Terry Ellsworth
2005-12-31 22:03:58 UTC
If you'll all permit me a personal moment to tell you about a little
girl who died on Christmas Eve and whose funeral I attended yesterday
and about her two remarkable parents.
Alessandra Rosalinda Polenzani was born in August of 2004 to Matthew
and Rosa Polenzani. Matthew is among the brightest stars of his
generation of young classical singers and made a real splash last
season when he starred in the new Metropolitan Opera production by
Julie Taymor of Mozart's Magic Flute. Rosa, his wife, is no less
accomplished but has stayed home quite a bit when she was pregnant and
after Alessandra's birth.
Two more devoted and wonderful parents could hardly have ever walked
this earth before and they welcomed this perfect little child with a
devotion and love that I have rarely seen before.
She proved a precocious young girl and was ahead of schedule on all of
those benchmarks which mark the development of a young child. She went
twice to meet her daddy's friends at the MET and saw him sing in
Florence. She also saw her mother sing. Everything seemed to be going
so well until Christmas Eve when she died suddenly of a brain
aneuryism. Matt and Rosa, their families, their friends, and their
admirers were stunned and shocked. She leaves such a void in everyone's
hearts.
The funeral in suburban New York was yesterday on a perfectly beautiful
and sunny winter day. Matt and Rosa had written a letter to their
daughter recounting her short life and it was read by a priest at the
conclusion of the mass. The church was filled with Matt's colleagues
from the MET, Susan Graham sang, and all joined together in trying to
find some words and comfort for these two wonderful human beings and
their families.
But, as the priest said, there is nothing we can say or do that isn't
inadequate and words and actions fail us. Nothing can heal what is such
a cruel double blow: to lose your only child on Christmas Eve.
I hope all here will add a little extra prayer for the Polenzanis in
whatever faith or creed you believe in. They are terrific people and
they are in need.
Thank you for listening.
Terry Ellsworth
girl who died on Christmas Eve and whose funeral I attended yesterday
and about her two remarkable parents.
Alessandra Rosalinda Polenzani was born in August of 2004 to Matthew
and Rosa Polenzani. Matthew is among the brightest stars of his
generation of young classical singers and made a real splash last
season when he starred in the new Metropolitan Opera production by
Julie Taymor of Mozart's Magic Flute. Rosa, his wife, is no less
accomplished but has stayed home quite a bit when she was pregnant and
after Alessandra's birth.
Two more devoted and wonderful parents could hardly have ever walked
this earth before and they welcomed this perfect little child with a
devotion and love that I have rarely seen before.
She proved a precocious young girl and was ahead of schedule on all of
those benchmarks which mark the development of a young child. She went
twice to meet her daddy's friends at the MET and saw him sing in
Florence. She also saw her mother sing. Everything seemed to be going
so well until Christmas Eve when she died suddenly of a brain
aneuryism. Matt and Rosa, their families, their friends, and their
admirers were stunned and shocked. She leaves such a void in everyone's
hearts.
The funeral in suburban New York was yesterday on a perfectly beautiful
and sunny winter day. Matt and Rosa had written a letter to their
daughter recounting her short life and it was read by a priest at the
conclusion of the mass. The church was filled with Matt's colleagues
from the MET, Susan Graham sang, and all joined together in trying to
find some words and comfort for these two wonderful human beings and
their families.
But, as the priest said, there is nothing we can say or do that isn't
inadequate and words and actions fail us. Nothing can heal what is such
a cruel double blow: to lose your only child on Christmas Eve.
I hope all here will add a little extra prayer for the Polenzanis in
whatever faith or creed you believe in. They are terrific people and
they are in need.
Thank you for listening.
Terry Ellsworth