This is very bad news indeed
AP reports that Beverly Sills is “gravely ill with cancer.” Sills has always been very hands-on with her PR, so if she’s allowing this story to get out, I’m afraid she’s basically announcing that the end is very near. (If she’s not in control of the story, that’s not good news either: she’d have to be very sick indeed to let that happen.)
UPDATE: Sills’ long-time publicist Edgar Vincent has confirmed earlier reports of her illness.
Sills sang Violetta in my first-ever Traviata in the (mid?)70′s here in Seattle. My folks knew someone who could get us backstage, and she signed my program: “A big hug! Beverly Sills”. I wish I had saved that program, but I have many recordings that have thrilled me over the years…I hope she is being well taken care of in this difficult time!
I remember her singing “Una voce poco fa” on TV once a long time ago and absolutely enthralling me the way she made it come alive. The great warmth in her voice and downright secure musicality made evertything she did come alive- a really exciting performer. I join you in sending prayers for her- she is a great lady.
All the angels are truly returning to the heavens!
What that women could do with language- ah- the likes of her will not be heard again soon.
And if she could do just one thing before she rests- please let her teach someone how to sing a cabaletta- I’ve never heard anyone match her for understanding of the dramatic urgency and impulse of the cabaletta- not even La Callas- when Sills was on fire it was a sight and sound to be hold. Pace, pace sweet lady.
I was very lucky. Her Lucia was one of the first operas I ever saw (when she was at her peak). Violetta, Elisabeth in ROBERTO DEVEREAUX, ARIODANTE, Rosina in BARBER, and, my favorite, Marie in FILLE DU REGGIMENT. I relish her recordings of Cleopatra, Manon and the Queen of Shemakha. I have many autographs (when I had her sign the cover of Time magazine on which she appeared in her ROBERTO DEVEREAUX makeup, she laughed “Ah. My baby picture!”) A friend had her sign a copy of the MANON LP for my birthday many years ago — it still hangs on my office wall in a place of honor. I feel that I am losing my longest, truest love. . .God Bless and thanks for so much pleasure! Her throaty laugh and lovely song will make heaven a more joyful place.
THere’s a whole host of Sills videos posted on YouTube, including selections from her Manon, Rosina, Lucia (mad scene), Cleopatra, Maria Stuarda and Baby Doe.
There’s also a video of her first appearance on film — singing an aria, at age 8, in the 1938 movie, “Uncle Sol Solves It.”
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAz2HgSZaDs
I’m so sad to hear this and do hope and pray she can rally back. We were fortunate to have her in SF many times, and being of a certain age, I saw her in Lucia (with Pav), Traviata, Fille (with Hermione Gingold), Thais, and Puritani. She also came here several times in recital. Every performance was memorable and full of integrity and consummate musicianship. As much as I have been thrilled with her dramatic abilities and coloratura (has anyone ever sung anything more infectiously joyful than her “Oh luce di quest’ anima”?), the pieces that immediately come to my mind most poignantly are some of the small tender things — the Liszt “Oh quand je dors,” the Koechlin “Si tu le veux,” the Portuguese folk song which which she ended every recital. She is truly one of a kind, both as an artist and person.
For anyone who may not be aware, there is a wonderfully detailed site devoted to her career with complete performance annals and many, many recordings and videos:
http://www.beverlysillsonline.com/
Don’t forget the time she subbed for Gianni Carson one night and had Carol Burnett and Edye Gorme with her. What a night of perfect TV.
I got one of those “big hug” autographs too!!! Even better, it was my birthday and she duly noted that. It was the libretto for her “Lucia” recording. On my 14th birthday, she had a record signing in San Francisco. My parents kept me home from school and took me to meet my idol in celebration. During an era of stupendous singers, no one made a greater impact on me.
What particularly moves me is that, despite her well-deserved success and great personal wealth, the woman has continually lived with personal challenges – her severely disabled son, her daughter’s deafness and now MS, her husband’s long illness before his passing. Sills is truly a force of nature, a woman of formidable inner strength and grace. For all she received, she gave back and more.
Please may she not suffer. A woman who has graced us with such art and spirit deserves no less. At least it can be said that she’s always taken every drop of the cup of life.
“has anyone ever sung anything more infectiously joyful than her “Oh luce di quest’ anima”?”
Oh, winpal, you said a mouthful. A friend bought me the Bellini & Donizetti Heroines album when I first started studying voice, insisting that listen to “the best.” I knew nothing about opera, but I heard this and I still thought “I have never heard anyone sound like she was having so much fun”.
I pray for her comfort.
A real must also are the two arias in l’Assedio di Corinto from la Scala, especially when Miss Sills prays heaven letting her voice float with everlasting breathe… Model for singing, expressing pure delight, skills of art hidden.