Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Opera star Beverly Sills dies of cancer at 78
abclocal.go.com ^ | July 2, 2007

Posted on 07/02/2007 6:40:00 PM PDT by lunarbicep

Beverly Sills, the Brooklyn-born opera diva who was a global icon of can-do American culture with her dazzling voice, bubbly personality and management moxie in the arts world, died Monday of cancer, her manager said. She was 78.

It had been revealed just last month that Sills was gravely ill with inoperable lung cancer. Beyond the music world, Sills gained fans worldwide with a style that matched her childhood nickname, Bubbles. The relaxed, red-haired diva appeared frequently on TV talk shows, on "The Tonight Show," "The Muppet Show" and in televised performances with her friend Carol Burnett.

Together, they did a show from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera called "Sills and Burnett at the Met," singing rip-roaring duets with funny one-liners thrown in.

Long after the public stopped hearing her sing in 1980, Sills' rich, infectious laughter filled the nation's living rooms as she hosted live TV broadcasts. As recently as last season, she conducted backstage interviews for the Metropolitan Opera's high definition movie theater performances.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: beverlysills; bubbles; obituary; opera; sills
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-46 next last

1 posted on 07/02/2007 6:40:01 PM PDT by lunarbicep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

Now that’s an interesting thread title.


2 posted on 07/02/2007 6:43:17 PM PDT by lowbridge (If You’re Gonna Burn Our Flag, Wrap Yourself in It First /No Oil for Pacifists)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

The angel chorus will be more spectacular tonight. Rest in peace.


3 posted on 07/02/2007 6:44:09 PM PDT by trimom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
Now that’s an interesting thread title.

I don't know what happened to the headline, but bless the adm's for their help in fixing it

4 posted on 07/02/2007 6:47:17 PM PDT by lunarbicep (Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

I think she went to High School with Ruth Bader Ginsberg.


5 posted on 07/02/2007 6:48:19 PM PDT by Bringbackthedraft (Impeach Hillary 08')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

There’s something sadly ironic about an opera singer dying from lung cancer.

I hate cancer.


6 posted on 07/02/2007 6:49:22 PM PDT by GretchenM (What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Please meet my friend, Jesus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

R.I.P. Ms. Sills.


7 posted on 07/02/2007 6:50:30 PM PDT by sweetiepiezer (Boycott China-They murdered my dog.....click on my name.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Professional Engineer

ping


8 posted on 07/02/2007 6:53:15 PM PDT by Peanut Gallery
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

I’m very sorry to hear this.


9 posted on 07/02/2007 6:54:13 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Let all creation sing of salvation. Let us together give praise forever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bringbackthedraft

Her brother, Sidney Silverman, was the doctor that brought me into the world.

Does that mean there are only three degrees of separtion between me and Ruth Bader Ginsberg?

By the way, my mother thought he was a great doctor.


10 posted on 07/02/2007 6:57:06 PM PDT by I still care ("Remember... for it is the doom of men that they forget" - Merlin, from Excalibur)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

An incredible loss to the arts world, and she was always such an upbeat person. I always think of her retort to being asked how she manages to always be so happy .. and she said (paraphrase) I’m not always happy, I am alwasy cheerful. God Bless her!


11 posted on 07/02/2007 6:58:25 PM PDT by EDINVA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sitetest

BUMP


12 posted on 07/02/2007 7:11:24 PM PDT by Borges
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Borges; .30Carbine; 1rudeboy; 2nd Bn, 11th Mar; 31R1O; ADemocratNoMore; afraidfortherepublic; ...

Dear Borges,

Thank you for this sad ping.

Classical Music Ping List ping.

sitetest


13 posted on 07/02/2007 7:16:36 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

Sad news. Prayers for the family.


14 posted on 07/02/2007 7:21:39 PM PDT by Perdogg (congratulations - you have just won an ipod nano)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

Despite sadness in her personal life (one child deaf, the other mentally retarded), she was always cheerful. A great lady.


15 posted on 07/02/2007 7:22:14 PM PDT by LibFreeOrDie (L'Chaim!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EDINVA

“I’m not always happy, I am always cheerful.”

What a wonderful way to approach life. I seem to recall hearing that one of her nicknames was ‘Bubbles’, and then thinking how much that name suited her.

Like all of us, she had her share of heartache, but you’d never have known it by listening to her talk. She was joyful, infectious. Yet, I believe she had a deaf child. Imagine that. That marvelous voice, and a child who would never hear it.

I loved Beverly Sills long before I became aware, ‘politically’. She had class. What a pleasure she was!

R.I.P. Miss Sills.

pattyjo


16 posted on 07/02/2007 7:23:01 PM PDT by pj_627
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep; Tax-chick

A good overview of her life and roles. May God grant her Eternal Peace!

17 posted on 07/02/2007 7:28:20 PM PDT by Frank Sheed (Fr. V. R. Capodanno, Lt, USN, Catholic Chaplain. 3rd/5th, 1st Marine Div., FMF. MOH, posthumously.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pj_627

Amen.


18 posted on 07/02/2007 7:30:46 PM PDT by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: pj_627

Sweet woman - sweet voice.


19 posted on 07/02/2007 7:32:26 PM PDT by Socratic (Never be afraid to try something new. An amatuer built the Ark, Professionals built the Titanic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: lunarbicep

20 posted on 07/02/2007 7:32:38 PM PDT by Frank Sheed (Fr. V. R. Capodanno, Lt, USN, Catholic Chaplain. 3rd/5th, 1st Marine Div., FMF. MOH, posthumously.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-46 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson