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September 26, 2009:

BK GOES TO THE OPERA

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, I’ve been to the opera. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I, BK, have been to the opera and I wasn’t even a phantom. No, there I sat, fifth row center, seeing The Elixir of Love, which, by the way, is the title of my next novel. I kept waiting for them to sing the famous aria Love Potion Number 9, but they must have cut it for this production. I must say, the thrilling part of seeing the opera was hearing those incredible voices with no amplification (maybe some floor mics, but nothing major) – yes, Virginia, you heard that right – no head mics, and a huge orchestra to boot, and yet we could hear every word clearly and beautifully. Quite a change from the overamplified hyped-up sound of Broadway, where it’s really hard to tell who’s singing because they’ve got everyone coming out of the same speakers. While the music of The Elixir Of Love is not really to my taste, I found the opera to be fun, fast-paced, and even delightfully delightful. The cast was excellent – the only name I recognized was Nathan Gunn, who I think is a favorite around these here parts. The only thing that went on too long was the eight-minute curtain call – enough already. Ironically, on the drive to the Music Center the iPod began playing an incredible re-recording of Bernard Herrmann’s Vertigo score. This was only available on a CD that came with a book, and the CD only had one long seventy-plus minute track. The conductor was James Conlon and it’s a great recording. So, imagine my surprise when the conductor of the opera was the very same James Conlon. The orchestra was stellar and it was just a lovely way to spend two-and-a-half hours. Prior to the opera, I met my friend who’d arranged the tickets (she works for the LA Opera), and we had a little salad at the outdoor restaurant. As we sat there, I saw cousin Dee Dee walking. Turns out she was going to the Ahmanson to see August: Osage County – funny, huh?

Prior to all that, I’d had a long day doing a lot o’ stuff. I got up, but it was already in the high 90s, temperature-wise, so I just could not jog. Instead, I worked on the computer, got us ready for our official announcement, and then took the script of the long musical over to Jerry’s Deli, where I had a turkey sandwich and fries and did some work. Then I did some errands and whatnot, and then I came home, listened to and approved an improved master for the new release, was told that Taras Bulba would be here on Tuesday morning, so I’ve got a lot of work to do prepping those packages. I also spent way too much time on the phone with Apple tech support trying to figure out why my iPhone has become so completely irrational and wonky. I was on the phone for almost forty-five minutes and the tech I was dealing with was just baffled by it all, so he got me to someone else but by that time I had to leave, so they promised me a specialist would call me tomorrow to go through everything.

I shall now sing the aria “Why Don’t We All Click On The Unseemly Button Below Because She Of The Evil Eye Will Be Here All Too Soon And I Must Get My Beauty Sleep” in G.

Today, I’ll start addressing packages, and there are a lot to address. Then I hope we can solve the iPhone problems. Then this evening I’ll be seeing Miss Andrea Marcovicci at the Gardenia. I’ll be supping there first. I’m quite looking forward to it and I hope she sings some arias in G.

Tomorrow, I’m hoping Cason will come by to help finish addressing and then putting postage on all the packages. I have to type up all my notes, which is going to take a long time because there are a LOT of them. Not really looking forward to that, but I’ll do it.

Monday, I have a dentist appointment very early, and then I’ll be doing a few hours of comping vocals for Brent’s album. In fact, I’m hoping we can get it all finished and done by next Friday.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do some sort of jog, I must address packages, I must finish my notes so that they can be typed, and I must see a show at the Gardenia, and sup there as well. Today’s topic of discussion: Ballet – another world I know little about. What are your all-time favorite ballets, what was the first ballet you ever saw, and what ballet, just music-wise, is your favorite. I have a few – Khatchaturian’s Spartacus, which I saw on laserdisc, is a gorgeous piece of work. And there are a few others I really like. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I sing the area “Hit The Road To Dreamland” in G.

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