Autumn lamento.

My yearly journey to where my people have chosen to rest is late; my granddaughters where around for half-term break, so I had no time to set off to this secluded spot. When I came back this evening I got the sad news:the loss of a voice I have loved from records and radio programmes:Shirley Verrett's death added to my sorrowful day, in the same atmosphere of this November week where even if religion is not implied, rituals take place. Rites are important to support our deep pains and sorrows. They kindly soften them. Music does as well.
I know Shirley Verrett was a fantastic Eboli and Lady Macbeth. She had her burden, being a black woman singer. On Forum opera one evening some time ago, an admirer shared this beautiful rendition of hers, and I want to recall it tonight:
(I am most grateful to Foropera, and think of this beautiful lady tonight
for all the joys her voice will give and has given. Opera singers are not always well known and appreciated, so I feel we must go and tell them as much as we can how we love and admire them, go to opera houses as much as possible, and make the most of it when they are alive and sharing their difficult art with us).