[Magdalen] Tom Magliozzi, RIP

[Joseph Cirou]

I think Carl Grapentine is among the few if not only link to the old
lineup. Marty Robinson, Omar Shapli, Norman Pellegrini, Studs Terkel, Ray
Nordstrand. I don't know if Marty Robinson is still alive, but the others
have passed on, and I notice that the Lyric Opera broadcasts from the
Norman Pellegrini studio. Norm was a student of my organ prof: Edward
Eigenschenck which is why early on Doc Eigenschenck also had a program on
WFMT. Then there was a the estranged widow of the founder and foundress
whose name I have forgotten. I also remember Claudia Cassidy's regular
programs. Listening to her and also reading her On the Aisle was as much a
travelogue as a review. I had heard of her reputation, but by the time I
started paying attention, she had already mellowed.--Altho she was in large
part responsible for Jean Martinon's leaving the CSO after Reiner (who I
saw in person) and before Solti. I do remember she didn't like the
associate director very much.

Joe

On Tue, Nov 4, 2014 at 9:31 AM, Scott Knitter <scottknitter at gmail.com>
wrote:

> On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 10:39 PM, Joseph Cirou <romanos at mindspring.com>
> wrote:
> > I happy to see that WFMT is still going strong. I sometimes stream it
> and I
> > still contribute occasionally. I still give to the Symphony. The Lyric
> > Opera isn't with our government employees charities any more, I used to
> > give a part of each paycheck to them too.
>
> WFMT thrives because of its high quality and because of its hybrid
> status: they have pledge drives but also commercials. Money raised in
> pledge drives helps them maintain their policy of having all
> commercials read out by the on-air presenters. So no insanely annoying
> jingles for 800-588-2300 Empire or Luna Carpets, nor shouting car
> dealers. A calm, genteel atmosphere is maintained. And people love
> Carl Grapentine in the morning, but I'll never forgive him for being
> the stadium announcer for the University of Michigan Marching Band.
> Uh-oh...Here comes Grace!  ;^)
>
> Before I start running, I'll also say the Lyric Opera is doing really
> well. Renee Fleming has brought a wider variety of operas to the
> lineup, including <gasp> musicals like Oklahoma. I'm still holding out
> for the opera by Tomas Luis de Victoria with all the nudity (actually,
> I don't think the Lyric has traditionally gone for quite that edgy a
> staging...perhaps the Chicago Opera Theater at the Harris Theater in
> Millennium Park).
>
>
> --
> Scott R. Knitter
> Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois USA
>