Lincoln Center. September 24, 2007. By Tim Murphy
What did you think of the opera, Lucia Di Lammermoor, tonight? “I’m not crazy about these tragic patriarchal love stories.” —Jane Fonda
—Mayor Michael Bloomberg
In the opera, Lucia has a “mad scene.” Do you ever have one? “I could easily kill someone with these shoes.” —Cecilia Dean
—John McEnroe
Where in Brooklyn do you live? “Fort Greene. But don’t tell anybody.” —Cady Huffman
—Patty Smyth
What’s your favorite opera of all time? “I’m a slut for Madame Butterfly” —Tovah Feldshuh
—Walter Cronkite
What opera is your life most like? “I hope none, because they’re all too tragic.” —Willem Dafoe
—Mary-Louise Parker
Don’t your arms get tired? “In the last 37 years, I’ve conducted 2,500 performances of 85 operas, and my arm is still fine.” —James Levine, conductor
—Plácido Domingo
Do you surprise yourself with your sounds? “No, because I rehearse it. But I discovered ululating last year.” —Natalie Dessay, opera singer (AP)
—Blythe Danner
Which opera is your life most like? “I don’t do opera.” —Bianca Jagger
—Deborah Norville
How do you prevent your own “mad scenes”? “Anytime I’ve gotten close to feeling that way, it starts in my knees. I say, ‘Excuse me, I’ve gotta make a phone call.’” —Bob Balaban
—Georgette Mosbacher
When was your last “mad scene”? “At Le Cirque last week at a dinner for our opening boutique at Saks.” —Zac Posen
—Giada Colagrande
Who’s madder: Lucia or Ahmadinejad? “That guy wouldn’t know which end of the button to push if they had any stockpile.” —Morley Safer
—Vera Farmiga
Have you ever had a Lucia-like public meltdown? “I don’t have public meltdowns. I don’t even have private meltdowns.” —Barbara Walters