Sopranos, Mezzos, Tenors, Bassos, and Other Friends [antikvár]

PrologueIn which I offer the background of this book, introduce James Radiches, tell a story about Callas, and dedicate the texts, with affection, to my friends Vat and Bill and Peterhe genesis of this opus goes back to a sweltering September evening in 1984, when my wife and I were lolling on a seventy-foot sailing yacht moving slovifly over the oily swells of the Hudson River. We were supposed to be under canvas; with no wind we were moving at a leisurely pace on engine power.Our group was a lively one, assembled by Pat and Bill Buckleyhe founder of National Review, columnist, lecturer, novelist, and a recognized authority on ocean sailing, and she one of New York's most elegant hostesses. With their unerring instinct for picking company, our fellow passengers included editors, a thoughtful television commentator, several authors, two university deans, a diplomat, an international banker, a performing musician, and a soprano. The food was delicious, the wine perfecta summer night's delight.During part of the voyage, the soprano pressed me on some matter to do with the Metropolitan Opera where, from 1972 until 1975, I was general manager, and actually the