End of July 2007 - CONGO

After the death of Tullio at 12 years of age (80-something in dog-years, but we wish he'd have lasted longer..) , I had planned a trip to the Congo with Jan, Paul Kerstens and Fabrizio Cassol.   I gave Masterclasses this time.

Again we stayed at the Belgian consulate, and hung out with Benoit and Bernard.  It was a great trip - we met up with friends,  saw some new faces (mainly musicians) and attended a concert by some aspiring classical singers and a chorus "Les Enchanteurs."  

We got together with some groups who might be taking part in the grand opening of Jan's theater in Brussels.  So Fabrizio and I were working with the groups to get them in shape for the opening.   Exciting!    Here is a picture of Choeur La Grace, one of the groups:

Here I am with our friend Starlett -

And here we are with Stanley's boat!   

July 2007 - Recordings, Tullio the Wonderdog

LONDON - The death of Tullio the wonderdog

I finally went back to re-record the Allessandro nell'Indie by Giacomo Meyerbeer, and stayed on to record "La Cour de Célimène" a piece by Ambroise Thomas.  I'm getting to be a Thomas expert nowadays, it seems. Both of them were rocky, as I was not in the best voice.   

Towards the end of the first re-recording (Meyerbeer), I got a phone call from my sister in California.  My dog, Tullio was in heart failure at the dog hospital, but looked like he might stabilize this night, but that she would have to put him to sleep the next day, most likely, as he might be in pain.   I was desperate to be with him when he left this world, and tried to figure out a way I could get to California...  But Lisa called me back the next day and told me he had, prudent as ever, left this world of his own accord that very morning she was supposed to go in to the veterinary hospital, before she could even get there.  I was beside myself with grief.   I miss my dog so much, and I wasn't even able to be with him when he died.  It still tears at my heart.  He was the best dog.  Ever.  Rest in Peace, Tullio.  I loved you so.   We all did.   This is one of the last pictures Lisa took of him.