her for a couple of minutes. He sees me with the winter coat and proceeds to ask me where I am going with it. It is nearly 80 degrees here today, so you must have a real purpose to carry a winter coat. I explained that I was going on a trip to New York then Oklahoma in a couple of weeks and I needed to get the zipper fixed.
"So what you do in the New York" (ok so I'm typing in a Greek accent)
"I'm going to New York to sing."
"What dyou sing? What kin-ada-music?"
"I sing opera."
His eyes light up!
"Oh, you gonna sing at da Met? I love Maria Callas! She is my favorite opera singer! Have you heard of her? I used to have recording of Maria, but I lose it!"
he continues...
"I no like that young Italian tenor, you know his name? Fat Italian tenor!"
"Luciano Pavarotti???"
"Ah yes...I no like Pavarotti.......Lanza...Mario Lanza... I love Lanza...and Callas. Lanza, he sing beautiful music. Lanza good actor in movies."
Just then, the lady walks in and the opera conversation is over, but it certainly made me think. Whether or not you are a Callas fan, one thing is certain, she could act. She is especially remarkable in her acting during a time of opera when many of her contemporaries just stood there and sang. One of those people that has been know to just stand there and sing is Pavarotti. For the gentleman in the store, it was not just a beautiful voice that made the opera star, but also their skill at acting, whether it was on the big screen or on stage.
The best singers are not always the best actors, and the best actors are not always the best singers. When you do get lucky enough to behold someone who has both gifts at once, you have seen something special.
