introduction

[smitty1931]

Hello fellow music lovers! I have been a record collector since 1949. My first purchase was the London LP of Rachmaninoffs 3rd Piano concerto. During the LP era I had a collection of 2500 LPs. I am an Opera and Ballet as well. Now living in SW Florida I really miss the Kennedy Center, where in 1976 the great opera companies came to perform and I had front row seats for Boris, Onigen, Faust, Butterfly, etc. In 1955 I saw Callas at the Met in Lucia, where the audience gave her a 10 minute standing ovation ( this was long before standing ovations became common). After all these years Rachmaninoff is still my favorite composer and I have a dozen versions of his 3rd Concerto. I love the DVD of Olga Kern performing the 3rd. I look forward to hearing the opinions of  music lovers around the world.

[bhodges]

Hi smitty1931, and welcome. Lots of fans of that concerto on GMG--including me! Sounds like you have quite a history of hearing some great performances, too.

Anyway, enjoy yourself--lots of fine people here.

--Bruce

[DavidRoss]

Welcome, Smitty!  Saw Kern live a few years ago and liked her quite a bit, love the Rach 3, and I look forward to gleaning a bit from your 80 years of experience. 

[mc ukrneal]

Welcome sir!  We can always use another 'voice' in the opera section. 

[Hollywood]

Howdy smitty1931. Greetings from Vienna, Austria. Welcome to the forum.