It was back in the 70s in New York. I had been to an audition in some tall skyscraper. I stepped into the elevator which was empty except for -- Leontyne Price. I got in. Tongue-tied, I finally found the courage to ask, "Excuse me, aren't you Leontine Price?" She turned her head slowly and looked down her nose at me (she is tall, statuesque) "Well," she drawled, "I'm what's left of her."
I blithered on about what a fan I was (her voice was a true wonder) finally asking if she would be playing Bess in the Met's then upcoming production of Porgy and Bess.
"No, honey," she replied, "... one trip to Catfish Row is enough!"
With that we arrrived at the lobby, the elevator doors opened and she sailed out like a frigate under sail.
Fast forward to the late 60s. I'm early for an audition at one of those very large rehearsal studios. I'm hanging in the hallway... waiting for my name to be called. Down the long hallway comes Teresa Stratas -- she was rehearsing for a show called "Rags" at the time... she was wearing a large rehearsal skirt and was deeply focussed on something, looking neither to the right or left, walking slowly down the hallway. As she passed me, I blurted out, "Ms. Stratas, I have to tell you that "La Traviata" is not only the best Opera film ever made (Starring Stratas and Domingo, directed by Zeffirelli) but one of the best films, period!"
Silence. She made no acknowledgement, merely kept walking slowly down the hall. Having lived in NYC for a long time, I accepted this... She was clearly "working" on something.... oblivious to her surroundings. I watched her traverse the long hall, enjoying my brush with greatness.
As she approached the corner, she turned her head very slightly in my direction.
"... always nice to hear..." she chirped. And disappeared around the corner.
