I have about 8 blog postings lurking around in the frazzled corners of my muddled and over-excited brain at the moment, for which I hope to have time at some point in the not-too-distant-future to commit to cyberspace, for I most certainly don’t want to forget moments such as Sr. Helen’s spine-tingling phrase spoken before hundreds of patrons “Houston, I have been to your death chambers”, or Patrick Summers reminding us of the true definition of a star (“always present and burning bright whether we see it or not”) to describe Frederica von Stade at her farewell tribute after her final center-stage bow, or the devastating sensation of sharing her final cutoff with her on the stage and stammering to find my voice just afterwards to continue on with the show.

Yes, there are buckets of tales to share, but there is also a rather immense project waiting for me tomorrow night at the start of my recital tour here in Fort Worth, TX! Yee haw, indeed! So, not wanting to miss out on too many things, I hand it over to the best possible source, her most fabulous self, in order to help articulate in person some of the very numerous reasons that this lady is my hero. Indeed, she is a hero to the world, for she has single-handedly made this particular planet a much better place by her simple luminescent presence, and honestly, in the end, what more could we ever ask for? Please watch this and marvel at the generosity of spirit, the depth of wisdom and humility, and the simple love of life that permeates her every word. I know, I gush – I’m shameless, and I don’t care!

In the meantime, we’ve landed in Fort Worth and as you can see, the gorgeous Bass Hall (golden and center below) awaits us with its famed acoustics, and the rest of Texas, is, well – wide open and waiting! ( My accompanist is very excited to be in the area, having grown up in France watching DALLAS every Saturday Night. I love hearing him pronounce “JR” with a French accent!)