Opera – Politics Plus

Open Thread July 20 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:58 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 202026

Wednesday, after watching I Puritani, I ordered a DVD of Lorin Maazel’s opera “1984,” which arrived Saturday. Maazel was best known as a conductor, but he alo played the violin and composed. He (and/or his stage manager and director) was certainly able to pull together a stellar cast – Simon Keenlyside, Richard Margison, Diana Damrau, Lawrence Brownlee, and more. Jeremy Irons (in absentia – he taped it) was the voice on the telescreen. The only less familiar name there is Richard Margison -I’m aware of him because he is agenuine heldentenor who doesn’t look terribly heroic – which makes him perfect for O’Brien. (He’d also be a stunning Peter Grimes, though I can’t find a record of his having sung it.) He’s better known in Canada, his home country, than here. It’s on two DVDs, so I may not watch both in the same day. We’ll see.

I have to throw in that someone referred yo Mitch McConnel as “Schrödinger’s Senator.”

I have a question for y’all. I’m catching up on pet video so I may have a couple of months worth again. As you know, many rescues are of abandoned animals, one I just picked up is if an animal who was “abandoned” because ICE deported his family. Should I put a hanky alert on it (and on similar ones)?

Well, this is close to home for me. There used to be a theory – or a superstition – that events come in threes. I hope that works for this. We could all use a little break. I also hope this victim recovers fully. “Lower body” is pretty vague – and I’m visualizing things lik a broken hip, a broken pelvis, even a broken femur.

I envy anyone who has time or energy for hiking in the woods, or even dealing with a yard. But you may know and care about someone who does. And precaution are always easier than remedies.

Archived from The Guardian. When I read the allegation, I thought, “Oh, he probably donated money to help the starving in Gaza.” Bingo.

Open Thread July 19 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:56 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 192026

Yesterday, the Radio Opera was Boris Godunov, starring Bryn Terfel, in the original 1869 version, which, among other things, has no scene in Poland with an alluring soprano. The main female solo voice are those of Boris’s daughter (who IIRC is around 8-10) and her nanny. (His some is also pre-pubertal, so that’s also in the higher range), and they are only in a couple of scenes. Boris isn’t in every scene (those plotting to bring him down don’t plan in front of him) but he is in most scenes. Mussorgsky wanted it to be in the mold of a Sheakespearean tragedy, so there is some humor in it. At one point a policeman, with a warrant for another character – can’t read -so the guy he’s looking for offers to read it for him, but substitutes another person’s description for his own, so the policeman grabs the other guy. That may not be screamingly funny – but then neither is the porter in MacBeth. I will say the feature in my browser that lets me increase volume betond what a website can do got a workout. That’s not a criticism. A wide range of volume is a good thing and a mark of real musicians. But my house doen’t have the acoustics an opera house has.

This is long, especially for a Sunday, but I found it very rewarding. Thanks to our Mitch for the link.

This may be a bit overdue – but maybe I’m not taking the problems seriously enough. In any case, it’s a good thing – and not surprising in a state which keeps electing Bernie.

https://www.rmpbs.org/news/science-environment/aspen-acres-fire-animal-rescue
Just as Mr. Rogers mother always told him – “[When there’s a disaster] look for the helpers.”

From the 19th. I was lucky – I lived close enough to home that I could just stay there. Most people are not that fortunate. And we as a nation need those people who want the education to get it. We need them much more than we need the “fortunate sons.”

Open Thread July 12 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:02 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 122026

Yesterday, the radio opera was The Makropulos Affair, based on a 1922 play of the same name by Karel Čapek – the same guy who populized the word “robot.” The opera is about immortality – and why it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’ll just stop there and go off to visit Virgil. And check in upon return (which may take a while – it’s supposed to be quite warm.)

I’m always interested in, and often excited by, medical good news. At 80, I don’t expect to benefit personally from this news, but, having empathy, I can appreciate its life changing nature. And – if this can be done with stem cells (and stem cells can be made from other cells), what else will be possible?

This was recorded a day or two before she arrived. So I can tell you she made it – and broke records – by a lot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelsey_Pfendler

You don’t often see much good news from The Root – and when you do, it’s likely to be bittersweet, as is this one. But I am always inspired by a celebrity stepping in to console and encourage a child.

Short and sweet. And don’t mess with Bella.

I think this is just as sweet as when both are in the military, and they are reuniting.

Open Thread June 28 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 282026

Yesterday, the radio opera (should I be saying “the on line opera” until December? Naah.) was Ariodante by Handel, composed in the early 1700s. It’s based on two (out of 46) cantos of the epic chivalric romance Orlando Furioso (Orlando is the Italian form of Roland – yes, that Roland), which dates to the early 1500s, and was itself based on the Chanson de Roland, which dates back to the 11th sentury, and was inspired by the (presumed historical) death of Roland, who was a knight of Charlemagne, who, IIRC, became Emperor in 800, so, the 9th century. Roland is not a character in the opera, which is set in Scotland(!), has minimal chorus, but does have a dance in each of its three acts, includes a mad scene for the prima donna, and is generally melodramatic. Anyone who has ever heard “Messiah” or any excerpts from it knows that the man could write music. Heck, he could paint pictures with the notes he wrote. But I’m off to see Virgil now – will check in when home. Meanwhile, let’s jump into the pool.

https://jojofromjerz.substack.com/p/the-sun-confesses
I have shared JoJo before purely for the excellence of her writing, and now I am again. Last time it was a rant. This time it is – I’m not quite sure – maybe an allegory. But if it doesn’t make you smile at least once – take a a deep breath, leave the computer and do something else that revitalizes you.

https://abcnews.com/video/134102842/
I hope this is visible and audible. It happened om Father’s Day.

https://joycevance.substack.com/p/five-questions-with-the-chickens
To be frank, this is not exactly good news. What it does have is a lot of cute photos illustrating good advice for staying sane. (Today’s not-a-cartoon is from it.)

Open Thread May 17 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:50 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

May 172026

Yesterday, the radio opera was Verdi’s “Don Carlo” in an archival recording from 1950. Most of the characters in it were real people, although they weren’t much like the way they they are portrayed in it. It’s true that the real Carlos was opposed to the Pope and the Inquisition, and sympathetic to the Protestants in Flanders which was then under Spanish rule, and that his father, King Philip, felt the opposite. It’s also true that Elizabeth of Valois was engaged to Carlos before the politics changed and she married his father instead, And his father may have wanted to kill him, but instead just locked him up. It is almost certainly not true that he and Elzabeth were in love – that was not a thing in royal marriages – and he was physically and mentally deformed – he was one of the last Habsburgs – the most inbred royals since ancient Egypt. The one character who was made up (not by Verdi, but by the playwright from whom Schiller borrowed for his plat “Don Karlos”) is Rodrigo – who gets the best music.

If you ever get a chance to attend one of these, don’t hesitate. Be there. Even just reding about one is revitalizing. Being there is a whole other level.

Even in Florida, there are still good people. (Even in law enforcement.)

And this is another reason why, though I no longer have any furbabies, I always look at Chewy first when I need something for myself that might be useful for an animal – like a white noise generator, or a broom that basically picks up hair, or a high powered laundry additive. Chewy is not your normal corporation. Chewy actually cares.

Open Thread April 26 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:04 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 262026

Yesterday, the radio opera was “La Sonnambula” by Vincenzo Bellini. It’s classified as an opera semiseria, and yes, that means “halfway serious.” The serious part is the information on sleepwalking, which most people at the time it was written had never heard of, Aside from that, it’s basically a rom com. Bellini was known as “The Swan of Catania,” and was – and is today – afmired for his graceful melodies, which were characteristic of the “bel canto” period, but his really did stand above others.. He died at age 33, and a quotation from the libretto of “La Sonnambula” is engraved on his tombstone – a couple of lines about not expecing a flower would have withered so soon. I was having issues getting into my inbox, which have slowed me down, so please be patient with me until I can get back in. I now uaw Substack so much Ihave lots of places to look, but I’ll still miss some news. Today seems to be a predominantly feline day – even the composer of yestersay’s opera is from Catania.

Archived from 11alive, wherever that is -referred by The Smile. Isn’t Boone gotgeous?

From kitv,wherever that is. Lucky kitties!

Forwarded by our Mitch. Pictures are one thing, and these are amazing – but the project has also halped rangers care for and conserve all the species.

Open Thread April 19 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 192026

Yesterday, I listened to the opera “Innocence” by Kaija Saariaho – her last opera before she died in 2023. I’m not even going to try to describe or explain it – instead, I’ll give you a link to the Wikipedia article – and I encourage you to go there, scroll almost down to the bottom, and open (click on “[show]”) the list “School shootings outside of the United States”. If you live in the US as I do, you may well be under the impression, as I was, that the US is the only country on earth which experiences school shootings. In reality, there have been school shootings in every continent in the world, and in some islands which are not associated with continents – beginning in 1910 in Germany. And, starting in 1990,, there are only four years in which there has not been a school shooting outside the US – 1993, 1995, 2001, and 2010. But 2022, 2023, and especially 2026 made up for them. You will be astounded. Granted that there is certainly no country which comes close to matching our record – but we are certainly not unique, as we have been led to believe. But – on to better news. I am off to see Virgil now and will check in upon return.

I don’t remember saying, but I do remember thinking – when Barbara Lee became mayor – that Oakland is going to have a golden age. No, she didn’t accomplish this personally, nor even personally inspire it – but you can bet any important body part that she supported it and maybe even created the climate in which it was born.

As a general rule, I’m not a big fan of home schooling. But – when it works – it really works. And especially when it has quality like this to work with.

You may have to start this video – but once started, it’s on loop. So you won’t need to miss anything.

An extra because my introduction is more depressing than I want for Sundays. It’s maybe less consequential than the first three – but still sweet.

Open Thread April 5 2026

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Holiday, Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 052026

Yesterday, the radio opera was La Gioconda. You have heard part of it, since this is the opera from which the Dance of the Hours comes, and if “Fantasia” didn’t do it for you, Allan Sherman or Spike Jones did. The performance is from 1968, but airing it yesterday was to celebrate its 1ts 150th anniversary. It’s (accurately) described as a melodrama, so I won’t go into detail. Today’s featured image is a pysanky (or pysanka) or Ukrainian Easter egg. Happy Easter to all who celebrate, and Happy Passover to all who celebrate. Off to see Virgil now – will check in.[

From The Root regarding Artemis 2. There is also a woman in the crew. I don’t know how they got it past the emperor.

From ABC News referred by The Smile. This is sweet. Joe Biden got to ring the bell when his cancer was gone, but he didn’t do this. And I certainly couldn’t – not ever – not at any age.

From CBS News, also referred by The Smile. This is so much better than the “Alpha Male Camp” earlier this week.

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