A Friday with Verdi,,,,

 or at least his overture to Giovanna D'Arco. For those uninitiated, Giovanna D'Arco is an early opera by Verdi, possibly his fifth or sixth, not really sure---out of the monotony of being home on a Friday evening, remembered my interest in the opera and found the overture on Youtube. Quite amazing! Early part has soft inventive, somewhat introspective qualities, while the finale of the overture is a true "blood and guts" Italian march---totally accessible. And that is the great thing about Verdi.; he could create music that could go from soft and gentle to open excitement. How many operas did Verdi compose before the "earliest"  ones that are done in the opera houses all the time: Rigoletto, Traviata and Trovatore. Probably about 13. A part of me would like to explore them all---but I wonder if I really have the concentration to do it. They are all there---in full--on youtube. But I hate sitting in front of the computer for a long time. Still, I am curious; there is so much Verdi that I would like to know from his early period. We will see how it plays out.

Actually I attended a concert version of this opera in spring of 1966. I remember it well---it was the year of my "infatutation" with opera--I was doing standing room at the Met at least two or three times a week. This concert version at Carnegie Hall had Teresa Stratas and Sherrill Milnes---both young exciting singers at the time---in the leads---I don't remember who the tenor was. Did not make a great impression at the time---but I simply had to see it. How would I describe the Spring of 66 in my life? It was a time of ease and discovery. I was working at the Department of Welfare on Tremont Avenue in the Bronx---interacting with other young workers---all of us in "transition', taking an acting class with Milton Katselas (very supportive) and falling in love with the world of opera. A calm had settled over my life, and I was feeling very relaxed about things. I remember a mild, spring Saturday evening, walking, by myself, through the streets of the upper west side, near the rooming house where I was living on west 94 street. A feeling of tremendous calm came over me---it was as if I was comfortable in my own shoes---no dates, no involvement--just myself. I think I was surprised by that feeling, but it was indicative of that whole time. This would change in mid July of that year, when I quit the Department of Welfare, because I thought I wanted to auditon for theater work full time, and I presumed that I was ready. At first, relieved, but then long days followed with little to do--tried to do some part time work on shape ups or same day hirings---usually did not go well. More chaotic, more pressure, but I continued. Should I have stayed at the Department of Welfare a little longer. I liked the life--but if was a year after I was "humiliated' at Yale, and I was anxious to prove that the "humiliation" was wrong. What happened after that---well that is another story, possibly to be discussed in another blog post.

Just found out that one of my students tomorrow has canceled. A little more financial pressure because of that--but maybe also some time to explore. Will keep you posted.