The concert went well. Now, if Farklempt said that this was the greatest concert in the history of the BCF, you would say, "Oh, that's what he says about everything...this is the greatest...that was the greatest..." But it's true. Carol, who doesn't pull punches, said it was one of the all time greats. Yes, there was the Berlioz Requiem, and the Dvorak Stabat Mater, but tonight, Giuseppe Verdi was il re del mondo and Joe Colaneri was a man on fire. Every emotion, every nuance was in his face, his body, his stick. One moment, he was a Mephistophalean menace, snarling through the fires at the gates of hell. Then, he was a cringing, contrite sinner, pleading for forgiveness. This was the first Verdi Requiem that he has conducted. He is an opera conductor by trade. And, although he doesn't like it when people say that the Requiem is Verdi's greatest opera, it is indeed filled with Verdian operatic passion, narrative, drama, and a compelling driving force.
Wade Tyree
My voice was strong. I was so pleased to be able to make the big sound again after being so long impaired. I could have sung it again at the end. The audience went wild. It was a standing O, of course. Now, just so you know that Farklempt is being truthful, let it here be said, that the cellos and the trumpets were weak. Next time, Trudy, hire the Rhode Island Philharmonic. They run circles around the Springfield. Otherwise, it was perfect.

Before the post-concert party, I was greeted by my claque of 11: Carol, the Barrons, the Rothenbergs, the Putnois, the Spinats, the Hirschtritts. Naturally, prompted by Carol, they all shouted, "Oh, Michael, you were the best. Your voice stood out from all the others." This is just what a chorister loves to hear in front of his colleagues.
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My claque

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                       Linda Dufault & Carol
At the party, there was a wondeful skit sending up Colaneri and the Requiem, featuring his teenage daughter as the star of the skit.As Joe said later in his remarks, "De apple, sheeza no falla far from da tree."

There was such a good feeling as Joe accepted the gift of Verdi in La Fenice presented to him by Patty Kruglak, who, as always, gave an warm, honest, and elegant message of thanks, which reflected our love for the conductor, and reflected the wonderful human being that she is, as well.

And so, it was the best, the very best--the best music, the best piece, the best conductor, the best friends, the best food, the best wine, the best wife, the best of all things that make life so very good.