Lindy-Ann Boden-Ritch

'Recollections of a school friend' Ms. Pat Bishop talks about Lindy-Ann Bodden-Ritch

"It always seemed to me that Lindy-Ann was born glued to the piano. It was her talent, her passion. Also an excellent Girl Guide, she was but a test away from becoming a Queen's Guide when she grew up. There are three outstanding points to her character, which I think describe her well - dutiful, diligent and direct. I am sure the young men to whom she teaches music at St. Mary's college would add a forth dimension to this alliteration and that would be DANGER! Do not get it wrong!

And yet no one could be more sensitive to the musical nuisance. In our teens, we were both sent with our younger sisters to Ms. Penner to study German Lieder. Looking back now, it seems a bizarre ting to do. And yet I would say that for both of us, a certain kind of sensibility as to what music can be about was established in those days. We were required to sing and to play and I believe that if today, Lindy-Anne has become the doyenne of the country's accompanists, those early years of precocious study are bound to have made a contribution.

Time and circumstance, study abroad, marriage - these generally keep school friends apart as they get older; but Lindy-Anne was never going to abandon music as I found myself increasingly beguiled by it, it was natural that the friendship would persist.

I am very glad of the opportunity to say, in a public way, thanks to her for making her enormous talent available to the Lydians with such generosity and I can only hope that the performances of 'Turandot' will not let her down.

One last note. Lindy-Anne and I cherish a dream of early retirement from the musical furrow, which we plough in so many ways today. We dream of getting to the concerts early and sitting so that we can see the stage clearly. We shall gaze with approving eyes upon those who take our places. We hope and pray that that day will not be long in coming!"