Divo and the Scholars!

Yes, the event to mark Phil Gossett's retirement and celebrate his career at the University of Chicago was a grand affair which it was such a treat to be involved with.  Phil's influence as a teacher, scholar, mentor and agitator has always spread around the world, so it was no surprise to find scholars from Britain and Europe, as well as a galaxy of US star musicologists, gathering together to express their affection for the great man!  This was all put together by the U of C's Anne Robertson.  Terrific job.

I was asked to be the chair of the first session entitled "The Uses of Convention" which in the context of a symposium subtitled "Ottocento Opera - Between Theory and Practice" made some sense.  Being the chair was not such an daunting and nerve wracking task as expected.  These august scholars were kind to me and in truth all I had to do was introduce them.

The four in my session were Stefano Castelvecchi from Cambridge University, Mark Everest of the University of Southampton, Hilary Poriss of Northeastern University, and the Director of the Caramoor Festival, Will Crutchfield.

There was the usual mixture of scholarly analysis and academic banter, wit and wisdom, and a continuous thread of respect for, and gratitude to, Phil running through the proceedings.  There was the odd rock tossed into the pool, in particular some adverse remarks about Regietheater from Will - robustly rebutted by Ellen Harris from MIT.  And a charming moment from Hilary Poriss, whose paper was about the altruism of certain Prima Donnas, when she conceded that "men can be generous too"!

There was an excellent second session devoted matters textual entitled "Knowing the Score" and the proceedings were wrapped up with brilliant closing remarks from Don Michael Randel, former President of the U of C, now President of the Andrew W Mellon Foundation, and himself a distinguished musicologist.

We then adjourned for a reception at the Quadrangle Club, more tributes to Phil and the presentation of a Rossini letter as a leaving present - wow!

Next up I was on parade again to introduce a wonderful recital by Joyce DiDonato and Vivica Genaux, truly the Colbran and Malibran of the day, in a program put together by Will Crutchfield who also played - very well.  It pushed all the Gossett buttons including his passion for Gilbert and Sullivan!

And so to dinner, more speeches of an informal affectionate kind, and some singing by us all.  It was over soon before 11pm.  A wonderful day!

Comments

[Mariannell Bassett-Dilley]

Now, THAT was indeed a party!