Susan Senator

O terra addio, addio valle de pianti
–Joe Green, Aida

Don’t ask me why, but I had such a craving to hear the final scene of Aida. I have always loved this piece, having first heard it in college, (“Clapping for Credit,” Music 101). But I loved that course! It introduced me to all the great Western-European music, pre-Dylan. (I particularly loved Verdi, and I have told Ned that I want that particular quote (above) on my gravestone, and I want this played at my funeral. Sorry to be maudlin, just FYI.)
So, because I was holding the livingroom hostage (the stereo and the t.v. are both in there) so that he could do nothing but listen, I tried to interest Benji in the story, of the two lovers who end up being entombed together in good ole Egypt. I had tears in my eyes, listening to Placido Domingo and Aprile Millo sing together, not sounding at all as if their air were being cut off any minute. The high notes were giving me chills. “Benj, they’re saying, ‘Goodbye, earth, goodbye vale of tears…'” and I was wiping my eyes, when Benji suddenly said, “Mom, shouldn’t they be saying, ‘Hello, earth,’ since they are going underground into a tomb?” I burst out laughing in the middle of my bliss. I’m so glad he’s mine.

And I’m so glad I’m still here, hopefully for a very long time, to enjoy him, and Aida. Not that I have any plans to do otherwise, I’m just saying, I’m just staying.