What could be better? While sitting in my office today, medieval sacred tones wafted from the Sophia Room, which is directly across the hall from my office, into the hallway. A small group was chanting, "Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae." They were taking part in a "Chant Camp" weekend led by Susan Hellauer, singer, teacher and founding member of the renowned vocal ensemble, Anonymous 4.
As these sounds massaged my ears with memories of the daily chanting we used to do in our Dominican communities, my eyes were reading today’s online issue of the New York Times. To be more specific, I was reading a wonderful article about the Metropolitan Opera’s special performance on Thursday afternoon of Verdi’s "Requiem." It was performed in memory of Italian opera great, Luciano Pavarotti. He died of pancreatic cancer September 6, 2007.
The article told of the 3,000 seats which filled very quickly after 8,600 opera lovers submitted entry forms for this once in a life time free performance to honor "the Maestro." James Levine conducted the 80 minute score.
Reading of Pavarotti’s love for the Verdi Requiem and the opera greats who performed with the Met’s chorus was enough to make one’s heart sigh for not having been there in person.
For a brief time I was caught between two worlds – the one outside my office door and the one on my computer screen. ‘Tis a 21st Century phenomenon!
Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP
As these sounds massaged my ears with memories of the daily chanting we used to do in our Dominican communities, my eyes were reading today’s online issue of the New York Times. To be more specific, I was reading a wonderful article about the Metropolitan Opera’s special performance on Thursday afternoon of Verdi’s "Requiem." It was performed in memory of Italian opera great, Luciano Pavarotti. He died of pancreatic cancer September 6, 2007.
The article told of the 3,000 seats which filled very quickly after 8,600 opera lovers submitted entry forms for this once in a life time free performance to honor "the Maestro." James Levine conducted the 80 minute score.
Reading of Pavarotti’s love for the Verdi Requiem and the opera greats who performed with the Met’s chorus was enough to make one’s heart sigh for not having been there in person.
For a brief time I was caught between two worlds – the one outside my office door and the one on my computer screen. ‘Tis a 21st Century phenomenon!
Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP
