Model’s husband apologizes, wants to stay together

New York – Christie Brinkley’s estranged husband has been silent about recent reports that he had an affair with an 18-year-old employee while married to the supermodel. Now his reportedly desperate apology is receiving a very public airing.

“This is an aberration,” Peter Cook, 47, said through a lawyer, according to a column by Cindy Adams published Tuesday in the New York Post. “I’m sorry. I’m contrite. I’m stupid. Foolish. No excuse.”

Sheresky said Cook, the model’s fourth husband, is hoping for a reconciliation with Brinkley, 52. He defended Cook as a “man who loves his wife and who loves his children.”

The couple, who were married in 1996, have an 8-year-old daughter, Sailor. Cook adopted Brinkley’s son, Jack, now 11, from her marriage to Richard Taubman. Brinkley’s publicist, Elliot Mintz, told The Associated Press early Tuesday that he didn’t believe she would issue a response.

Russian opera star receives Austrian citizenship

Vienna, Austria – The government has granted Austrian citizenship to Russian diva Anna Netrebko, citing “her special merits” as one of the world’s most sought-after opera stars.

Netrebko, who will retain her Russian passport, was given Austrian citizenship under special provisions that put athletes, entertainers, artists and other celebrities on the fast track. She formally applied in March.

The decision was made just a day before Netrebko, 34, was to take the stage as Susanna in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)” – the much-awaited production that opens the opera performances at the Salzburg Festival.

Netrebko has been described by critics as “the new Callas” and “Audrey Hepburn with a voice.” Since her triumphant 1995 San Francisco Opera debut, she has starred with opera companies and symphony orchestras around the world.

The musical portion of this year’s festival – the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth – is focused on Austria’s favorite son, with all 22 of his stage works being performed.

Back to rock ‘n’ roll

New York – Rod Stewart returns to rock with his new album, “Still the Same … Great Rock Classics of Our Time,” set for release this fall.

“Still the Same” is Stewart’s first rock album in over eight years, J Records announced Monday.

Tracks include Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You,” Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love,” Bob Seger’s “Still the Same” and John Fogerty’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” which will be the first radio single from the album, the record label said.

The album will be released Oct. 10.