A Farewell to David Cox

The Earth has lost a great soul. David Cox was the godfather of San Jose State's concert choir, and went on to lead the charge as a singer and stage director in the first decade of Opera San Jose. Sadly, we were never as close as we might have been, but our careers ran alongside each other, and I name-checked him in a novel (for his brilliant work on Eugene Onegin). I was honored that he spent some of his chemo time reading my opera novel, Gabriella's Voice (chastising me for not including better arias), and we had a spirited debate over the role of critics. He told me to always keep in mind the hours of toil that go into a singer's work, and that I will do. Farewell, friend. Bravo! for a life grandly lived.