Cheryl Studer Remembers Wolfgang Sawallisch

On her Facebook page, Cheryl Studer has just written the following. We felt it was more than worth bringing to your attention. And perhaps Wagner would have approved of the inclusion of Euryanthe (See here for an overview if you are unfamiliar or perhaps also here).

Anyway, on to Cheryl Studer:

"Remembering Wolfgang Sawallisch.

Wikipedia does not describe his genius as an opera conductor. He was THE best conductor I ever had the honor to work with, although I worked with many great conductors! He had a lovely lyric tenor voice and understood the voice. Once, when I was sick and convinced I must cancel a performance of Don Giovanni in Munich, he called me in to work with him a bit. He sang Don Ottavio while accompanying my Donna Anna at the piano. After half an hour, he said: "No problem, you'll be OK. Just keep your eyes on me". I did. He conducted me through the performance, helping me to "save" wherever possible. I got through the performance without having to make an announcement after intermission. Everyone who sang in Munich under Maestro Sawallisch was better there than anywhere else. He was inspiring and uplifting! I miss him."