The weather outside may have been frightful – and the commute somewhat problematic – but I was privileged yesterday to enjoy a most convivial lunch at Sansom Street Oyster House in Philadelphia with Dolores Cascarino and Bruce Hodges.
Dolores, a soprano who often performs under her maiden name, Ferraro, was married to composer Romeo Cascarino, whose music she indefatigably champions (most recently producing a lovely recording of his songs). Bruce is a prolific music writer, whose work has appeared in publications such as the Juilliard Journal, Playbill, The Strad, Overtones (the magazine of the Curtis Institute of Music), and WRTI’s Fanfare (accessible online).
Prosecco and conversation flowed copiously, as we shared an appetizer of grilled oysters. Dolores ordered the lobster roll and fries and Bruce and I enjoyed the gumbo special. For dessert: butterscotch pudding for Dolores (much better than it sounds!), cantaloupe sorbet for Bruce, and honey cake with whipped cream and cherry for me, with La Colombe coffee all around.
Is it any wonder that I was so uncharacteristically chatty? Two hours of sunshine on a rainy day. Thanks to Dolores and Bruce!
The recent release of Romeo Cascarino’s “Pathways of Love” is available as a digital download from all the usual sources. You can sample it, with soprano Jessica Beebe, here:
A selection of Bruce Hodges’ articles for WRTI: