FRONT PAGE I TABLE OF CONTENTS OF MAY ISSUE I COMMENTARIES AND ARTICLES I USA NEWS I WORLD NEWS I MIDDLE EAST NEWS I  NEW YORK SCENE I LIFESTYLE I PEOPLE, SOCIETY  AND EVENTS I ARTS I ENTERTAINMENT I CULTURE I BOOKS I MUSIC AND CDs I EVE WORLD I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I PERSONAL HISTORY  I APRIL ISSUE I MARCH ISSUE I  FEBRUARY  ISSUE I JANUARY ISSUE I  CONTACT I EDITORIAL STAFF I SUBSCRIPTION I TO ADVERTISE I

New York Monthly Herald. May 2006 Issue P. 31  Beginning of the article     Continued from page 30   Continues on page 32

Alison England: "The perfect man is the One who is patient and understands the difference between men and women and puts up with that."

 

 

Alison and I are good buddies. We chat all the time. We are neighbors. She is in Paris, I am in London. I enjoy talking to her because she is fun.  Once I asked Alison "What do you like best in life? Music, chocolate, reading, books, shopping....? And Alison replied:  "Oh God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can you compare Music and chocolate? Chocolate wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe Sex THEN chocolate THEN music! I adore HARRY POTTER books and all types of Magic!  And I adore R and B music!  My voice is suited to classical but my heart LOVES R and B! I love to dance also! I was a pro dancer - jazz and African throughout my early career! ". And I asked again" How about fun, Alison, what do you do for fun?  she answered: "SLEEP! There is not much time for fun! But in the past, I spent time alone, quiet, reading and go to the sea! I like movies to take the edge off and disco from time to time!". Asking her about her idea of THE perfect man. Alison replied: " The one I have now, he is a good listener! The perfect man is the One who is patient and understands the difference between men and women and puts up with that. Physically attentive and I do not just mean SEX! Sex is all the time all day long. But physical contact, kisses, hugs, soft spirit and the biggie for me, a man who believes in and follows God or Spirit. A man who listens to his intuition." Is she dramatic? You bet! Alison told me: "Hell yes I am dramatic! Less so everyday now, but very dramatic that is who I am in the world. I have BIG vision and BIG plans and BIG love to go around! I am all the above, really!  I am very  sensual but that comes out of LOVE! I am a ball of LOVE. I really adore people, helping them and guiding them and singing for them! That is how I hope I help and heal throughout the world! " 

Diva Alison England is very pragmatic. She perfectly understands the ups, downs, failures, successes and rejections in the world of showbiz. " Yes, early in my career, I suffered rejections. Yes and STILL do that is never going to end. Ask my colleagues. However, when I first started, I really did skyrocket! It was later after a family tragedy and needing to take a couple of years off that the rejection came around a bit because people did not know why I left for awhile.

 

 

 

Photo: Alison England on the cover of Classical Singer magazine.

 I deal with it by having a life! A real life! Time to rest: my daughter; my marriage, and I teach and do Master Classes all over, I give back and that helps too! Life was tough. I remember my first break:   Driving in pouring rain to sing for Willy Waters in Connecticut! He was looking for a soprano for his Miami company for Carlisle Floyd's new American opera! The stats fit me perfectly and my manager got us in the car; we drove in pouring rain; got there 5 min before I was to sing; I went into the bathroom and yodeled a bit and then just let it rip! My manager faxed Willy that on the drive alone I should get the contract! He gave to us and I starred at Miami Opera which lead to a contract for the same role at Seattle Opera and Carlisle and I worked together after that often! I have great friends! A sense of humor helps too.  I AM Carol Burnett with an operatic voice! I LOVE jokes I make people laugh naturally, ask my colleagues!  Alison loves colors. Her favorites? Pink and lilac!  For drama red and black. Her favorite books and authors? Susan Dane, The Bible, JK Rowlings and ALL the romance history books you can find! Places and countries she loves most? Nice, Corsica and Colorado! Asking her: " Are you a Diva, Alison?" She replied: " Yes! But a fun one!" I continued "A femme fatale?", "Absolutely when I want to be!", replied the delightful Alison England. "Any advice to aspiring opera singers? I asked Alison, "Study! Take acting and improve! Get your life settled! Have a sense of humor and a great support system and GET YOUR NICHE IN A REPERTOIRE. DO NOT DO EVERYTHING EVEN IF YOU CAN!  Success is balance! In voice and in life!" replied Alison. "Tell me about your wardrobe. Alison. Do Opera singers shop differently for their stage and grande galas affairs?" I asked her. "I do have a closet for gowns and dinner events and parties. Jewelry! Pant suits of velvet -comfortable formal clothes! I love to dress up, every little girl does! How nice to do it when you are a big girl! My everyday wear is also who I am in my nature in that I favor scarves and shawls that drape over me and bold colors and big earrings. Also collars that turn up and shoes that have curves in the heel and special toes....pointed or square with buttons or spots. Hose are fun too ..like fish-nets and big holed socks! This is VERY French!" replied our diva. Continues on page 32