FanFaire: We heard that Peter Russell and you go a long ways. When did you first meet Peter Russell?

HEPPNER: I met Peter in 1988. For some reason I can remember the date. It was February 1 and it was in Toronto. He was a judge in the Metropolitan Opera Competition. The first round I actually did in Cleveland. And the second round was February 1 of '88 and he was one of 3 judges - Peter Russell, Thomas Grubb and Carol Neblett. They were the judges. That was the first time I came in contact with him. And then when I went to the Met for the next round which happened in end of March or early April. Then he was working in the Young Artists Program, so we got to know each other. And then he brought me to Washington to do an opera in concert - Andrea Chénier. We haven't seen each other in a long time, but I met him at the Met 17 years ago.

FanFaire: And Ellie Caulkins? She's a great fan of yours.

HEPPNER: I don't remember this for sure, but it might have been in '88 with the first competition. But in any event I'd met her occasionally along the way.

But the first time I really remember having a longer sort of a conversation with her was when I was walking with my wife from the stage door at the Met up on Broadway going towards the place where I was staying. Ellie was there and she struck up a conversation with us. Of course, she was on the board for many years, still is. We had a lovely chat and she told me about this new opera house, and said she'd love to get me there for the opening, if I was available.

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