IN MEMORY 

                                          OF MY FRIEND

                                 VAN CLIBURN 

                                              

It is with great sadness that I write this blog tonight.  My friend of 49 years, Van Cliburn, passed away on Feb. 27,  2013, of bone cancer at his home in Fort Worth, Texas.

Van and I first met at the Metropolitan House in New York in November 1964.  We sat next to each other at a Gala Evening staring our mutual friend Renata Tebaldi. Joan Sutherland, Elizabeth Schwarzkoff and Lisa Della Casa were also staring .  That night led to a friendship that included concerts, dinners and day with him in New York City.

Not only have I lost a friend the world has lost one of the great music geniuses of the last century. Heaven has gained an angle to accompany the heavenly choir!  Rest In Peace, my dear friend !