Yesterday, the radio opera was “Manon Lescaut” by Puccini – his first big hit, actually. I always struggle not to laugh when she ends up dying in “the deserts of Louisiana”, but – since it’s set in the 18th century, when French-owned Louisiana stretched much farther west even than the Louisiana Purchase – it’s not nearly as silly as it sounds today. This performance was chosen by soprano Asmik Grigorian, a big fan of Mirella Freni (who was born in the same tiny little town where Luciano Pavarotti was born – there must have been something in the water.) Off to see Virgil now – will check in upon return..
It always warms my heart to see Joe Biden get any credit at all. He deserves so much better.
I do realize some people have difficulty with bats – and that most people are not aware how much bats do for the environment. But how can anyone not find flying foxes adorable?
To the left is King Owlbert, an Alaskan Pygmy Owl who arrived at the rescue center with a drooping wing – hence the strip of red which is supporting it while he heals. He would fit in your hand. There are multiple species of very small owls up around the Arctic Circle, a\such as the Northern Pygmy Owl. But this little man is obviously Superb. Yesterday, the radio opera was Massenet’s “Werther.” It was based on “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” a novel written by Goethe when he was 24. It was first published in 1772, and there were incels then too. However, it was more difficult then to blame women, since they really didn’t have the power to choose whom they married, and at least some of them killed themselves instead of just whining. I’m not saying that was better, just that it happened, as it does in this opera. And it gives Massenet the opening for a really bang-up aria for the tenor – and, yes, it’s a whine, but today’s incels would get more sympathy if they whined like it. OK, off to see Virgil, will check in upon return.
It had not occurred to me that this was a possibility. I hope that other states will follow.
I’m not a dog person – I’ve known a couple I have liked, but I’m basically a cat person. But I am also a person who understands that dog people feel about their dogs the way I feel about my cats. I’ve had cats missing for periods up to a week and then show up. I’ve had cats missing that never showed up. I get the heartbreak. And I get the relief and the joy too.
You kind of have to scroll down here before you can see all the donated art. I consider it good news that so many contributed, and IMO the quality is high.
Yesterday, it didn’t snow (it hasn’t since Monday) and the snow we did have is virtually gone. The radio opera was Arabella by Richard Strauss, which the last summer season also included, so it’s way to soon to say anything else about it. Mostly, I just cleaned out my inbox and committed knitting. I have three projects going, which is rare for me – usually I just work on one till it’s finished.
This doesn’t sound like good news rom the headline. You need to read the story. Then it’s good news.
Veterans. And kids. If you get newsletters from “Read the Smile” and saw this, you might have guessed I would share it.
I am not in the least worried about the birth rate – well, maybe that it’s too high – but this is just sweet.
Yesterday, another day, another death at the hands of (presumably) ICE (CBP is also out and equally lawless.) At least it appears to have turned many Dems away from voting for the appropriation bill which funds ICE. The radio opera was “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.” The Met always refers to it that way, though if there’s another one, I’m not aware of it. I expect everyone has heard something from it – the most likely thing would be “Summertime.” Others often excerpted include “A Woman Is a Sometime Thing,” “My Man’s Gone Now,” “I got plenty of Nothin'” “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” The Gershwins were adamant that it should never be performed unless the cast was 100% black – although I assume that would not include the ICE agents Detective and Policemen, who only have very short spoken parts – just long enough to make the racism clear. (They didn’t specify a black conductor, but today we had that too.) This performance was even more bittersweet that usual – Ryan Speedo Green, a bass-baritone who is still young and on the way up, was in it, and so was Denyce Graves, a diva who has been singing opera for decades and is retiring – this is her last performance -was also in it. During her career, she inspired so many young black singers to consider opera that it is possible – even probable – that without her we would never have heard Speedo either. If that sounds irrelevant, consider how many entertainers in movies and popular music have drawn attention not just for their professional activity, but for their activity in the community – George Clooney, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, and so many more. And that, for good or ill, becomes part of their persona. It’s the same with opera singers. Renee Fleming working with veterans with PTSD and physical injuries through music therapy. Joyce di Donato doing the same in prisons. I’d love all these singers just for their work in opera – but their other activities make it personal for me. They honored her at the end of intermission – with a speech, a facsimile of a plaque which is going up in the Opera House to honor her forever, and a piece of the iconic crystal chandelier (because, like her, it lights up the House.) I can’t say, I wasn’t crying – but I can say she was too. Off to see Virgil now – will check in upon return
I mentioned music therapy in connection with the opera. Bot any and everything that has to do with art and creativity can make a huge difference for veterans – or anyone, really. But I can see why Rocky Mountain PBS featured this from the Denver Art Museum.
I had no idea that this was even possible. Virgil has a form of red/green color blindness – he can see true red (crayon red) and reds that are on the blue side. But the more brown there is in something that is rea, the more green it looks to him, and all browns look green. And greens look brown. Not that it would have helped to know about it – it’s clearly pretty pricey. And it’s too late now – even if I could get one, it would be illegal to send it to him.
Yesterday, the radio opera was “Carmen” by George Bizet. There’s not much I don’t know about Carmen (although I did learn something today from the tenor in an intermission interview, he pointed out that Carmen never tells Jose she loves him. And he is 100% correct. She implies it once or twice, and says it to others, but never says it to him.) I played first chair second violin in a student production when I was studying music (I didn’t play it well, despite the work I put in, both practicing and listening) but I did play it, and the production was a success in spite of me. I’ve heard and seen so many productions I can’t remember them all. I’ve seen the movie “Carmen Jones” (in which Marilyn Horne sang for Dorothy Dandridge.) If I can’t get to sleep on account od an earworm, there’s probably about a 30% chance it’s from Carmen. A couple of seasons ago the Met put it on with a French mezzo and the announcers were excited to hear it, I presume because Bizet was French. But no one in Carmen is French. Carmen, her two gal pals, and the leaders of the smugglers, and part of the time the chorus, are Romani. Everyone else is Spanish (Jose and Micaela (and if so, Jose) may have been Basque, or may not.) The only thing in the opera which sounds remotely French is the “Flower Song,” and Carmen doesn’t sing that – Jose does. Yesterday’s Carmen was Aigul Akhmetshina, who is Bashkir – not Romani, but the Bashkir people were nomadic at one time. In the absence of any mezzos who are Romani, I’m more excited by this. Also yesterday, I received an email informing me that the trauma combat surgeon who saved the life of Tammy Duckworth in Iraq is now running for Congress in New Jersey. He joins a record number of medical and scientific professionals who are doing the same.
“Colorado Chooses Vaccines is a broad, statewide coalition of healthcare providers, public health leaders, and community organizations working together to protect vaccine access and trust.” from the coalition’s website. I’m proud of Colorado for doing this. And of Coloradans like Carol Boigon don’t let physical disabilities stand in the way of their public service.
Yesterday, the radio opera was I Puritani by Vincenzo Bellini, AKA “The Swan of Catania” (where he was born.) You might say this opera was his “swan song,” as he died the same year it premiered, at the age of 33. I missed most of the first act – I set my alarm but forgot to activate it – but at least I didn’t miss the big mad scene, and even caught the first use of the melody from it. Elvira is very fragile – but if I were being pushed to marry a MAGA who was stalking me I might go a little crazy myself. Not that the Cavaliers were perfect – the British Civil War was between the Bad Guys and the Not Quite As Bad Guys. At least the Cavaliers were not killjoys. The Puritans, when they won, actually outlawed Christmas. But the I Puritani mad scene is IMO the most beautiful mad scene in all of opera – and there is a lot of competition. also, it was Queen Victoria’s favorite opera – for what that’s worth. On the positive side, at least the blog’s scheduling feature appears to be working again – at least it worked for yesterday. off to see Virgil now. Will check in upon return.
Yes, I’m still a sucker for news about veterans. Especially good news.
And I’m also a sucker for good news about young people shouldering responsibility for community.
This is not new and may not be current. If not – well, it was good while it lasted.
This is a “short”, and I don’t seem to be able to embed it without using the block editor, so you’ll have to use the link” https://youtube.com/shorts/DfwZqx05FaQ
Yesterday, The radio opera was Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in the abridged version and English translation they put on around Christmas-New Year’s Day every year because the kids are out of school. It’s always fun, and generally as much for the cast as it is for the audience – maybe even more. Although it’s contagious.
From The Borowitz Report. Not terribly funny – more of an “Oregon Leads the Way” story – a story which would have made TomCat even prouder of his city. Am I selectively remembering, or are these Portland heroes mostly sheros? (I couldn’t help but think of “Naked Athena.”
Yes, another veteran story, and a Colorado Springs story at that. (Colorado Springs has a lot of veterans, including even some Navy/Marine vets, although the Air Force Academy proximity along with Fort Carson account for the bulk of us.) And so many are struggling.
This happened on December 16. It should last until the Cantaloupe Caligula finds out about it. I hope it lasts longer. The comments from party leaders are revealing.
Yesterday, the radio opera was “Andrea Chénier” by Umberto Giordano. It is loosely based on the last days of French poet André Chénier who was a victim of the French Revolution. Not surprisingly, an opera about a poet has multiple arias for the character (a tenor) – four, in fact, of which the best known is “Come un bel di di Maggio” (“Like a lovely day in May.”)The plot is a bit reminiscent of “A Tale of Two Cities,” except that here it’s the woman who takes a prisoner’s place, and not to save her, but in order to die with her lover. Hey, it’s opera. What did you expect, a happy ending? OK, I’m off to see Virgil – will check in upon return.
I’m not the one to comment intelligently on this story referred by The Smile – instead, it is right up Nameless’s alley. (And this story barely scratches the surface.)
Even in darkest Louisiana there are still good humans. This is one. I wish him well. There is a video at the link.
I’m not trying to tell anyone where to shop. However, I know I sometimes find it difficult to find vendors whom I know are not MAGA, so I’m passing on this link from Daily Dose of Democracy in case it will help anyone.
