There is a term in singing “sotto voce” and it refers to singing in a quiet voice. Sotto Voce is the best way to describe our long time Rotary Club member Anne Bosch. Anne is a “sotto voce” in her professional and personal life. Few people know that inside this quiet voice is a wealth of knowledge. Besides knowing every IRS tax law which impacts her client’s personal income taxes as a tax accountant, this Rotarian has an impressive 40+ year knowledge of all things opera and ballet.
For most of us, our knowledge of opera and ballet is limited. However, when it comes to Anne, she knows everything about opera singers, ballet artists, the schedules of the New York Metropolitan Opera, The San Francisco Opera, Chicago Opera, as well as operas and ballets in other countries. As a matter of fact, Anne has traveled with other opera aficionados to enjoy performances all over the world. Her destinations also includes Cooperstown New York. While the rest of have visited the Baseball Hall of Fame, Anne has been to the Glimmerglass Opera Festival in Cooperstown.
How did this tax accountant become obsessed with the performing arts? It all started when her then boyfriend Bob took her to see The Flying Dutchman Opera on their first date. Not only did she fall in love with and marry Bob, she also fell in love with Opera. Although she has never performed in opera or ballet, her appreciation for all aspects of opera and ballet have held her attention for decades. Anne appreciates the fact that some of these operas and ballets have been performed for centuries and yet their modern interpretation and performances remain spellbinding. When asked about her favorites, she includes many of the names we recognize such as Carmen and Tosca the political thriller, set in Rome in June 1800 (during the Napoleonic wars and a time of great political unrest).
This past year during COVID 19 has been difficult because all live performances were cancelled during the 2020 opera and ballet season. However, that didn’t stop Anne. During the past year, she found several streaming and taped performances on PBS as well as Opera in the theater at AMC 16 at the Garden State Plaza. Anne looks forward to this coming season and the resumption of live performances!
When Anne isn’t at Lincoln Center in New York City, she can be found enjoying time with her daughter and her family who live in Northern NJ or visiting Phoenix the home of her son and his family. Anne has also traveled the world and this photo captures her “relaxing” at Machu Picchu which is approximately 8,000 feet above sea level!
To Anne, we say "Toi toi toi" which is an expression used in the performing arts to wish an artist success in an imminent performance and her exciting life!
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