Music: Sills Takes to the Tube

Not since the days of Rosa Ponselle a half-century ago has the U.S. had as beloved and popular a native operatic soprano as Brooklyn-born Beverly Sills. The Sills phenomenon stems mainly from her unmatched musical and theatrical skills. But it helps that what she has, she flaunts—tirelessly. This season is typical. Sills will give recitals in such cities as Syracuse, Boulder, and Birmingham, Ala. She will also appear as soloist with orchestras in Miami Beach, Houston, and Evansville, Ind., sing Lucia di Lammermoor with opera companies in Milwaukee and Omaha, star at the...