Just got Volpe's book today and ...

[Lance]

... what "juicy" reading I have discovered in this new book by Volpe. It arrived today. Joseph Volpe tells it like it is (at least from his experienced POV) ... I have to give the man credit, he minces no words about anybody in this book. All the Kathleen Battle story is there, her dismissal from the met. What a shame as I thought hers was one of the most extraordinary voices I've heard in a long, long time. One learns a little more about Pavarotti, and also Herbert Breslin and many others. A darn good book for a sunny afternoon on your patio (but no mint julep!) Could a law suit ever come out of the publication of a book of this nature? It is, after all, the man's personal memoirs, from carpenter to king of the Met!

[ch1525]

Did anyone attend/watch the Met's Tribute to Joe tonight? Quite a lineup it was.

[Lance]

Did anyone attend/watch the Met's Tribute to Joe tonight? Quite a lineup it was.

I wished I had been around to view it. Perhaps it will be rebroadcast.

[Ralph]

... what "juicy" reading I have discovered in this new book by Volpe. It arrived today. Joseph Volpe tells it like it is (at least from his experienced POV) ... I have to give the man credit, he minces no words about anybody in this book. All the Kathleen Battle story is there, her dismissal from the met. What a shame as I thought hers was one of the most extraordinary voices I've heard in a long, long time. One learns a little more about Pavarotti, and also Herbert Breslin and many others. A darn good book for a sunny afternoon on your patio (but no mint julep!) Could a law suit ever come out of the publication of a book of this nature? It is, after all, the man's personal memoirs, from carpenter to king of the Met!

*****

An aggrieved subject in anyone's memoirs could bring a libel action if he/she believed the author defamed them. Such suits are hardly uncommon. But the plaintiff would have to prove that the material was both false and of a nature that would lessen him/her in the eyes of many.

I'm sure the publisher's attorneys vetted Volpe's manuscript.

[Lance]

... what "juicy" reading I have discovered in this new book by Volpe. It arrived today. Joseph Volpe tells it like it is (at least from his experienced POV) ... I have to give the man credit, he minces no words about anybody in this book. All the Kathleen Battle story is there, her dismissal from the met. What a shame as I thought hers was one of the most extraordinary voices I've heard in a long, long time. One learns a little more about Pavarotti, and also Herbert Breslin and many others. A darn good book for a sunny afternoon on your patio (but no mint julep!) Could a law suit ever come out of the publication of a book of this nature? It is, after all, the man's personal memoirs, from carpenter to king of the Met!

*****

An aggrieved subject in anyone's memoirs could bring a libel action if he/she believed the author defamed them. Such suits are hardly uncommon. But the plaintiff would have to prove that the material was both false and of a nature that would lessen him/her in the eyes of many.

I'm sure the publisher's attorneys vetted Volpe's manuscript.

Volpe speaks kindly and reverently of Kathleen Battle's great vocal instrument. He is backed up by many who worked with her when he finally fired her from the Met. To relate actual characteristics of the bad points of one's personality—as is done in this book about Battle, specifically—I've never seen done as blatantly as now. Also, Angela Gheorgiu caused considerable problems as well and we find everything in this book.

The book is providing very interesting reading and one can see what happens on "the inside" to make performances come to life at the Met. The name of the book, The Toughest Show on Earth is most apropos here. Did you acquire the book yet, Ralph? Amazon's got it for $17 and change.

[ch1525]

I just did an Interlibrary Loan request at the Jefferson Parish Library (the libraries in and around New Orleans are terrible (even "pre-Katrina")).

Maybe I will get it sometime next year!!!

[Ralph]

... what "juicy" reading I have discovered in this new book by Volpe. It arrived today. Joseph Volpe tells it like it is (at least from his experienced POV) ... I have to give the man credit, he minces no words about anybody in this book. All the Kathleen Battle story is there, her dismissal from the met. What a shame as I thought hers was one of the most extraordinary voices I've heard in a long, long time. One learns a little more about Pavarotti, and also Herbert Breslin and many others. A darn good book for a sunny afternoon on your patio (but no mint julep!) Could a law suit ever come out of the publication of a book of this nature? It is, after all, the man's personal memoirs, from carpenter to king of the Met!

*****

An aggrieved subject in anyone's memoirs could bring a libel action if he/she believed the author defamed them. Such suits are hardly uncommon. But the plaintiff would have to prove that the material was both false and of a nature that would lessen him/her in the eyes of many.

I'm sure the publisher's attorneys vetted Volpe's manuscript.

Volpe speaks kindly and reverently of Kathleen Battle's great vocal instrument. He is backed up by many who worked with her when he finally fired her from the Met. To relate actual characteristics of the bad points of one's personality—as is done in this book about Battle, specifically—I've never seen done as blatantly as now. Also, Angela Gheorgiu caused considerable problems as well and we find everything in this book.

The book is providing very interesting reading and one can see what happens on "the inside" to make performances come to life at the Met. The name of the book, The Toughest Show on Earth is most apropos here. Did you acquire the book yet, Ralph? Amazon's got it for $17 and change.

*****

I'm not that interested. There are many other books on my huge list.