CJ Stern

I met Christopher in 2003 when we were both placed in Mainz, Germany for a year of study abroad on scholarships from the Federation of German-American Clubs. We were introduced by our dear caretaker and contact person at the university, Frau Ursula Bell-Köhler. Christopher became such a dear friend. He shared his beautiful soul and…

I’m a Canadian opera singer, and in spring 2014 I was a guest artist at the Munich Staatsoper for a new production of Zimmerman’s Die Soldaten. It was a huge production, and one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. It was also the first time I had ever worked with a prompter. In…

In the few times I saw Chris when he visited the Croydon Music and Arts centre to conduct our orchestra, I distinctly remember his advice, positive manner and sense of humour. He was an inspiring conductor, and we genuinely looked forward to seeing him in the future.

Zeke : la luce di un genio.. Un privilegio raro averne incrociato il cammino ! Conoscendolo, non si poteva che amarlo.. la sua vitalità, la sua ironia, la sua personalissima originalità e la sua sconfinata nobiltà d’animo toccavano direttamente il cuore di ciascuno.. Unico, per sempre.. Nostro, di tutti noi..

September 2004: first time I met you, joyfully welcoming me at Dartmouth. January 2020: last time I hugged you, after celebrating my mother’s Befana in Italy. In between, too much for now, but I’ll share more. I’m shocked and I cry. Romeo is not informed, but he asked me: “Mamma, hai bisogno di un’abbracciatona?”. I’m splitting it…

Passing along this memory on behalf of Bill Summers’s, Zeke’s Senior Fellowship advisor at Dartmouth: A great shadow has darkened the sky.  The birds have begun their silent mourning.  They sense the powerful moment of someone’s passing.  Nature knows another spirit has retired from the earth, and we who remain behind veil our faces as…