You're welcome - I was very surprised. I wasn't expecting much at all, but compared to Verdi's Oberto for example it's impressive. A shame Nicolai died so young. In ictu oculi (talk) 06:44, 5 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]
Your name came up on a Wikipediocracy thread about solid content writers who don't get the credit they deserve and I just wanted to drop by and do a little of that. Thanks for your work on behalf of The Project! Carrite (talk) 15:26, 31 March 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Incredible. I started Dr. Sun Yat-sen (opera) as a stub knowing I would never get around to doing a proper job, but thinking that it was important enough for Hong Kong and a stub was better than nothing. What you have done is nothing short of exemplary. I bow the knee. In ictu oculi (talk) 00:10, 18 July 2014 (UTC)[reply]
in expanding our knowledge about Verdi's operas and the Santa Fé Opera, based on passionate love, as a model to last!
Rest in peace, Viva-Verdi
We have just learned that John Webber, who edited Wikipedia as Viva-Verdi, died in March 2015 (his Obituary and Guest Book in The Santa Fe New Mexican). He had been an editor here since 2005 and was one of the most active and helpful members of WikiProject Opera. He will be greatly missed by all his colleagues there. Rest in peace, Viva-Verdi...
My deepest sympathy to friends, family and co-workers. He did so much to improve WikiP and I will have fond memories of him each time I am in the audience at the Santa Fe Opera. MarnetteD|Talk22:36, 10 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
So sorry, that we have lost him. He was a true encyclopedist of the best kind. Thanks for Your efforts to improve our project. And my deepest sympathy to all his friends and to his family. We will not forget You.--Meister und Margarita (talk) 06:47, 11 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
Rest with the angels, Viva-Verdi. Thank you for all your knowledgeable and tireless contributions to Wikipedia since 2005, especially to music articles. Bless you. Softlavender (talk) 09:28, 11 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
John, if it's true that a life isn't over until the last traces and memories have gone, then your work, and life and efforts here and elsewhere guarantee that you will live on for many years to come.
You were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and molto simpatico .. I am so glad that we had the chance to meet, and split a few bottles of Malbec on your trips to London -- I wish there could have been more. All the best. Scarabocchio (talk) 12:06, 11 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
I am so shocked and sad to hear of this. I had the pleasure of lunching with John when he was in London a year or so ago, and he was as delightful in person as he was erudite on the page. We had been working together, on and off, on the Falstaff article, and as my tribute to this fine editor and lovely human I promise to do my utmost to get the article to FA. Tim riley talk13:23, 11 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
And now done. John wasn't much fussed about FA or GA status, I think, but still I am pleased to have got this article to FA as a lasting remembrance of him. Thank you to all who helped, and thank you, dear John – so much! Tim riley talk14:32, 27 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
Indeed, per Ched and Tim. Thankyou for all you did, thankyou to his family for what he did, and RIP. I am playing This now and will listen to the whole thing as I continue to edit if that means anything.♦ Dr. Blofeld16:44, 11 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
We can ill afford to lose such knowledgeable and whole-hearted classical music editors. He could be quite feisty at times – he and I clashed once or twice – but I think there was mutual respect, and I'm sure we would have enjoyed meeting each other. I'll happily help on the Falstaff project, if @Tim riley: needs me. Brianboulton (talk) 17:13, 11 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
I never worked with John, but it is clear from these comments that the movement has lost someone both passionate and friendly. Less than two hours ago, I was talking with someone about another Wikipedian who passed away, and how that had been simultaneously sad and also a poignant reminder that the friendships we form here are real, heartfelt, and lasting. John will be in my thoughts this week, and I suspect those of others—hopefully, with time, in that positive way as well as the obvious negative one. With deepest respect, and on behalf of the staff of the Wikimedia Foundation, —Luis V. (WMF) (talk) 20:56, 11 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
Your keen mind and bright spirit will be remembered. Those of us from the opera project will particularly miss your presence in our conversations and projects. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones. Best wishes.4meter4 (talk) 02:13, 13 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]
I've had a few online chats with Viva-Verdi - most recently after my only trip to Santa Fe to see Arabella, King Roger and Maometto II in 2012. When I got back to England, I hadn't realised that he'd been working for Santa Fe for some years and I said that I'd look him up next time. Alas, there was no next time, R.I.P. GuillaumeTell17:35, 14 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]
He sent me a message in Sept 2014 and I only just saw it. I am sorry I didn't understand that people leave messages. I will follow his request to continue adding information about my brother, a director of operas, Peter Mark Schifter. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jamalily (talk • contribs) 05:18, 18 September 2015 (UTC)[reply]
