We mourn today the passing of musicologist, scholar, essayist and lover of all things Italian, il signor Julian Budden.
He passed away in Florence: we have in our library at the Opera Chic headquarters his invaluable Verdi and Puccini studies, and his books will remain essential reading for all opera lovers. And really, if you love opera and you haven't read Budden yet, you've been missing a lot.
To quote Tim Page:
"He makes one hungry to hear the operas once again and reconsider one's own response--what can be higher praise for music criticism?"
No higher praise, really.
Signor Budden's funeral will take place Saturday in Florence, at Cimitero di Doccia (Pontassieve), at 11:30 am.
Riposi in Pace, Maestro.