How to get hooked on opera. (and GOTV to preserve culture and civilization in the U.S.)

[Aristus]

4. Me too.

Any time I want to get my opera on, I like to sing Wotan’s apostrophe to Valhalla from Das Rheingold. The goal is to do a glissando on “Hehre, herrlicher Bau!” like George London.

Every other bass-baritone except one just does a simple octave jump in the phrase. George London was one of a kind. Too bad he was such a jerk.

The exception is Greer Grimsley, who also did a glissando in the 2012 Seattle Opera Ring Cycle. He’s the only one who has ever come close to George London in the role of Wotan. I’ve got his autograph. I also saw his debut as Telramund in “Lohengrin” back in 1994 or so.

Grimsley’s Wotan opposite Stephanie Blythe’s Fricka is one for the ages…