Join Sharon Rich in NYC August 10 at musical event!
I will be at the August 10 performance of “The Diva and the Baritone” at 7 pm. (See below for details.) Hallie and Ted are singing, will include Jeanette and Nelson in the show and also give me a shout-out. I’ve been asked to bring some books along for signing, so if you will be in New York City next week and want to join me, please do! (In fact, if you make a reservation, please email me and let me know so we can arrange to sit together.) Their show is wonderful and last time they performed it several people approached me afterwards who had a personal Jeanette or Nelson connection. In fact, the father of their accompanist is a well-known actor and a huge Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy fan. You never know what interesting people you will meet at a show like this…and of course, the music is beautifully sung. See you there!
August 17, 2012 @ 2:31 pm
Update: here’s an excerpt from a review of this show by Nino Pantano. I understand it is being published in Opera Broadcast, the Brooklyn Eagle and the Italian Voice.
“….A tribute to Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald followed with ”Wanting
You” from Sigmund Romberg’s New Moon.( MGM Film, 1940) Ms. Neill then
introduced author Sharon Rich in the audience, who wrote the book
Sweethearts (Bell Harbour Press) upon which Ms. Neill’s hit show, A
Scandalous Affair was based.
“Mr. Lambrinos sang a deeply touching “This Nearly was Mine” from South
Pacific evoking the memory of the great opera basso Ezio Pinza, the first Emile
de Becque. Lambrinos sang a medley including one Greek song and a spirited Russian song.
Hallie Neill followed with a tantalizing Piaf selection “La Vie en Rose.” Her
beautiful voice retains all of its vocal sparkle and allure. Their exquisite
blending brought new magic to an old chestnut with a ravishing “Amapola.”
Who could resist the” O Sole Mio” or “Arrivederci Roma” that followed?
Frank Sinatra hits “Come Fly with Me” and “ New York, New York” made for a
fabulous finale and when the ovations stopped, an unforgettable “Encore”
was “I Remember it Well” from Gigi with humor and a poignancy that was
touching. It recalled the late great Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold.
The Neill-Lambrinos stage chemistry is sheer magic and their personal warmth
captivating….
“When my wife Judy and I were dating, we went to see Nelson Eddy and Gale
Sherwood at the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They too had
vocal splendor and casual humor which provided an evening of nostalgia and
enchantment. We were transformed by this evening’s show to that young
couple we were back in 1965.
“The Diva and the Baritone” evoked the memories of the days when cabarets
offered such delicious delights to an audience in an intimate setting. We thank
the multi-talented Hallie Neill and Theodore Lambrinos for holding that banner
so beautifully.”