It was a brisk late-September evening exactly 40 years ago, after a month spent studying singing every day with my teacher on the sun-drenched island of Elba (Italy), and after two months following the vocal program AIMS in Graz, Austria, that I showed up in Paris, stepping off the train with the plan to continue private studies here “for a few weeks, to see what happens.” Well, life happened.
I never returned to Boston. After those first few weeks, it became clear, at age 27, having accumulated a few books here as the fall leaves began to fly, and having acquired a hand-me-down wool overcoat, that Paris might just be where I would fit in. Truth is, I was made to feel welcome – and valued – here, and I bless France every day for that. As I often say, Gratitude is part of my constitution.
Many stages in my life have reminded me of the lesson that, despite the best-laid plans, you cannot foresee the future. I couldn’t foresee meeting Craig Rutenberg here in 1978, which became one of the most enriching and ongoing friendships imaginable. And I met Jacques, when I least expected it, 38 years ago: that went well! – Gratitude.
Within that first year I had met other very useful and caring people, obtained work papers, and well, just kept on singing. Someday I may have to write this all down…