A stooped, watery eyed New Yorker used to buy his programmes from me at Covent Garden in the early eighties. I asked if he would be coming to the new production of Norma . He looked alarmed as he answered, 'Oh, no. I saw Ponselle as Norma at the Met in nineteen twenty-seven. That woman's glory ruined opera for me forever, just when I was getting started with it.'
Aka That Ballerina Act. Guildhall trained ***** Variety Headliner, bass-baritone, ***** Author. The performer life 'A rare and perfect synthesis of art and larkiness.' The Times ***** After Dinner Speaking as hosted by www.diannemannering.co.uk