A Heavenly Audience
Final Days of Comfort and Joy
Around the mid-1990’s Bill became ill and many of his friends sought to help him.
Frances, Bill’s sister in Florida, made many trips to Chicago to help him at that time.
In January 2001, Bill came to reside at Glen Oaks Nursing Home in Northbrook,
Illinois. Herb Yanover, another resident, told him about a church that was picking up
residents for Sunday services. So it happened that in January 2002, Bill first came to
North Suburban Evangelical Free Church in Deerfield, Illinois. I (the author) was one of
the leaders in the church’s nursing home ministry and picked Bill up in my car that day.
It was our first meeting and we hit it off right away. I noticed he was very bright and
personable. Later on, Bill would talk about the significance of that first Sunday at our
church.
Bill told me he was an opera singer and wanted to sing in our choir. The next
Wednesday I picked him up for choir practice and then again early Sunday morning to
prepare to sing for the service, and this continued as long as he was in the choir. He
relished being able to sing again. One day, he remarked to the group that this was the
best “volunteer” choir he had ever heard. He had been paid to sing in choirs all his life!
In addition to practicing the music at rehearsals, we often broke up into small groups to
share our lives and pray for one another. Bill really savored these times and became
close to the men in his group. He shared with them about his illness and they prayed for
him.
I remember that Good Friday was a significant day for him. One of our choir
anthems included the words, “Like a rose, trampled on the ground; He took the fall and
thought of me, above all.” Bill arrived that night to see a huge cross posted starkly in the
middle of the auditorium. Haphazardly strewn on the floor lay hundreds of red roses.
Bill broke into tears at the poignant sight.
I enjoyed the time with Bill in the car to and from choir practice. He told
hundreds of fascinating stories about his career and all the interesting and famous people
he had met. Sometimes I asked him to sing for me. I could tell he had been a
professional opera singer because he could sing many of the well-known opera solos by
heart, such as “The Toreador Song” or arias from Elijah and the Messiah. But his voice
didn’t strike me as exceptional. His health problems had depleted his breath support and
his vocal tone wasn’t very pleasing. He still manifested elements of creative expression,
however,
But the time came when I recognized what a master he was. At one of our special
luncheons for the nursing home residents, we asked Bill to sing. He was too weak to
stand so he sang from his dining chair. Kristen, the four-year-old daughter of Charlie
Cardella, one of our leaders, was sitting next to him. Bill started to sing, “Somewhere
Over the Rainbow,” expressly for his new little friend. The whole room became hushed.
As Bill sang to Kristen, his facial expressions and hand gestures combined to dramatize
the lyrics in a fantastical way. Kristen was mesmerized by the performance and the rest
- 128 -
of us were spell-bound as well. As I witnessed the magic of Bill’s rendition, I suddenly
realized why he had been such a great performer. Although he no longer had a voice, he
hadn’t lost his dramatic flare.
I was yet to hear what an amazing voice Bill had at his performance peak. One
day, Bill told me about three CD’s on which his voice was recorded, giving me the exact
titles and labels. I drove directly to Borders and found them up on their store computer,
but alas, they were out of print. The store attempted to locate copies, but was
unsuccessful. Then I got online to Amazon.com. A couple of his CD’s were in their
listings and even included sound clips! On first hearing those few notes of Bill’s voice, I
nearly fell off my chair. His voice was so amazing – mellow, expressive, full! Excitedly,
I called Bill and played the sound clips from my computer into the phone. He was so
touched to hear himself again. Eventually, I was able to locate all three CD’s.
I had always believed Bill when he told me he was an opera singer. But in the state
of his illness, there were many who felt he was just being grandiose. I longed for them to
believe in Bill, too. So I handed out copies of Bill’s solos to everyone, so they could hear
how he really sounded in his prime. It was no longer just a story he told. Along with the
CD, I enclosed a brief story of his life. This short biography was the start of this longer
memoir, because I had begun to jot down all the details he was telling me about his life.
One day while searching for his name on a library database, I located a fourth CD
featuring Bill – a recording by the William Ferris Chorale of Hymn to the Earth on which
Bill sang the solo, “When Winter Is Here.” He probably wasn’t aware that this live
concert had been recorded. The first time I listened to the CD, my heart melted. Not
only was his voice utterly beautiful with its mellow timbre, but plaintive emotion exuded
from each note! He communicated the sheer barrenness of winter juxtaposed with the
magnificence of the glowing sunset followed by the bright stars on the glistening snow.
It was a masterpiece! I played the CD for Bill the next time I saw him, and he started to
weep uncontrollably. I perceived that he was moved by the beauty he had been able to
create, but also grieved that he could no longer produce such beauty. His precious gift
was now lost to him.
Often I would take Bill to the nearby Chicago Botanic Garden. It must have been
his favorite place at this point in his life. He loved the beauty of nature, the lovely,
fragrant roses, the geese that “mate for life,” the elegant trumpeter swans, the cute little
squirrels scurrying into the bushes. Bill walked very slowly due to his health problems
and I would tend to get ahead of him. He would then offer his arm and we’d promenade
together. He would often sing laughingly, “While strolling through the park one day, in
the merry, merry month of May; I was taken by surprise, by a pair of roguish eyes, in a
moment my poor heart was stole away,” and then remark that he learned the song from
his dear grandmother.
Often when we strolled, he would quote Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord
hath made; let us rejoice and be glad therein.” I felt it became his life verse. I believe it
was reminiscent of a song he sang at Carolyn Collins’ wedding and also used to sing with
- 129 -
- 130 -
Eileen Berman, written by one of his favorite composers, Henry Purcell, “Sound the
trumpet till around you make the listening shores resound. On the sprightly hautboy play,
and with all the instruments of joy, that skillful numbers can employ, to celebrate the
glories of this day.”
Bill had told me that Elijah was one of his favorite roles and he often sang “It Is
Enough” from the oratorio for his auditions. When I heard it was being performed at the
beautiful Techny Chapel, my husband and I decided to take Bill along. What I had hoped
would be a marvelous occasion turned out instead to be a painful experience. He had not
attended a concert in many years, and suddenly confronted with the performance
atmosphere must have brought him deep heartache. He longed to be up on the stage
singing again! He asked to leave at the intermission because he was so upset, but a
fellow bass from our church choir, Mike Lopata, came alongside him and they chatted at
length about Bill’s career and the times he had performed this work. This soothed Bill’s
emotions, and he was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the program. When the mezzo
started singing, “O Rest in the Lord,” Bill leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You
could sing that!”
I thought about Bill’s words for a few days and then it dawned on me that I could
ask Bill to give me voice lessons! So for the next ten months until Bill passed away, I
was privileged to be taught by this great artist. I hadn’t had voice lessons since college
days, and I valued his instruction tremendously. Bill taught me so much about diction,
interpretation, musicality, breath support, tone quality, and so much more. But what
meant more than anything was the confidence he inspired in me. He kept telling me how
well I was doing and would say, “Stop looking at yourself! You’ve got to look up! Look
up to Jesus!” It was a tremendous boost to have such a brilliant star tell me that I sang
well. The first piece we worked on was that Elijah solo, “O Rest in the Lord.” After
several months when Bill was finally pleased with my rendition, he got up from his chair
beaming and gave me a huge hug!
During this time, our friendship deepened. He would tell me, “I love you like a
sister,” and we would clasp hands and pray together after each lesson. I cherished my
friendship with Bill and I believe the feeling was mutual. I cared for him so much and
tried to look after him and provide the things he needed. To keep him occupied when he
didn’t feel well, I brought him video recordings of operas and concerts as well as
classical CD recordings. After each voice lesson, we’d drive by Dunkin’ Donuts so he
could get his favorite Coffee Coolatta. Often I’d bring him chocolates or other treats
which weren’t available in the home. I picked up clothes or toiletries he needed,
although Frances, his sister, sent him clothing frequently as well.
- 131 -
Written by Bill to the author on November 7, 2004.
“Special friends” is a pun referring to the name of the church’s nursing home ministry.
“142” and the music notation denotes the number of repeats of a measure.
Bill had several opportunities to sing at our church and also in the day program he
attended through the nursing home. He sang a moving “Summertime” by Gershwin for
our July 2004 picnic for the nursing home residents. And at the nursing home Christmas
party, a month before he died, he sang “O Holy Night.” For several Sunday evening
Hymn Sings at our church he gave delightful renditions which were loved by the
congregation. First, he sang his own jazzed-up version of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
Another time he sang, “The Trumpet Shall Sound” from Handel on which I accompanied
him.
But I became exasperated playing for him the time we worked on Malotte’s “The
Lord’s Prayer.” When I brought him to the church to practice, he was satisfied to only
run through it once. But when we went through it before performing it Sunday, he
suddenly told me he wanted to take the last phrases in a much faster tempo. I hadn’t
prepared to play it that fast and it is quite a difficult piece with chorded triplets in the
right hand and rapid octave jumps in the left. I told him I didn’t think I could do it at
such short notice, and he simply retorted, “Take some notes out!” I muttered under my
breath, “That’s easy for you to say!” So while he was eating a hamburger I had picked
up for him, I desperately crossed out notes, whittling them down to something I could
perform at the last minute. Surprisingly, the performance went well, and while the
congregation clapped, he came towards me and clasped my hand, telling everyone how
hard I had worked on this accompaniment and that I had studied piano from the age of
twelve. Who couldn’t forgive someone like that, who would defer the attention from
himself to his humble accompanist!
- 132 -
Bill and Eleay Warrington (the author) at the church picnic for
nursing home residents in August 2004.
- 133 -
At church Christmas party, 2003.
November 2004
Bill and Eleay at Chicago Botanic Garden in August 2004
- 134 -
Bill’s 59th birthday party at the Warrington home, November 27, 2004.
(L to R) Bill, Dave Shetsky (church volunteer), Eleay, Janet Hirsh and Carolyn Collins.
Photos taken by Jim Warrington.
- 135 -
When Bill’s 59th birthday was approaching in November 2004, we decided to
throw him a party. Bill gave me the names of old friends he hadn’t seen for years,
reciting their phone numbers by heart. The only ones able to come that day were Janet
Hirsh and Carolyn Collins. Bill was estatic at seeing these two dear friends after so many
years, as they were to see him. I had prepared his favorite foods and when we lit the
candles on his cake, we all sang, “You’re the Top” (Cole Porter). Bill beamed with
delight and exhibited silly facial antics to all the words. The song had many verses and
by the time we were done, the candles had melted into the cake! It was such a joyful
time. Little did any of us realize that Bill would leave us in just a month.
A New Man
I believe the most significant event of Bill’s life occurred during these last few
years. It was when he came to an authentic personal relationship with God which started
the first day he attended our church. As Bill shared later at his baptism, “It was January
2002 when I first came to North Suburban. It was awesome. The contemporary
Christian songs were unfamiliar to me, but moved me deeply to sobbing tears. For the
first time in my life, the words I was singing took on meaning. I listened attentively to
Pastor Marty’s message. I was just blown away.
“When I returned to Glen Oaks, I attempted to eat my lunch while sitting in the
day room, sobbing. Many people whom I hardly knew asked me what was wrong and I
brushed them off, saying, ‘Nothing—it’s okay.’
“At the time, I didn’t realize what was happening. As I continued to attend the
church, read the Bible, and sing in the choir, I realized that Jesus had really taken me
over. He loved me and had forgiven all my sins. I had new hope. As it says in Titus 3,
‘Then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us not because of the
good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a
new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of
what Jesus Christ our Savior did. He declared us not guilty because of His great kindness
and now we know that we will inherit eternal life’” (New Living Translation).
Bill had discovered that he couldn’t come to God on the basis of anything good he
had done in his life. It had to be on God’s terms, which was accepting the provision God
had made to take away our sins through His Son’s death on the cross. And Bill embraced
all this as wonderful news to his soul, without a question or an argument, as a thirsty man
coming to a spring of flowing water. From that moment on, he experienced a marvelous
joy and peace. The presence of God’s Spirit in his life carried him through his last trying
days. He confided to me at the time that in his former height of stardom, he would often
come home from the high of a performance, only to feel down, depressed, wondering if it
was worth it all. Later at Bible Study Fellowship, he was posed the question, “Can you
tell how you have been personally taught by Jesus?” and he answered, “I am a new man.
My former activity of success/depression no longer exists.”
- 136 -
Marty Voltz, Pastor of North Suburban Church,
shared his perspective on Bill’s faith in God, “I first met
Bill myself about three years ago and I watched him as
he grew in his faith. I used to love to have Bill come to
the office and ask great questions and he did. We talked
much of the things of Christ. Initially, Bill came to God
as I think we all do, out of need. He needed a touch of
God’s healing in his life. He needed forgiveness. He
needed a new life. He needed an assurance that he was
loved by his Maker. And Bill found all that and more.
He came to know the meaning of grace, undeserved
merit. He discovered a forgiveness beyond anything
he’d ever imagined. And he found a God who was
intensely personal and dependable.”
Bill had a voracious appetite to learn all he could
about God and his new faith, and he would read the
Bible late into the night. He attended classes on
“Foundations of the Faith” taught by Charlie Cardella
and the Wednesday night Bible study at the nursing
home led by Dave Shetsky and Chuck McLennan. He
joined the Bible Study Fellowship, a larger men’s study
group, with the encouragement and assistance of Bill
Taki and Dave Severson. Daryle Lambert took him to a
Saturday men’s group at the church. He also viewed the
movie Passion of the Christ and was so grieved to see
how Jesus had suffered for him. In June 2004, Bill
asked to be anointed with oil in a healing prayer service
by the elders of the church. That summer, he also
attended membership classes and became an official
member of our church
Just as Bill was growing in his faith, he was
confronted with a new health challenge. In the spring of
2003, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, stage IV,
and subsequently underwent surgery to remove his
bladder in October, followed by a regimen of weekly
chemo treatments. During this time, his faith grew by
leaps and bounds, and he began to speak of Jesus as
- 137 -
his intimate friend. He spoke of sensing the hand of Jesus upon him during his night
hours of pain. In the day program he attended, he stood up before the whole group and
announced his fight with cancer, exclaiming, “I have nothing to fear. I have Jesus by my
side. And I know that whatever happens, heaven is going to be glorious.”
Bill requested to be baptized as a public expression of his newfound faith. He
desired to make his story known as well as sing a song chosen for the occasion, “At the
River,” from Old American Songs, Set 2, arranged by Aaron Copland (which he had sung
live on the radio, WFMT, in December 1991). The date arrived, Sunday evening,
February 22, 2004. Bill was so excited for this moment. Standing in the baptismal pool
with Pastor Marty and Elder Dennis Sheehan, he read the testimony of his life he had
prepared. Following the moving rendition of the song about heaven, he was taken aback
by the standing ovation that ensued. Then Pastor Marty prepared for the baptism,
“William Diana, upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and in
obedience to His command, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit.” Then followed his immersion into the chest-deep water, followed by a
gasp because he seemed to have water phobia and didn’t know how to swim! But he
emerged with a gleam of exhilaration on his face. For the rest of his days, he shared with
everyone about this high point of his life.
Pastor Marty Voltz prays before baptizing Bill on February 22, 2004,
at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church, Deerfield, Illinois.
- 138 -
The Journey Home
But the day we all had dreaded finally came. Late at night on December 20, 2004,
Bill was taken by ambulance to Methodist Hospital in Chicago. For the four days
previous, he had been unable to get out of bed. The initial diagnosis was a bowel
obstruction, then a chemical imbalance of salts. Eventually, he came down with
pneumonia as well.
I visited Bill as often as I could. Each day we called his sister by phone so he
could talk to her. He had difficulty speaking because of the oxygen mask, but he made
the effort to express to me, “I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me in the
last three years.” The next day when I came to see him, he exclaimed, “Jesus is here with
me at my bedside!” I had been praying that Bill would sense Jesus with him because he
seemed so alone in the hospital.
I was in denial and did not believe these were his last days. In the past months, he
had been getting healthier and his cancer seemed to be in remission. And the first few
days in the hospital, he seemed to be getting better and the nurse remarked he might be
released the following week.
He spent Christmas in the hospital on tubes, unable to eat any Christmas dinner.
On Sunday, December 26, when I phoned him, I became alarmed because his speaking
was incoherent. At the close of the call, unable to make sense of what he was saying, I
just repeated several times, “I love you, Bill! I love you, Bill!” Before he hung up, he
whispered, “Ciao, Bambino! Ciao, Bella!” I burst into tears. Little did I know those
would be his last words to me.
The next day, Monday, December 27, when my husband and I went to visit Bill,
he could no longer communicate. He was mumbling nonsense words. When he turned
toward us, he looked right through us as if he didn’t recognize us. He stared out the
window. When the doctor came in, we got Frances on the phone so that he could talk to
her. The doctor then told us all for the first time that most likely Bill would not make it
through this crisis. They were unable to reverse his chemical imbalance. He was too
weak for further testing or treatment. Frances booked a plane immediately. That night
we called everyone we could think of who knew Bill.
The next morning on Tuesday, December 28, 2004, I made plans to go early to be
with Bill, thinking that Frances and I and others would be holding vigil by his bedside. I
called the hospital shortly after 7:00 a.m. to tell the nurse I would be coming before
visitors’ hours. She said rather coldly, “William Diana has expired.”
“NO!!” my heart screamed. How could God let him die alone! Then my heart
clung tightly to his words a few days before, “Jesus is with me by my bedside.” No, Bill
HADN’T been alone. Jesus had been with him! I was comforted by that assurance. I
then rushed to the hospital to pay last respects to my dear friend, where I prayed over his
body, committed his spirit to his Father, quoted Psalm 23, held his hand and kissed his
cheek for the last time.
- 139 -
When Frances arrived later that day, my husband and I assisted her in the
preparations for Bill’s memorial service to be held at our church on Thursday,
December 30.
The memorial service at North Suburban Church was attended by about a hundred
people. After Frances and I shared memories, Eileen Berman sang “Bist du bei Mir” and
“The Lord’s Prayer,” accompanied by John Cina on the pipe organ. Eileen and John had
performed with Bill as part of the Berman-Diana Vocal Duo for so many years.
Pastor Marty Voltz shared in his message, “I only wish to point out that the last
few years of Bill’s life here on earth, difficult as they were in so many ways, were also
his most peaceful years. Earlier this evening, Eleay Warrington shared with us the strong
confidence that Bill had at the end that Jesus was right with him in the hospital room.
Now we all know that Bill loved an audience. But I submit to you that the presence of
his God and Savior with him in the hospital room meant more to him than the grandest
audiences he’d ever performed for. Why do I say that? Because in the hour of death,
each of us must be ready for a personal audience with our Maker and our Savior. And
Bill was ready. He was ready for his audience with God. By placing his faith in Jesus as
the Son of God who came into the world to forgive his sins and grant him the gift of
eternal life, Bill had prepared himself for the finest moment of this life and for his
entrance into eternal life, life beyond the grave.
“I believe the words of the Psalmist recorded in Psalm 16 are an apt description of
Bill’s heart and mind in his last hours. The Psalmist wrote, ‘I have set the Lord always
before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is
glad and my tongue rejoices.’ Can’t you hear Bill rejoicing? ‘My body also will rest
secure because You have not abandoned me to the grave. You have made known to me
the path of life. One day you will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal
pleasures at Your right hand.’
“Yes, the last years of Bill’s life were difficult, difficult years, but they were also
full of grace because it was in these years that Bill discovered forgiveness, grace, peace
with God. You think Bill’s musical gift was great? The gift of grace was much greater
and Bill found it. If the early years prepared Bill for success in this life, the latter years
prepared him for success in the life to come!”
Frances Schuster, Bill’s sister, also gave a fitting eulogy and ended with this
glorious vision of her brother, “The only thing I can say about Bill is he was always a
take-charge person and I can only envision since he accepted the Lord into his heart, that
while we’re sitting here Bill is up there and he is orchestrating a performance because he
certainly would not sit back and wait to be invited. And the other thing I can envision is
my mother and father are in the audience listening to him. Because he’s no longer just my
brother Bill. He was a magnificent and very talented and wonderful performer and I’m
going to miss him with all my heart and soul.”
Ciao, Bello!
- 140 -
If you would like a video or DVD copy of Bill’s beautiful memorial service, also
including his baptism, please e-mail Respond@WilliamDiana.com or
ewarrington@earthlink.net or write the author:
Eleanor Warrington, 18 E. Old Willow, #103, Prospect Heights, IL 60070.
I would be happy to correspond with you about my friend, Bill.
If you have any difficulty reaching me at the above contacts, please ask the Michigan
City Public Library for further information about how to reach me.
- 141 -
OBITUARIES
Both obituaries appeared in
The Chicago Tribune.
- 142 -
This obituary appeared in
several of the area
Pioneer Press papers.
- 143 -
- 144 -
- 145 -
- 146 -
- 147 -
MEMORIAL PRESENTATION
The William Diana Memorial Collection was formally presented to the Michigan City
Public Library on Sunday, February 12, 2006.
Left to right: Robert Diana (brother), Don Glossinger, Director of the Library;
Frances (sister) and Larry Schuster. (Photo by Marc A. Rose)
Performers left to right: John Cina, Eileen Berman, Richard Hirsh, Eleanor Warrington,
Marc Rose, Sharon Sherrard, Carolyn Collins. (Kurt Messer not shown)
- 148 -
- 149 -
- 150 -
- 151 -
This article appeared in
the Michigan City
News-Dispatch on February 11, 2006.
From The Beacher
on February 2, 2006.
- 152 -
BIOBLIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES
These initials appear in the text and in the Performance List table referencing sources of
information.
AC
ACM
AS
BAL
BK
Cath.
CC
CG
CR
CSO
CT
DB
DK
DST
EB
FDS
GT
HA
IMF
JC
JSH
KT
LGR
LM
LOW
MAR
MB
MJ
MU
ND
RAD
RC
RF
RH
RO
RSO
SBM
Apollo Chorus
American Conservatory of Music (President Theodora Schulze and Registrar Dr.
Mary Ellen Moravec-Newsom)
Alan Stone, founder of Chicago Opera Theater
Blanche Artis Lewis, Bill’s agent with Ovation! Management
Ben Knudson, chorister and Board Member of Apollo Chorus
Chicago Catholic Publications (a newspaper)
Carolyn Collins, long-time friend
Cynthia Guido, friend and colleague in the Apollo Chorus
Dr. Carl Ratner, colleague
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Tribune
Dan Balestrero, vocal coach
Dieter Kober, Conductor of Chicago Chamber Orchestra
Dunes Summer Theater, Michigan City, Indiana
Eileen Berman, friend and partner in Berman-Diana Vocal Duo
Frances Diana Schuster, Bill’s sister
George Tenegal, friend and accompanist
Honolulu Advertiser
International Music Foundation, Chicago (Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts)
John Cina, friend and accompanist
Janet Stow Hirsh, long-time friend and musical colleague
Kathy Tiffin, friend and colleague in the Apollo Chorus
Lois Glover Robertson, long-time friend and musical colleague
Lee Meyer, colleague, accompanist
Light Opera Works
Marc A. Rose, classmate and lifelong friend of Bill from Michigan City
Music of the Baroque
The Milwaukee Journal
Mary Utley, former music writer with South Bend Tribune
The News-Dispatch, Michigan City
Robert A. Diana, Bill’s brother
Rockefeller Chapel Choir
Ravinia Festival
Robert Heinrikson, colleague
Robert Orth, colleague
Rockford Symphony Orchestra
Sarah Bryan Miller, friend, colleague, music critic for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- 153 -
SLPD
SS
ST
TW
UC
WED
WFC
WFMT
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sharon Sherrard, friend, colleague
Chicago Sun-Times
Thomas Wikman, Choirmaster of the Church of the Ascension
University of Chicago
Walter E. DeWald, classmate from Elston High School, Michigan City, IN
William Ferris Chorale
Radio station in Chicago, 98.7
Thanks to Jennifer Girard Photography for permission to print her beautiful publicity
photos of Bill Diana featured on Cover and pages 88, 89, 90, 103a, 104, 105, 107.
Jennifer Girard Photography
1455 W. Roscoe
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 929-3730 info@jennifergirard.com
- 154 -
AVAILABLE RECORDINGS
William Diana can be heard on the following published recordings:
(Also see pages 120-124 of this biography.)
Requiem Mass, K. 626, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Slovakia Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Paul Freeman
With Ursula Mann, soprano; Sandra Graham, alto; Jason Ball, tenor, and
William Diana, bass-baritone.
Label: Pro Arte #3462, 1993.
Lord Nelson Mass in D Minor, H. 22/11, by Franz Josef Haydn.
Slovakia Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Paul Freeman
With Ursula Mann, soprano; Sandra Graham, alto; Jason Ball, tenor, and
William Diana, bass-baritone.
Label: Pro Arte #3461, 1993.
Lelio: The Return to Life, by Louis-Hector Berlioz
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Zdenek Macal, conductor; Margaret Hawkins, choral director.
Label: Koss Classics, KC-1017, 1994
This is also released as part of a 2-CD set with Symphonie Fantastique.
Label KC-1012
The above CD’s are out of print, but were obtained by the author on Amazon.com.
Hymn to the Earth by Edward Collins
William Ferris Chorale; William Ferris, director.
Recorded live, June 2, 1989, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Chicago.
Mr. Diana has one solo on the CD, “When Winter Is Here.”
Label: WFC 20289, WFC Live
This CD may be obtained with a $20 donation to the church at (773) 325-2000 or
from the website www.mt-carmel.org.
Messiah, with the Apollo Chorus, Thomas E. Hoekstra, conductor. December 1992.
The Apollo Chorus granted permission to transfer an original taped performance
to CD for this library collection, which was kindly done by Ben Knudson,
chorister and Board Member of the Chorus. Gail Beckman, soprano; Kathleen
Sonnentag, alto; Calland Metts, tenor; and William Diana, bass.
- 155 -
Radio Programs
“American Songs Live,” from Barber, Rorem, and Copland, an hour-long concert on
WFMT, December, 1991, with William Diana, baritone, and Judith Jackson, pianist.
This can be purchased by sending $25.00 to Donald Mueller, WFMT, 5400 N. St. Louis
Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. Specify “William Diana United Airlines Live Dubbing.”
Dame Myra Hess Concert, July 24, 1991, a broadcast over WFMT, with Mr. Diana
accompanied by Michael Cullen. This concert was recorded at home by Carolyn Collins
who has contributed her tape which has been transferred to CD.
Opera Recordings
Madama Butterfly, by Puccini, performed by the Rockford Symphony Orchestra on
March 13, 1993, where Mr. Diana played the role of Sharpless.
Marriage of Figaro, Act II, by Mozart, performed by the Rockford Symphony Orchestra
on November 23, 1991, where Mr. Diana played the role of Count Almaviva.
The Rockford Symphony Orchestra has given permission for the author to transfer these
professional audio recordings from original cassettes to CD for the archives at the
Michigan City Public Library.
Adios a la Bohemia by Pablo Sorozabal performed by The Opera Factory in 1990.
William Diana as Ramon; Donna Sadlicka as Trini. This was a 4th generation
video presented by the director of The Opera Factory, Blanche Artis Lewis, for
this collection. It has been transferred to DVD. Also on the recording is a short
concert of zarzuela songs.
Iolanthe by Gilbert and Sullivan performed by Light Opera Works in 1993.
Light Opera Works presented the DVD for this library collection. It was recorded
by a volunteer, Dr. John McMahon. Mr. Diana played the Earl of Mountararat.
Berman-Diana Vocal Duo
Eileen Berman contributed cassette recordings for six concerts of the Duo, recorded from
the audience by her husband. Permission has been granted by all the participants for
inclusion in the library collection, with one exception. Sound quality is not optimal.
Autumn Nocturne, November 8, 1980, with Chicago Chamber Orchestra
A St. Valentine’s Day Concert, February 13, 1987, for Cliffdwellers
Chicago Opera Theater Gala, March 10, 1987, at the Newberry Library, with other
soloists
A Game of Chance, short operetta by Seymour Barab, April 20, 1987
Opera Duets and Arias, November 6, 1985, for La Rabida Children’s Aid
Opera Night, March 1, 1987, with Skokie Valley Orchestra (permission not given)
- 156 -
Memorial Recordings
William Diana’s memorial service on December 30, 2004. Available in CD audio, DVD
or VHS video format.
Program for the Memorial Presentation to the Michigan City Public Library on
February 12, 2006, available in DVD or VHS video format.
“William Diana Favorites,” a compilation on CD of some of Mr. Diana’s best songs
selected from the available recordings.
These recordings may be obtained free of charge from Eleanor Warrington, 18 E. Old
Willow, Prospect Heights, IL 60070 or ewarrington@earthlink.ne
- 157 -
WILLIAM DIANA – LIST OF PERFORMANCES
Editor’s note: It appears that Mr. Diana performed more frequently in the later years, but it is most likely he performed just as much
in earlier years but that there are fewer available records from that period. Digital and Internet databases are more frequent after 1985.
See Biographical Sources section following for code to Sources.
Organization
Elston High School
Elston High School
Michigan City Symphony
Orchestra
Dunes Summer Theater
American Conservatory of
Music
American Conservatory of
Music
Grant Park Symphony
Date(s) Y-M-D
1963
1964
1964
Chicago Symphony Chorus
1968-12-15
Ravinia Festival
1969-07-31;
08-02
Chicago Opera Repertory
Theater
Chicago Opera Repertory
Theater
1970’s – late?
1970’s – late?
Woodstock Opera
House
Grant Park Symphony
Pilot Knob Repertory Opera
1973
1973
Petrillo Music Shell
Grant Park Symphony
1973 – 1976
Petrillo Music Shell
Pilot Knob Repertory Opera
1973-0303,04,10,11
Pilot Knob Repertory Opera
1973-0503,06,10,13
1964 summer
1967
Location
Same
Same
Washington Park,
Michigan City, IN
Michigan City, IN
1967
1968-07-13
Petrillo Music Shell
Same
Germania Club
Source
WD, LT
WD, LT
WED
Type
Musical
Musical
Concert
LB, WD
WD
Musical
Opera
WD
Opera
CT, WD.
AC bio
CT
Concert
RF bio
Concert
CC
Opera
JSH,
CC,
playbill
RF bio
RF bio
Opera
Menotti, The Old Maid and the Thief. Role:
Bob. Bruce Kamsler, Director.
Opera
JH, LGR
Concert
CR,
Ravinia
bio
CR,
Ravinia
bio
Opera
Leoncavallo, Pagliacci. Role: Silvio
Nicolai, Merry Wives of Windsor. Role:
Mr. Ford
Brahms, Requiem. Soloist. Ivy Beard and
Michael Cullen as duo pianists.
Gluck, Outwitting the Calith (Le Cadi Eupee).
Title role.
- 158 -
Concert
Opera
Details: music, role
The Music Man, salesman
The King and I, 1st viola
Solo. “Di provensa, il mar” from Verdi’s La
Traviata
My Fair Lady. Role: Freddie Eynsford-Hill
Boito, Mephistopholes. Title role.
Bizet, Carmen. Role: Toreador. Julie Levine,
Director.
Bernstein, Candide. 3 solo roles.
Stravinky, Mass (1948). Soloist. Margaret
Hillis, Director.
Concert version, Puccini, Madama Butterfly.
Role: Prince Yamadori, with Martina Arroyo in
title role. Alain Lombard, CSO Conductor.
Menotti, The Telephone. Role: Ben.
Verdi Evening, (semi-staged). Role: Count in
Act IV of Il Travatore
Organization
Mayor’s Committee on
Economic and Cultural
Development (Chicago)
Apollo Chorus
Grant Park Symphony
Outside the Loop Magazine
Date(s) Y-M-D
1973-06-13
Location
Civic Center,
Chicago
Source
CT
Type
Concert
Details: music, role
Soloist
1973-12-18,19
1974
1974
AC
RF bio
CC
Oratorio
Opera
Concert
Oldenburgerisches
Staatstheater
Deutsche Oper am Rheim
1974 – 1976
Opera
Opera
1974 or 1975
WD, SS,
Bios
WD,
bios
WD,
bios
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Mozart, Cosi Fan Tutte, Role: Alfonso
Varied program to raise proceeds for the
European audition tour for Bill and Sharon with
William L. Stein concert agency. With Sharon
Sherrard, soprano; Michael Cullen, piano.
Contract for 18 months, 17 roles, including
Germont in La Traviata.
Guest performer
Heidelberg Oper
Orchestra Hall
Petrillo Music Shell
Martinetti’s
Restaurant (owned
by Carolyn Collins’
father)
Oldenburg, West
German
Dusseldorf, West
Germany
Heidelberg, West
Germany
Opera
Guest performer.
Chicago Opera Theater
1974-02-17
Concert
Chicago Opera Theater
Jones Commercial
HS Auditorium
Ravinia Festival
1974-0426,27,28;
1974-05-3,4,5
1974-07-10,13
University of Chicago
Benefit performance. Excerpts from I Pagliacci
and Il Tovotore.
Mozart, Cosi Fan Tutte. Role: Alfonso. With
Robert Orth, Sharon Sherrard, Robert
Heinrikson.
Verdi, La Traviata. Role: the Baron. With
Beverly Sills as Violetta.
Historical Anthology of Music: Thirteenth
Century Polyphony. Soloist and ensemble.
Soloist. Tom Peck, Director; Ivy Beard,
Accompanist.
Rossini, Stabat Mater. Soloists: Lois Glover,
Louise Cooley, Kurt Hansen, William Diana.
Rossini, Marriage of Figaro. Role: Count
Almaviva. With Eileen Berman, Sharon
Sherrard, Sarah Bryan Miller, Eileen Berman.
Brahms, German Requiem. Baritone soloist.
Vaughn-Williams, Dona Nobis Pacem; Faure,
Requiem. Soloist.
Brahms, Nänie and Ein Deutsches Requiem.
Soloist.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Rossini, Stabat Mater. Soloist
1974 or 1975
Opera
Ravinia
CR, AS,
RO, SS,
RH
CT
1975 or earlier
Bond Chapel
Internet
Recording
First Unitarian Church
1975-04-04
Same
JH
Concert
Chicago Chamber Choir
1975-10-26
CC bio
Concert
Chicago Opera Theater
1976 summer
Church of Our
Saviour, Chicago
The Court Theater
EB, SS,
SBM
Opera
Grant Park Chorus
Apollo Chorus
1976-08-14,15
1977-06-08
Petrillo Music Shell
Orchestra Hall
CC
AC
Concert
Concert
Rockefeller Chapel Choir
1977-10-30
Chapel
RC
Concert
Rockfeller Chapel Choir
Apollo Chorus
Grant Park Symphony
1977-12
1977-12-20,21
1978
Orchestra Hall
Petrillo Music Shell
CC bio
AC
AC bio
Concert
Oratorio
Concert
- 159 -
Opera
Organization
Rockefeller Chapel Choir
Carolyn Collins Concert
Management
Apollo Chorus
Grant Park Concerts
Date(s) Y-M-D
1978-03-19
1978-05-07
Source
RC
CC
Type
Concert
Concert
1978-06-10
1978-08-05, 06
Location
Chapel
St. Paul’s Church,
Chicago
Orchestra Hall
Petrillo Music Shell
AC
CC
Concert
Concert
Rockefeller Chapel Choir
1978-11-12
Rockefeller Chapel
Concert
Rockefeller Chapel Choir
?
Oratorio
Opera
Bach, Christmas Oratorio. Soloist.
Puccini, I Pagliacci. Role: Silvio.
Bio
Concert
“Artist’s Showcase”
AC bio,
CC, WD
AC
AC
WFMT
WD
Concert
On tour, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella. Soloist.
Apollo Chorus
Apollo Chorus
WFMT 98.7
Freeman, Paul
1978-12
1978-12
(before)
1978-12
(before)
1978-12
(before)
1978-12-19,20
1979-12-18,19
1980‘s
1980’s
RC, AC
bio
Bio
AC Bio
Details: music, role
Bach, Mass in B Minor. Soloist
Vaughn Williams, Five Mystical Songs, Baritone
soloist. Concert with Dexter Bailey, organist.
Poulenc, Gloria, Orff, Carmina Burana. Soloist.
Poulenc, Gloria, G Major; Rossini, Stabat Mater.
Bass Soloist.
Mendelssoh, Elijah. Title role.
Oratorio
Oratorio
Broadcast
concert
4 to Go
1980’s
Bio or
obit
Concert
The Opera-Tunists
1980’s
bio or
obit
Concert
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Soloist on Sunday Recital Hour broadcast
Bill soloed in Finland, possibly with Freeman’s
orchestra there (between 1979-1989). This was
corroborated by Frank Lampi who had also
performed in the same concert.
Regularly appeared with this musical review
group which concertized in the Midwest. Other
members: Renee Matthews, Kari Howard, Jerry
Preskill.
Regularly appeared with this cabaret group.
Notre Dame University
Orchestra
Apollo Chorus
Northwest Indiana Opera
Theater, Inc.
1980-04-19, 20
CC, MU
Opera
Puccini, La Boheme. Role of Marcello
AC
CC
playbill
Concert
Opera
Vaughan-Williams, Hodie. Soloist.
Puccini, La Boheme. Role: Marcello.
Chicago Chamber Orchestra
1980-11-08
EB, DK
Concert
Autumn Nocturne. With Eileen Berman. Dieter
Kober, Conductor.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
and Chorus
Joffrey Ballet
1980-06-07
1980-09-26, 27
Orchestra Hall
Orchestra Hall
Finland
Often at Condes
Restaurant in
Whiting, IL
O’Laughlin
Auditorium, same
Orchestra Hall
Monbeck Auditorium
Highland High
School
Woman’s Athletic
Club
- 160 -
Organization
La Porte County Symphony
Orchestra
Date(s) Y-M-D
1980-11-23
Location
Civic Auditorium
Source
MU
Type
Concert
Chicago Chamber Orchestra
1981-01-11
DK
Concert
Notre Dame University
Orchestra
Apollo Chorus
Apollo Chorus
La Porte County Symphony
Orchestra
Hyde Park Union Church
1981-03-07, 08
CC
playbill
AC
AC
MU
Opera
Concert
Oratorio
Concert
Bruchner, Mass in F Minor. Soloist.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Pops concert. Soloist.
1982-02-21
Chicago Cultural
Center
O’Laughlin
Auditorium, same
Orchestra Hall
Orchestra Hall
Civic Auditorium, La
Porte, Indiana
Same
Details: music, role
Soloist. Mozart, “Serenade” from Don Giovanni;
Rossini, “Largo al Factorum” from Barber of
Seville. Conductor: Adrian Bryttan
Arias and Duets from Purcell, Mozart, Donizetti.
With Eileen Berman. Dieter Kober, Conductor.
Mozart, Così Fan Tutte. Role: Guglielmo.
Concert
Hyde Park Union Church
1982-11-08
Same
Chicago Chamber Orchestra
1982-11-13
Hillel Torah
Congregation,
Evanston
CC, AC
bio
CC, AC
bio
DK
Songs of Ravel and Poulenc. Michael Cullen,
piano.
Melodies of Debussy and Fauré. Michael
Cullen, piano.
Arias from Mozart and Verdi. Soloist. Dieter
Kober, Conductor.
Beacon Street Theater
1983
AC Bio.
musical
Chicago Chamber Orchestra
1983-05-05
DK
Concert
Apollo Chorus
1983-05-14
University of
Chicago, Circle
Campus
Orchestra Hall
AC
Concert
4 to Go
Apollo Chorus
Apollo Chorus
Cliffdwellers
1983-07-15,16
1983-12-13,14
1984-12-15,17
1985-02-15
Orphan’s, Chicago
Orchestra Hall
Orchestra Hall
CC, bio
AC
AC
GT
Show
Oratorio
Oratorio
Concert
Apollo Chorus
La Rabida Children’s Aid
1985-05-17
1985-11-06
Orchestra Hall
AC
EB
Concert
Opera
Apollo Chorus
Cliffdwellers
1985-12-16,17
1987-02-13
Orchestra Hall
Upstairs concert hall
at Orchestra Hall
AC
EB, GT
Oratorio
Concert
Skokie Valley Symphony
Orchestra
1987-03-01
EB
opera
1981-05-23
1981-12-15,16
1982-02-06
- 161 -
Concert
Concert
Created role of Jack Hawks in Jeff-dominated
production of “The Christmas Present.”
Mozart’s Vesperae Solemnes, K. 339. Soloist.
Dieter Kober, Conductor.
Vaughn-Williams, Dona Nobis Pacem; Orff,
Carmina Burana. Soloist.
Quartet show in restaurants.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Solos, duets with Eileen Berman, soprano;
George Tenegal, piano.
Verdi, Requiem. Soloist.
Opera Duets and Arias. Solos and duets with
Eileen Berman. Pianist: George Tenegel.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
A St. Valentine’s Day Concert. Solos, duets
with Eileen Berman. Pianist: George Tenegel
Opera Night with Eileen Berman. Conductor:
Organization
Chicago Opera Theater
Date(s) Y-M-D
1987-03-10
Location
Newberry Library, U.
of Chicago
Source
EB
Type
Concert
Musicians’ Club of Women
1987-04-20
Three Arts Club
EB
Musical
Self-Help of Chicago, Inc.
1987-05-03
Temple Emanuel,
Chicago
Concert
Northbrook Symphony
Orchestra
Balestrero, Dan
1988
GT
playbill
CSO bio
1988 (approx.)
Ganz Hall
DB, WD
Concert
Lake Shore Symphony
Orchestra
Miami Grand Opera
Association
DuPage/Mid-America Opera
1988 or 1989
Copernicus Center,
Chicago
CSO
bio, JSH
WD
Opera
1988?
1988-10-27,
28, 29, 30,
1988-11-03,
04, 05, 06
1988-10-30
CC
playbill
Operetta
CC
Concert
Details: music, role
Gala Concert. Solos, duets, quartet. Eileen
Berman, Susan Bloss, William Watson. Valerie
Lorimer as pianist.
Game of Chance, Seymour Barob. Director:
Annemarie Gerts. Soloist. Other singers:
Eileen Berman, Cynthia Anderon, Jo Ann
Minds. Elaine Smith, Pianist.
Benefit concert with Eileen Berman; George
Tenegal, accompanist.
Orff, Carmina Burana. Soloist.
Concert version of Verdi, Rigoletto. Title role,
with Nadine Vorenkamp and Marcus Arbizu.
Act III of Verdi, Rigoletto, concert version. Title
role.
Richard Strauss, Salome. Role: John the
Baptist.
Gilbert & Sullivan, H.M.S. Pinafore. Role:
Captain Corcoran. Dennis Mae, Director.
Libertyville-Fremont Concert
Scoeity
The Opera Factory
1989
CSO bio
Concert
“A Festival of Cathedral Music,” in memory of
Richard E. Vikstrom. Benjamin Hadley,
Conductor. Duet on Purcell, Psalm III, with
Donald Doig, tenor.
Hadyn, Lord Nelson Mass. Bass soloist.
1989
Opera
Torroba, Luisa Fernanda. Role: Vidal
Wupertal Oratorien Chor
Chicago Chamber Orchestra
1989
1989-05-07
CSO
bio, BAL
CSO bio
DK
William Ferris Chorale
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1989-06-02
1989-10-3,7
WFC
CSO
bio, IMF
Recording
Concert
Chicago Sinfonietta
1989-11-21
CT
Concert
Rockefeller Chapel Choir
Chapel
Cathedral of St.
James, Chicago
Mt. Carmel Church
Orchestra Hall
- 162 -
Concert
Soloist with this group on tour in the US
Mozart’s Vesperae Solemnes, K. 339. Soloist.
Dieter Kober, Conductor.
Edward Collins, Hymn to the Earth. Soloist
Lecture-recital services “Beginning with
Brahms,” by CSO program annotator, Phillip
Huscher, Brahms’ Seven Songs, Op. 95.
Soloist. Michael Cullen, piano.
Soloist in “Harold’s Journey.” Paul Freeman,
Conductor.
Organization
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Date(s) Y-M-D
1989-1214,15,16
1990
Location
1990?
Hammerschmidt
Chapel
Northeastern Illinois
University
WBBM-Channel 2
AC bio
Grant Park Symphony
1990-0509,12,13,18,20,
23,26
1990-07-19,20
Chicago Symphony Chorus
1991
University of Chicago
Beverly Foundation for the
Performing Arts
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1991?
1991-01-13
Chicago Sinfonietta
Chicago Opera Theater
Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra
Elmhurst Choral Union
The Opera Factory
Type
Concert
MJ
Concert
Details: music, role
Stravinky, Mass. Soloist. Sir Georg Solti,
Conductor.
Berlioz, Lelio. Soloist. Zdenek Macal,
Conductor.
Pablo Sorozabal, Adios a la Bohemia. Role:
Ramon
Soloist for “Harold’s Journey.” Paul Freeman,
Conductor.
Delibes, Lakme, Role: Frederic
ST
Opera
ST
Concert
Athenaeum Theatre
CR
Opera
Petrillo Music Shell
ST, CT
Concert
Alice Tulley Hall,
New York
Court Theater
St. Barnabas
Church
Orchestra Hall
AC bio
Concert
CC
ST,
Cath.
WFMT,
CSO
Opera
Opera
1991-03-31
Orchestra Hall
CT
Concert
Athenaeum Theatre
CR, ST,
CT
Opera
Chamber Opera Chicago
1991-0403,06,07,12,14,
17,20
1991-05-04
Paul Paray, Mass Commemorating the 500th
Anniversary of the Death of Joan of Arc. Soloist
Mozart’s C Minor Mass. Soloist. Margaret
Hillis, Director.
Porgy and Bess, Gershwin. Soloist.
Menotti, Amahl and the Night Visitors. Role:
Melchior. Michael Melton, Conductor.
Carl Nielsen, Symphony No. 3, Op. 27. Soloist.
Guest Conductor: Herbert Blomstedt. Also
Jane Green as soloist
Gershwin, Porgy and Bess. Conductor: Paul
Freeman
Puccini, Madama Butterfly. Role: Sharpless.
CT
Opera
Massenet, Werther. Role: Albert.
Chicago Opera Theater
1991-07
CT
Opera
Fiesta Musicale, benefit concert. “The
Toreador’s Song,” from Bizet, Carmen.
Dame Myra Hess Concerts
1991-07-24
1991-11-23
IMF,
JSH
RSO
Concert
Rockford Symphony
Orchestra
?
Ruth Page
Auditorium
Botticelli Room,
Monastero
Restaurant
Chicago Cultural
Center
Midway Theater,
Rockford
Evanston
WFMT
bio
Oratorio
Solo concert broadcast over WFMT. Michael
Cullen, accompanist.
Mozart, Marriage of Figaro, Act II. Role: Count
Almaviva.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist.
Chicago Sinfonietta
Chicago Opera Theater
1990-04 (two
weekends)
1990-04-14
Source
CSO
1991-0124,25,26,29
1991-12
- 163 -
Concert
Opera
Organization
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Date(s) Y-M-D
1991-12
Location
WFMT 98.7
1991-12-08
Live radio
Handel Oratorio Society
1991-12-13,
14, 15
Augustana College
Augustana College
Centennial Hall
Light Opera Works
1991-1213,14,15
1992 or before
Oratorio
Details: music, role
“Do-It-Yourself” Messiah. Director: Margaret
Hillis, Director.
Live program: “United Airlines presents,
‘American Songs Live.’” Full program as
soloist, songs of Barber, Rorem, Copland.
Pianist: Judith Jackson. Narrator: Norman
Pelligrini
Handel, Messiah, Bass soloist. Donald
Morrison, Director, with Augustana Symphony
Orchestra under Daniel Culver.
Handel, Messiah. Soloist
Opera
Lehár, Merry Widow. Role unknown.
Chicago Sinfonietta
1992?
WFMT
Opera
SLPD,
bio
WFMT
Concert
SLPD,
website
AC
Concert
1992-05-22
St. Francis Xavier
Hall, St. Louis Univ.
Orchestra Hall
Grant Park Music Festival
Grant Park Symphony
Orchestra
Apollo Chorus
Slovakia Philharmonic
Orchestra and Chorus,
Prague
1992-06-26
1992-08-15
Petrillo Music Shell
Petrillo Music Shell
CT
ST, CT
Opera
Concert
Gershwin, Porgy and Bess. Conductor: Paul
Freeman. (mentioned on WFMT as coming up)
Vaughn-Williams, “Dona Nobis Pacem.” Soloist
with Virginia Croskery, soprano.
Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. Role: Lord
Capulet.
Duruflé, Requiem. Soloist with Angela Horn,
mezzo. Dennis Sparger, Director.
Poulenc, Gloria; Brahms, A German Requiem.
Soloist
Gilbert and Sullivan, Mikado. Role: Pooh-Bah.
Abbinanti, Like a Force of Light. Soloist.
St. Louis Symphony
Florentine Opera of
Milwaukee
The Bach Society of St. Louis
1992-03-08
(also Sunday)
1992-04-30;
05-2,3
1992-05-19
Apollo Chorus
1992-12-18,19
1993
Orchestra Hall
AC
Label
Oratorio
Recording
Chicago Opera Theater
Rockford Symphony
Orchestra
Chamber Opera Theater
Light Opera Works
1993-02
1993-03-13
Athenaeum Theater
Midway Theater,
Rockford
CT
RSO
opera
Opera
CR
LOW
Opera
Opera
1993-05
1993-0827,28,29
Noyes Cultural Arts
Center, Evanston
Powell Hall
Noyes Cultural Arts
Center, Evanston
Source
AC bio
(12/92)
WFMT
Type
Oratorio
AC bio,
Augusta
na
WFMT
bio
LOW
Concert
- 164 -
Broadcast
Opera
Concert
Handel, Messiah. Soloist
Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass; Pro Arte Label 3461;
Mozart, Requiem Mass, K. 262. Pro Arte Label
3462. Conductor: Paul Freeman. Other
soloists: Jason Balla, Sandra Graham, Ursula
Mann.
Variety Opera Concert
Puccini, Madama Butterfly. Role: Sharpless.
Mozart, The Magic Flute. Role: Speaker.
Gilbert & Sullivan, Iolanthe. Role: Earl of
Mountararat
Organization
Elgin Symphony Orchestra
Date(s) Y-M-D
1993-09
The Opera Factory
1993-09
Lincoln Opera
1993-10
Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra
Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra and Chorus
Hawaii Opera Theater
Source
CT
Type
Musical
Details: music, role
Show Boat and More
ST
Opera
Zarzuela: The Dazzle of Spain. Soloist
ST,
LOW
bio
Opera
Verdi, Tosca. Role: Scarpia
1993-12
MJ
Concert
1994
Label
Recording
WD, HA
Opera
Bach, Cantata No. 140, Wachet Auf; Purcell,
Glory to God on High. Soloist
Berlioz, Lelio. Soloist. Conductor: Zdenek
Macal. Label: Koss 1017 and 1012
Verdi, La Traviata. Role: elder Germont
DuPage Symphony Orchestra
1994-03
CT
Concert
Beethoven, Ninth Symphony. Soloist.
University of Chicago
Summer Opera Festival
Grant Park Symphony
Orchestra
University of Chicago
1994-07-15,26
UC
Opera
Verdi, Tosca. Role: Scarpia
Chamber Opera Chicago
1995?
Berman-Diana Vocal Duo
Elgin Symphony Orchestra
1995-02-14
1995-03
Chicago Opera Theater
1995-0602,04,08,10,11
The Opera Factory
1995-06-27
University of Chicago,
Summer Opera Festival ‘95
1995-07-21-22
1994-0219,20,22
Location
Hemmens
Auditorium, Elgin
Chicago Cultural
Center
St. Scholastic
School Theater,
South Shore
Cultural Center
Neal Blaisdell
Center Concert Hall,
Honolulu
Edman Memorial
Chapel
1994-07-20,22
Petrillo Music Shell
ST
Concert
Bernstein, Songfest. Soloist.
1994-12-02
Hyde Park Union
Church
News
Oratorio
Messiah. To benefit shelters. Soloist
CR
Opera
Mareva’s Restaurant
Hemmens
Auditorium
DePaul University
Merle Reskin
Theatre
Chicago Cultural
Center
ST
CT
Concert
Musical
Mozart,The Magic Flute. Role: Speaker. Carl
Ratner, Director.
Polish Panache. Soloist.
Hiawatha. Role: Lagoo
CR, CT,
ST
Opera
Mozart, The Magic Flute. Role: Speaker
ST
Opera
Hutchinson
Courtyard
CC
Concert
The Marriage of Music. With Donna Sadlicka.
Wedding songs and love duets from operas,
operettas and musicals.
“A Gershwin Gala.” Bill performed Porgy and
Bess, with Angela Stramaglia, soprano.
University of Chicago Orchestra and Summer
Opera Chorus.
- 165 -