The results are in and the verdict is unanimous: There is a whole lot of love in Philadelphia!
With over 150 entries and more than 200 pages of passion, longing and romance to sift through, the Opera Company of Philadelphia thanks all who bared their souls and entered the Cyrano Ultimate Love Letters Contest! We received letters from boyfriends and girlfriends, spouses, parents, children, letters to teen idols – and more than one love letter to a faithful pet!
The celebrity judges had a hard time weighing in, too. Said B101-FM’s Dan Blackman, “They were all great!” Action News/6ABC News Anchor Tamala Edwards shared, "I found myself smiling and tearing up at the same time. So much love! Stop and smell these Valentine roses." Soprano Evelyn Pollock, who sings Roxane in the Opera Company’s East Coast Premiere, shared, "Each letter offered me an intimate peek into someone's mind and heart. I am touched! I must say it was hard to "rate" peoples' innermost feelings, and I applaud the bravery of all who entered. Congratulations to the winners!" Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame Broadcaster Harry Kalas sent his results with a poem of his own, saying of the entries that affected him most, “The fellowship and love of friends is wonderful to see. But nothing is so precious as love of family!”
Congratulations to all of the entries, and enjoy a sampling of the results below!
Grand Prize Winner: Alexandria, Downingtown, PA
Dinner for two at Le Bec-Fin and Limo transport from Preferred Car and Limousine;
Box Seats to the Opera and Champagne Reception
An Apology to my Beloved;
A single mattress, I cannot say,
Was meant for man and woman to together lay,
And a single pillow will never do,
For nights when there are sleeping two.
Love weaves a shelter above our head,
But beneath us lays a shrinking bed,
And a larger blanket would surely do,
Or some candlelight by which to woo.
Let us build a place where we could hide,
Egyptian cotton and a crashing tide,
Where we lose each other in the sheet,
Not till dawn again to meet.
The grandest palace of man’s design,
Bearskin rugs and silks divine,
Miles to roll while counting sheep,
A private island of tender sleep.
Yet in all that space I know we would find,
Every morning to wake entwined.
Two Runners-Up!
Prime Seating to the Opera and Champagne Reception
Heather, Slatington, PA
(To her fiancé, a UPS driver)
To the hands that hold my heart:
Almost without trying, I can picture you: the square of your palm, your strong fingers, all those tiny scars from long-forgotten injuries… For all the work that you’ve done so far—the long hours spent gripping the steering wheel, shifting gears, and sorting and delivering packages—thank you. I know that you’re working to shape a future for us.
Not only can I picture you, but I can feel you. I can remember your warm fingertips on my skin long after I’ve said goodbye, and you’ve slipped away for the night. On the days that I can’t feel your touch, I often reread the many notes that you’ve penned to me. For your written compliments, secrets, and promises—thank you.
Through all that you’ve done—the letters written, phone calls dialed, backrubs given, meals cooked, and tears wiped away—you have shaped my life and captured my heart. I will hold onto you forever.
Gloria, Elkins Park, PA
My dear wonderful husband of 51 years,
The time has flown by, the children are grown, the dog has died and we are still together. We have never gone to bed with out a kiss good nite, in bad times and good.
Illness has gotten to the both of us. but we're still here.
The pj's are a little frayed and the sheets are not new but we are still here.
I could go on and on - we argue, we make up but we are still here. As the days grow shorter in time I dread the day, as do you that one of us are not here.But until that day arrives we will be here, we still hold hands when we walk, and enjoy the sun and the moon, the trees in bloom and the snow on the ground, as we get older the simple things in life are better. Food tastes better, the weather no matter what it's doing is fine with us.
Here is my LOVE LETTER to you because, I'm oh so very glad you are here.
With all my love,
(your pet name for me)
Excerpts from Honorable Mentions:
Randy, Marlton, NJ
As I sat there at 6:00 in the morning yesterday, waiting to be called for a scheduled medical procedure, I looked over at the person who set her alarm at 5:00 in the morning to drive me, and now waits to take me home afterward. She pats my arm and smiles, putting me at ease. I remember a line from a show called- "My So-Called Life" that has always stayed with me- "SOMETIMES SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING REALLY SMALL AND IT JUST FITS INTO THIS EMPTY PLACE IN YOUR HEART."---and never is it more apparent than in respect to my daughter, and her caring, loving nature. You see, though I know its a little different, this is my take on the "ULTIMATE LOVE LETTER"- and though this isn't prose along the lines of Scarlett and Rhett, Catherine and Heathcliff, Romeo and Juliet, or even Charlie Brown and his "red-haired girl", what it is, is a letter about an amazing person in my life, who shows her love and kindness constantly. and who's had claim to my heart from day one.
Sandra, Medford, NJ
To My Beloved Husband:
It has been thirty five years now since we first met at that little club on the Roosevelt Boulevard called "The Scene". I knew immediately that night that you were the one for me. We began dating and six months later we were engaged.
That summer we were married at the Shelron in Philadelphia and our life together began. I was so proud to be married to a young handsome high school assistant principal. I envied your job. I was a secretary for INA in Philadelphia and wanted so much to be in the teaching field. You encouraged me to go to school and take one course at a time and so I did. I enrolled at Rowan University and six years later I found myself in the classroom as well. You have been an inspiration and have always encouraged me to become a better person. We had two beautiful and talented girls together and have recently become grandparents for the first time. You have always been my best friend and sweetheart. We are inseparable!
Marijane, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Honey, I do not regret one single moment of the last five years. While we (mostly me) went through some very difficult times, you were my rock. When I came home and you held me in your arms, all was right with the world.
So now I pledge to you, as I did on our wedding day, almost four years ago, my heart, my soul and my body. You are my everything! Not a day goes by that I do not thank God for helping us find our way back to each other.
I love you yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Harry, Haddonfield, NJ
To My Colleague Down the Hall Who Borrowed My Stapler 63 days Ago:
The stapler of which I speak is a dark maroon Swingline, model #646. It was not particularly expensive, but it feels balanced in my hand and has a particularly satisfying ca-chunk when put to use. It delivers each staple with precision and power -- no mangling of the staple’s little feet, no partial insertions, no peevish jamming. I can assemble 57 thick packets of handouts in 13 minutes with this stapler. No doubt you have discovered likewise.
Sixty-three days ago, just as I was pulling my stapler out of my desk drawer, you came flying by my cubicle. You saw the 646 in my hand and you cried out, Oh my God, please let me borrow that! You clutched a precarious pile of papers and binders in your arms. I saw desperation in your eyes. I also saw blue-green irises speckled with gold, an adorably scalloped upper lip, flushed, glowing cheeks, and sweetly uneven ear lobes. Normally I resist lending out my stapler, but I confess your visage startled me, so without uttering a word, I took my Swingline and carefully placed it on top of your bundle. You sighed deeply and uttered a breathless thank you, and then you were gone.
Thank you to all the contestants! Happy Valentine’s Day
from the Opera Company of Philadelphia!
*********************************
The Opera Company of Philadelphia challenges you, Philadelphia, to unleash your romantic spirit just in time for Valentine's Day! Entries are currently being accepted for the ultimate love letter as we gear up for the East Coast Premiere of Cyrano, based on the famed literary classic Cyrano de Bergerac and running in five performances, February 8th through 17th at the Academy of Music. Enter online by clicking below, and your letter will be judged by our celebrity panel, including Hall of Fame "Voice of the Phillies" Harry Kalas; 6ABC/Action News Anchor Tamala Edwards; B101 radio personality Dan Blackman; and Roxane herself, the stunning soprano Evelyn Pollock, who creates the role. Winners will be notified on February 6th, in time to have the perfect Valentine's Day gift in the bag!
Grand Prize:
February 15th
A personal limousine for the evening, generously provided by Preferred Car & Limousine of Philadelphia
6:00 dinner generously provided by Le Bec-Fin
8:00 box seating to the East Coast Premiere of Cyrano
Invitation to the champagne intermission reception in the Academy Ballroom
Two Honorable Mentions:
A pair of seats to the East Coast Premiere of Cyrano on February 15th
Invitation to the champagne intermission reception in the Academy Ballroom
In Cyrano, both the title character and Christian are in love with the beautiful Roxane. While Christian is young and handsome, Cyrano -- the great, swashbuckling swordsman -- sports a larger-than-life nose and has little luck in love. A poet with a beautiful soul, Cyrano agrees to write letters for the somewhat inarticulate Christian and help him woo Roxane. Cyrano makes himself a heartbroken accomplice to their love -- but ultimately wins Roxane's love.
Thankfully, the Opera Company of Philadelphia contest is a much simpler proposition. So dust off those old love letters -- or write a new one!
There are no age or purchase restrictions, but applicants must live within an 60-mile radius of Philadelphia. Your love letter may be published on the Opera Company of Philadelphia website -- anonymously, if you prefer. Entries are due by 5pm on Friday, February 1st. Winners will be announced at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008.
There is no limit on length for your love letter submission. We want to encourage creativity! So, grab your pen (or keyboard) – and get ready to fall in love with Cyrano!
The deadline for our Ultimate Love Letter Contest has now past.
Thank you to everyone who entered! The Grand Prize and Honorable Mention Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 6th!
