Irene Dalis Diva, Impresaria, Legend

In this fine biography, we get a whole picture of Irene Dalis, from her beginnings in California through her years in Europe and at the Met, and her success as creator and General Director of Opera San Jose. Speight Jenkins, General Director Emeritus, Seattle Opera The research alone is worth the price of the book, but fortunately Riebel is also a talented writer, and can present this long international career in an entertaining manner with humor and clarity. The book is a treasure about a treasure. Highly recommended. Elena Danielson, Archivist Emerita, Stanford University A fascinating read! This long-overdue biography about one of America's foremost artist/impresarios should be required reading for anyone interested in a career in opera--or any of the performing arts. As the leading mezzo-soprano at New York's Metropolitan Opera for twenty years, Irene Dalis was merely warming up for her starring role as founder and artistic director of America's foremost repertory opera company: Opera San José. Linda Riebel's biography records the triumphs, tragedies, and challenges of this diva's personal life. But equally important, the wisdom, integrity, and work ethic of Irene Dalis creates the template for success in both artistic achievement and life. Renaissance Pro I am a relative newbie to the world of Opera. Linda Riebel's recent book was an excellent introduction to the struggle to develop the talents necessary for opera. Not only the singers, but also the other talents, e.g., Impressario(a)s, General Directors, Stage Directors, Composers, Conductors, Orchestra members, Carpenters, the Board, as well as me...the audience. Irene Dalis triumphed over these struggles to create a unique and vital opera company that is so essential to the continuation of opera as a popular modern art form. The book also provided a fascinating view of the opera world for Irene in the 50's through the present in both Europe and the US. Lots of fun inspirational anecdotes. This was a very fast read since Linda Riebel is obviously a very gifted writer. Sym Blanchard In this book you'll read about my career, with its fascinating stories both backstage and onstage, the creation of Opera San José, and the ensuing careers of the many singers who at one time in their lives called OSJ their musical home. One theme I have wanted to emphasize in my life is luck. People always arrived when I needed them, as you'll see in the following chapters. Linda is the latest example of this. Just as I was announcing my retirement, she had the idea for the book, pressed it on me, and had the credentials to do it. Irene Dalis, 2014