Willie Nelson sings it. I'm sure some others sing it, too, but not like Willie! Now I want you to know that I don't live in the world of country music -- nor do I live in the world of opera. What some people who live in the world of opera and look down their noses at country music don't know, or haven't admitted, is that the story-line of opera and country music is often the same. It's the story of love and loss, of pain and suffering, of shattered dreams and courageous perseverance.

Consider this line from Conway Twitty's most recent album. "I couldn't see you leaving, but I can see you're gone."

Now consider this line from the opera, La Wally. Kallen Machen sang an aria from this opera at her marvelous concert a few weeks ago. The subject of the opera is the frustrated love of a young …