Bruno Bartoletti: The Young At Heart

Maximum kudos to that gentleman of the podium, that vastly underrated and most elegant conductor, a champion of new works who also has a deepest knowledge of the great classic repertory, il maestro Bruno Bartoletti.

The 81-year-old maestro's association with the Chicago Lyric comes to an end after some 600 performances (his 51-year tenure included 10 years as co-artistic director and 24 as the company's sole artistic director).

Chicago -- and the world outside Italy -- lose him because he'll retire to Florence, only conducting in Italy from now on.

"In 1956, I was a baby, but this company was a baby, too. We grew up together."

...

"We need respect for the music, we need respect for the theater that engaged you, and we need respect for your colleagues," he said. "We have a common dream; to create a great performance."

Opera Chic stands up in a one-girl mad standing ovation to a wonderful, wonderful career.