How Do We Mourn Beverly Sills?

Beverly Sills passed away on Monday July 2 and it cast a pall on the upcoming Independence Day holiday. She was 78 years young. For many, it was a shock and a bittersweet loss. She was one of those few people who you could envision whenever you heard her name. As the glittery thunder exploded over the East River on July 4th, some believed it was also an appropriate sendoff for a woman whose story makes New York such a spectacular city. There’s no better way to mourn the loss of a person who ignited the world of classical music and opera with explosive bravura for a lifetime.

A consummate New Yorker, Beverly Sills was born and raised in Brooklyn. Her public singing career began in 1933 when, at the wee age of 4, her promising soprano voice was heard over a New York City radio show. With her rare voice, Sills was one of those rare opera singers that embodied the spirit and strength of New York City. Perhaps the only other classical musician that also epitomized New York was Leonard Bernstein.

In her early 20’s, Sills became an instant success at the relatively young New York City Opera (NYCO). Though opera enthusiasts snubbed NYCO as the upstart that couldn’t compare to New York’s pedigree Metropolitan Opera, Beverly Sills was one of the key figures that helped boost NYCO’s reputation. NYCO celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2005. Sills sang at NYCO from 1955 to 1980, for over 25 years.

Though she left its stage, Sills went on to become the General Director of NYCO from 1980 to 1988. In 1994 she was elected chairperson of Lincoln Center and, in 2002, chaired the Metropolitan Opera.

She was a regular visitor to our homes as a frequent host of Live from Lincoln Center specials broadcast over PBS television.

For as long as I can remember, Beverly Sills was the New York City opera star and admired classical music spokesperson. She appeared on TV as a performer and as a host. She was a New York neighbor. It was no wonder that, on that cool sunny, summer day, as people heard of her death, everyone seemed saddened at the loss of a fellow New Yorker who was more than friend and neighbor. She will be missed but her legacy remains in opera recordings and videos.

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