Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[ChasSmith]

A fine TOD.  Loving these posts, and how great to hear BK's first reactions to The Rake's Progress.

I discovered it in school and am probably single-handedly responsible for wearing out the library's copy of the first LP set.  And I have to agree with DR Elmore's assessment of the brothel scene.  That was instantly my favorite, musically, and isn't Jennie Tourel the one on the recording?  I shouldn't have to ask that.

By the time I started buying the Stravinsky LPs, you already couldn't find the first recording except in libraries and secondhand, and I didn't know from secondhand in those days.  (My bad.)  However, many years later I acquired a copy at a library sale or maybe a used record store for a song, and it's the very first issue, box-wise -- one of those 78rpm-sized boxes that the early Metropolitan Opera recordings and some others were issued in.  But But BUT -- its first owner had gotten a very nice inscription by none other than baritone Mack Harrell who means a lot to me (I also knew his son the cellist in those years), so this is really a treasure.

I also remember using the library's piano/vocal score a lot, but I guess I never acquired one of my own.  But I now have another treasure, thanks to our DR Elmore -- a beautiful little hardbound full score from the former library of Mr. John McGlinn.  Thank you again for that, DR Elmore.

[ChasSmith]

A fine description by DR Elmore, one that bears repeating:

"The score, which is sorta like hearing Mozart, Gluck, Bellini through a funhouse mirror, is simply glorious."

[ChasSmith]

(No, you idiot (talking to myself here), Blanche Thebom is on the recording.)

[elmore3003]

A fine description by DR Elmore, one that bears repeating:

"The score, which is sorta like hearing Mozart, Gluck, Bellini through a funhouse mirror, is simply glorious."

I should have added, too, how funny much of it is: witty libretto by W.H. Auden and Chester Kalman and a sardonic yet moving score by Igor.

[elmore3003]

(No, you idiot (talking to myself here), Blanche Thebom is on the recording.)

Jennie Tourel is on the Venice premiere with Robert Roundsville and Elizabeth Schwarzkopf.  Blanche is on the Met recording with Hilde Gueden and Mack Harrell.

[ChasSmith]

(No, you idiot (talking to myself here), Blanche Thebom is on the recording.)

Jennie Tourel is on the Venice premiere with Robert Roundsville and Elizabeth Schwarzkopf.  Blanche is on the Met recording with Hilde Gueden and Mack Harrell.

Right!

[John G.]

Good morning, all.

[John G.]

TOD

The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny
Sweeney Todd
Einstein on the Beach
Nixon in China
Show Boat
Evita
Madame Butterfly

[elmore3003]

TOD

The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny
Sweeney Todd
Einstein on the Beach
Nixon in China
Show Boat
Evita
Madame Butterfly

I never remember which Puccini operas are 19th and 20th century operas!

[ChasSmith]

I have trouble with that kind of thing, too.

I might be the only one here, but Strauss's Salome and Elektra.  And based on what I've heard, and much to my surprise, I'd be interested in getting into Schoenberg's Moses und Aron. 

[elmore3003]

I also admit I'm snobby: I do not consider operettas and musicals, even though opera houses now stage them, opera.  When "rock opera" composers prove to me they understand what opera and composition are, then I might consider them opera composers. 

[elmore3003]

I have trouble with that kind of thing, too.

I might be the only one here, but Strauss's Salome and Elektra.  And based on what I've heard, and much to my surprise, I'd be interested in getting into Schoenberg's Moses und Aron. 

I have the same problem with Strauss that I do with Wagner: too damned long.  I like Ariadne auf Naxos and a lot of Salome but I find Elektra an ordeal, and Der Rosenkavalier endless.  I tend to jump in German opera from Beethoven to Kurt Weill.

The playwright von Hoffmansthal's much of the problem.  His condescending letters to Strauss - I'm the writer and a genius and you are a moron, Strauss, who knows nothing of high art - are such drivel.

[Jane]

How's everyoe feeling today?  Nursie? Keith? vixmom? TCB?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Continued Mega-Health Vibes to the DRs!  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for asking DR elmore.  Keith didn't wake me last night so I expect he is no worse than at bedtime.  I am still in bed and haven't asked him yet.  I am still in a state of concern.

[Jane]

I've been awake since around 5:30, and High Anxiety is settling in.  My love for travel has long passed me by, and I hope this trip goes smoothly.

Super vibes for easy, smooth travels.

[elmore3003]

I've been awake since around 5:30, and High Anxiety is settling in.  My love for travel has long passed me by, and I hope this trip goes smoothly.

Super vibes for easy, smooth travels.

Thanks!

[elmore3003]

DR Ginny, I've been getting more RSVPs.  I think we're competing with the Miami U Alumni Weekend.

[FJL]

Been a busy weekend.  I'll have to catch up when there's time, but I've missed a lot of posts, it seems.

[Ginny]

Monday morning greetings!

DR Ginny, I've been getting more RSVPs.  I think we're competing with the Miami U Alumni Weekend.

Yes, DR Elmore, and there are lots of other things going on this weekend.  But I think we'll have a nice crowd and I'm looking forward to it!

[Ginny]

I don't read my horoscope in the newspaper every day, but today's really spoke to me with regard to the situation with my mother:

"You can choose not to spend time with someone without giving up on him or her.  Hope for the best outcome for the person, and send love and a good thought that way.  Then do what's best for you."

As her power of attorney, I do have more of an obligation than love and good thoughts, but this goes along with the Facebook meme I saw that said, "You don't have to set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm."

[Jane]

It is sad Ginny.  Your true mother, the one you have lost, would want you to take care of your physical and emotional health.  Finding the right balance is difficult.

[Ron Pulliam]

Morning, everyone!

[elmore3003]

I don't read my horoscope in the newspaper every day, but today's really spoke to me with regard to the situation with my mother:

"You can choose not to spend time with someone without giving up on him or her.  Hope for the best outcome for the person, and send love and a good thought that way.  Then do what's best for you."

As her power of attorney, I do have more of an obligation than love and good thoughts, but this goes along with the Facebook meme I saw that said, "You don't have to set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm."

Amen.  The Macbeths made my 2006 hell laying guilt on me for not being in Ohio enough to take care of my dad.  Much as I miss him, I'm glad he went when he did.  I was lucky, DR Ginny; I wish your situation were easier.

[John G.]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz7SfkhJe74

To go with today's opera discussion. From castrecl.

[Ginny]

Thank you, DRs Jane and Elmore, for the kind words.  This is, by far, the most difficult thing I've ever experienced - including pregnancy loss and the death of my father.  Thank goodness for things to look forward to, like Saturday's party!

[Jrand73]

All this opera talk.....yes.....when it comes to culture, we're the first hogs to the trough.

[Jrand73]

Going to get drawn on today in anticipation of my upcoming radiation treatments.....I imagine I will look like a Picasso by the time I get back.  Also getting an MRI and C Scan - not sure which......

[FJL]

Going to get drawn on today in anticipation of my upcoming radiation treatments.....I imagine I will look like a Picasso by the time I get back.  Also getting an MRI and C Scan - not sure which......

More hugs and love to you, Jrand.

[Jane]

Hugs to you DR Ginny and enjoy the party.

[Jane]

DR Jrand I hope you don't look too much like a Picasso and that the test today is fairly easy.

[bk]

I'm up, I'm up - maybe seven and a half hours of sleep, but good sleep.