Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to an opera entitled Boris Godunov, which is about Boris Godunov – this is abridged (I have the complete version), conducted by Mr. Mitropoulos, and written by Modest Mussorgsky, who had no reason to be modest about this fine opera. It’s in mono but sounds marvelous. I’d forgotten that the prelude to act one was clearly inspiration to both Dimitri Tiomkin (Dial ‘M’ for Murder’s main title) and Bernard Herrmann. You can hear it instantly. Anyway, this is very tuneful, and the cast is fun – this was a Met production from 1958, starring Giorgio Tozzi. This apparently had several different orchestrations – Mussorgsky’s original, one by Shostakovich, and one by Rimsky-Korsakov. This one reverts to Mussorgsky’s original and the wonderful composer Karol Rathaus restored it. This recording is in English. Prior to listening, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray that I’d never seen, which is odd since I’m a huge fan of its directors, Powell and Pressburger. But by 1955, they were floundering and would soon part ways. The film is entitled Oh, Rosalinda and is based on Die Fledermaus, by Mr. Strauss. It’s their only film in Cinemascope and it’s very wide (2.55) and the frame is filled to the brim. I’m not sure it had ever been on home video prior to this Blu-ray release two years ago, which I knew nothing about. So, it was fun to finally see it. No, it’s not a patch on the butt cheeks of their best – Black Narcissus, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, The Red Shoes, Stairway to Heaven and, to a lesser extent, The Tales of Hoffman. The production design is fantastic, but Powell seems either cowed by Cinemascope or he’s forgotten about how cinematic his films were – this is almost completely static, camera-wise. Interesting cast, including Michael Redgrave (who does his own singing), Dennis King, Mel Ferrer, and others. It doesn’t really work, but the music portions are very good and it does have some fun things in it. The transfer is apparently from the original camera negative, but it looks a bit soft to my eye. Color, however, is excellent and it was great to finally see it. I do believe I’ve now seen all their films.
Yesterday was a bit weird but ultimately a good day. I got seven hours of sleep, got up, answered e-mails, had a telephonic conversation, picked up a package, came home and remembered that I had to go pick up some tapes in Burbank, so went right back out and did that. Getting there was hellish because the main street there was closed off for reasons unknown so we all had to jog down and take another street, so that street was, of course, loaded with cars. After getting the tapes it was already four so I stopped at Bob’s Big Boy and had their Big Boy Combo, which I haven’t had in at least four or five years. It’s really quite a good deal – the Big Boy burger, a kind of large dinner salad, and fries. It was all very good. Then I came right home and caught up with stuff here, including a little miracle.
Then I watched Oh, Rosalinda, then did some work on the computer, began my listening, and here we are.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I’ll continue going through the screenplay project with David Wechter, I’ll eat, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, and then at some point I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, I get to place my book order, and then those should arrive within a couple of weeks, then it’s more of the same, continuing through the weekend. Next week I’ll have a work session for the Kritzerland show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, do whatever needs doing, continue reading the screenplay and making notes, eat, hopefully pick up some packages, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: For opera fans, what do you think of hearing an opera written in a different language in English. I’ve enjoyed all that I’ve heard. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had a little miracle and a Big Boy Combo.