Opera...

OK, I'll have to admit it up front ... I saw "The Bucket List" tonight, a film with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and it got me to thinkin' about what I want to do before I kick the bucket. If this is too, well, cliche for you move on. This week is going to be all about refining that list. Please share your list, or any part of it, as it may change the things I am GOING to do. Having said that, I am starting with music:

10. See La Bohème (Pucinni's great opera) at the Teatro Regio (now the Teatro Regio Torino) in Turin Italy. The theater in which this great opera was premiered.

9. Hear the Berlin Philharmonic play Beethovan's 9th Symphony at the site of the Berin Wall on New Year's Eve.

8. Hear U2 in concert at a small venue, 1200 seats or less, in Ireland. How much would I pay to see them? Depends. What would you pay to see your favorite artist in a small place?

7. Play in ANY orchestra to accompany three great living artists: Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and Dave Brubeck. Yes, that's right, Brubeck, at least I think he's still alive. Too bad his great sax player, Paul Desmond is no longer living, he certainly would have made my list.

6. Write one song that has an impact ... on someone. This is pretty open to interpretation, but it doesn't have to be a hit to be important.

5. Write one orchestra piece and have it played by one of the great orchestras of our day, even in rehearsal. Chicago, Philadelphia, NY Phil, whichever. (OK, I know, not likely, but a guy can dream can't he?)

4. Conduct Brahms Symphony #1 with any decent orchestra. On that same program would be Lark Ascending and Fanfare for the Common Man.

3. See Phantom of the Opera in London, conducted by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

2. Produce Jesus Christ Superstar someday.

1. I'll add this one after the first 5 are completed.

I am dying to hear some of your ideas. Please comment. Do it annonymously if you must!

Tomorrow - Seven Wonders of the World.