Beverly Sills Gravely Ill with Cancer

[AwakeAtLast]

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=267268>1=7702

NEW YORK -- Beverly Sills, the opera diva who won over fans worldwide with her sparkling voice and charming personality and later became a powerhouse in the New York arts world, is gravely ill with cancer, The Associated Press has learned.

Sills, 78, was chairwoman of the Metropolitan Opera until she resigned two years ago, citing health and family reasons. She remains the Met's chairwoman emerita.

The Met would neither confirm nor deny news of her illness, but people close to the situation said Sills was at a Manhattan hospital, with her daughter at her side.



:cry: :cry: :cry:

I was a Voice Ed. Major in College, so I have always listened to her recordings. I've sung some of the same pieces for which she is well known. I am sad to hear of her illness.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Heidi]

1. I find this very sad. Ms. Sills is a class act.

:cry:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. I was just thinking about her the other day - it's weird

Very sorry to hear this news.

[SeattleGirl]

3. I read this earlier today. Made me sad.

She is an amazing singer. It's only been within the past few years that I've listened to (and gone to) more operas, but for as long as I can remember, I have listened to Ms. Sills, and been captivated by her voice.

If her time to go is soon, I hope it is a peaceful passing.

:cry:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

4. OMFG!!!! I heard her sing 3 times!

I saw her in Daughter of the Regiment at Houston Grand Opera in 1973.

I saw her in La Traviata in San Antonio in 1973.

I saw her in Lucia di Lammermoor in Houston in 1974.

:cry: :cry: :grouphug:

What a unique voice and a kind, wonderful woman. She had the burden of two disabled children that would have crushed many of us.

I have a complete recording of her doing Violetta. I am not a big fan of coloraturas, but she had a lightness to her voice and a small amount of vibrato that made her delightful to listen to.

(BTW, I'm a mezzo.....)

Miss Estelle is waiting for her in Heaven, no doubt.

[SeattleGirl]

7. I didn't know that about her kids.

Wow, she is even more special than I realized.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

8. She married a Boston Brahmin named Peter Greenough.

I believe he died not too many years ago.

They had a son who was so profoundly retarded that he had to be institutionalized at a very young age.

She has a daughter who is of normal intelligence, except that she is deaf and cannot hear her mother sing.

She has said that singing took her mind off her problems.

[barb162]

20. I knew about the daughter's deafness, but not the son.

She had real problems. I wonder what is happening with the kids now.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. Self delete, dupe.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[barb162]

19. What an amazing voice. What a personality. I love that woman.

She was so at ease on the stage, just incredible.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. Oh no...

:cry::cry::cry:

She's a great lady...So gracious and compassionate. This is such sad news.

[Bryn]

6. Silver Bell

Beverly Sills = Silver Bell (her name consists "Silver Bell" within) Just thought you'd like to know this. I read a book by Linda Goodman years ago when she invented "lexgram"

[REP]

11. "Silvery Bell" is a True Anagram of "Beverly Sills"

I've alwasy liked her and her voice, and I wish her the best.

[Vidar]

10. She's a great lady. I'm sorry she's suffering.

[xchrom]

12. a true Diva.

may Peace and Goodness be with her and her family at this time.

[barb162]

21. Yes,

I am just about heartbroken thinking about it.

[lost-in-nj]

13. She always held her self

with grace and dignity....
her voice was a true gift....
My mom listened to her all the time and we would listen to the opera on the
radio on Saturdays.... hoping she would be on....

very sad




lost

[Aristus]

14. I was a big fan of Beverly Sills growing up. My mother, also an operatic soprano

introduced me to some of her recordings. I remember being amazed that opera could be sung in English! B-)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

15. I saw her sing Marie in Daughter of the Regiment in English.

She came out in one scene and the regimental commander asked, "What's the score, Marie?"
Marie said, "Nothing to nothing in the second quarter."

And everybody laughed. It was Super Bowl Sunday 1973.

[steelemagnolia]

16. How very, very sad

I remember watching "Sills and Burnett at the Met" years ago. She is such a lady of grace. I pray she does not suffer. She will leave us with a rich body of beautiful music. What a voice! Very sad....

[libnnc]

17. An icon from my childhood

How very, very sad. I loved to watch her sing with Carol Burnett.

[UTUSN]

18. K&R #1 for I'm sure Lennie played background for her at one time or another, so here's LOVE!!1