From Beth Yarus of TravelMasters, on how mezzo-soprano Susan Graham came to be having a CD signing in an eyewear shop:

I’ve been Susan’s travel agent for over 20 years and have been thrilled to watch her career go into the stratosphere.

Providing personal service to Susan has often brought new challenges to my job - like the time her dog Libby (who has since passed away) dropped her favorite ball down a sewer grate in Salzburg and I found her another one and got it to her a couple of days later. Or getting Susan’s luggage off a plane in another city and getting it transferred to the one she was currently on (that was really hard) or getting her off of a delayed flight and onto another one faster than the speed of sound, beating Tim Robbins (the actor) to the seat.

I’ve been very fortunate to be able to see and hear her perform at many different venues throughout the world and each has been a great experience. Susan is an extremely kind, thoughtful and generous person who gives so much to so many it has been a joy working with her. (Okay, sometimes I bang my head)

Last year when Susan was performing in St. Louis I had my friends Mike and Wendy Harris attend her performance. Mike owns Eyewearhaus and was wearing some invisible frames that night and Susan loved them. When Susan saw them he handed them over and she started wearing them immediately. Susan came back to St. Louis last spring and got several other pairs. Mike’s wife is a glass artist and Susan wears many of her pieces.

So when it was certain she was coming we wanted to make it a bit more special — so we decided to do the party at Mike’s office this Wednesday.

Susan’s God Dog, Sophie La Divina comes to work everyday (picture of Susan & Sophie attached). When she is well behaved I thank Susan for encouraging me to get her; when she isn’t I threaten Susan with custody.