Divas, plus a Divo
67A true Diva - Grace Bumbry
A little more self-indulgence. I was looking at my last hub, and thinking how much I enjoyed creating it, and noting with something close to gratitude some really nice comments.Please note: I use the word “nice” in its proper sense. The comments were what was required; precise and to the point; just right for their requirements. They hit the spot.
But I messed up already
Then having looked at the title of the hub, I realised that I, as usual, in my somewhat haphazard manner, had not planned ahead nearly enough… or at all. The title of the first hub was less than useful: Divas - one of a few, perhaps, would be a great title to work on if the series of hubs were to deal with Divas, but the music I was so keen to share (and still am) is not only from Sopranos and Mezzo Sopranos, but from Tenors; or more precisely, one Tenor a bel canto (literally beautiful singing) Tenor whose upper register notes are astounding, clear and precise.
I panicked. I'm good at panicking. But Nellie Anna rode in on a metaphorical charger and saved the day.
She saved the day, thus:
"I went on a bit of a chase to see if there is a comparable term for "Diva". It's not something common, it seems, but Wikipedia did provide this:
"The male divo does exist in Italian and it is usually reserved for the most prominent leading tenors, like Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli or Roberto Alagna."
"It's a thought, and with your flair, you could probably pull off naming the hub, "Divas and a Divo" or some such. If you plan to expand on the group, "tenor" might limit that.
"But "Divas, plus a tenor" for the one hub isn't too horribly lame, if you think it needs to be changed. It's probably already been accepted as it is. But the clarification does improve it factually. The thought crossed my mind when reading it that it went beyond one diva - but I figured that was merely an introductive term into the array of singers which came forth, sort of poetic license or something, It wasn't a big gap to my mind. The material was so deligtful, who cared about the title? haha".
Thank you, Nellieanna, where would I be without you?
Juan Diego Flórez
Juan Diego Flórez
Juan Diego Flórez is a Peruvian operatic Tenor, particularly known for his roles in bel canto operas.
So why did I wobble?Or how did I wobble?
Well, I’ll tell you, but I will try to be brief, because I would prefer you to be listening to the music rather than to be listening to me yapping. I’m fairly good at yapping, but this time I’ll try to spare you.
Years ago when I first came to London, a friend of mine played me a record, a 12” vinyl record (Remember them? No? Well I do!) of a singer of whom I had never heard. By the time I had heard the song that my friend played me first, I was captivated. The singer’s name was Grace Bumbry. Can you remember her voice from hearing it in my hub: ‘I burn to pour a thousand drops of nectar in your ear’? One of those first arias that she sang was ‘Mon coeur s'ouvre á ta voix’ and also she sang, on that particular record: ‘Che faro senza Euridice’ – ‘Where will I go without Eurydice’.
Orpheus and Eurydice
If you know the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, you will recall that Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus, dies and is taken to the Underworld by the god Hades. Orpheus is distraught and says that his life is pointless without his beloved (“Where will I go without Eurydice”). He follows her to Hades, and because he’s a great musician, he wins over all sorts of people and dogs and ferrymen and things, and gets her back but there are complications…
Sorry! I was yapping again. Read it yourself. That’s what Google search is for. And because I'm so wonderful, I've found it for you. Just to make it easier for you.
A brief history of Orpheus and Eurydice.
So I fell in love with Grace Bumbry’s voice, and then became really “hooked” on opera. I also fell in love with that particular aria, and discovered that Orpheus is, nowadays, a part to be sung by a Counter Tenor, or a Mezzo Soprano. The Counter Tenor sings in a higher register, and nowadays the part may be played by a woman, usually a Mezzo Soprano. Originally the part would most probably been played by a Castrato.
Remember the Castrato? You do? You must have been paying attention in my last hub. Thank you.
But as you will know, an aria from an opera can have many singers, and each may put her or his interpretation on it. I eventually found another singer; this time a man, and he sings the aria, but this time, not in Italian: (‘Che faro senza Euridice’), but in French (‘J'ai Perdu Mon Eurydice’). It was written by a German, Christoph Willibald Gluck, so it had to be in French or Italian, didn't it? Does that help? It should do but…
Regardless of my rambling, this is where the amazing voice of Juan Diego Flórez comes in.
Of course, once caught, I was as obsessional as usual, and started to look into his works (if you can look into a voice)… but you know what I mean.
Granada by Augustin Lara
This must be one of the most moving and exciting pieces of music. This young man puts his heart and soul into singing, and there is a fervour which is charming and exciting, even to those if us who do not speak Spanish.
Below: Juan Diego Florez sings the famous Tenor aria from Donizetti's 'La Fille du Regiment' - ‘Pour mon ame’
What about those high notes? And the guy isn’t a Castrato – his wife has just had their first child. As they say, “The proof is in the pudding”.
And here, as Juan Diego says, himself:
"A little known aria". Maybe this will be a nice new song for us to hear for the very first time.
Now was this too much like a “Music Appreciation Class” with some boring old Fart pontificating away at the front of the lecture theatre? I hope not, because there are few things worse.
Have you enjoyed listening to these bits and pieces that I have found and like so much that I wanted to share them with you? I hope you have.
We've reached the end. No clapping and cheering please... unless you really mean it.
But here I want you to really listen, and I can guarantee that there will be very few of you who will not enjoy this, if any.
Opera singers are not, as far as I know, boring and self righteously smug people who think their talents are only for the Great and the Good, but are warm human beings with a lot of humour and a lot to offer.
You have already met Jessye Norman when she sang ‘Mon coeur s'ouvre á ta voix’, but here you will hear her with the very talented Kathleen Battle, singing a song that makes me want to stand up and cheer. It is so moving and emotional, that I defy anyone, Christian or Otherwise; Religious or Atheist to not be moved by it.
Enjoy! (I did)
And finally, with gratitude...
I would like to thank Nellie Anna for all her help in searching for videos and music for this hub. Your suggestions and support were invaluable, Nellie, my dear friend. Your constant encouragement and positive criticism is what makes me give of my best at all times, Bless you.
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Love you too, Becky. Thanks for being my first visitor again, I am so glad that you could make it, and when you listen to the music, you will know that I was thinking of you specifically when I put it on. I think you will like it... I hope so.
Hope you find your headphones soon.
Your article was so well-written and the videos and photographs made it seem like I was in a music appreciation class! Suddenly I was remembering pieces I hadn't heard in ages. I went looking online and found two of my favorite girls belting out one of my all-time favorites: Frederica von Stade and Kathleen Battle sing the Evening Prayer in German. I think this is the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Fr3I4fUAo
Thank you Duchess. As soon as I read your words, I had the tune in my head and a wealth of memories.
When I was teaching, the Headmistress at the small South London school I was teaching in had a young opera group brought in. Pieing, a couple of instruments and a very few singers. They performed Hansl und Gretel for us and I thought initially that this was going to be a bit weak... so did some of those very tough kids. I was prepared for he words.
But when the singers started singing and the pianist started playing at the upright that I used to whack out hymns and songs for the children, that hall we were sitting in was transposed to a magical place, The children, every one of them were transfixes; as was I.
Thank you for bringing back a magical memory.
And thank you for another visit to my sites.
Duchess, I forgot to say that I immediately went to the You Tube site you suggested.
Beautiful.
Thank you, again.
Hello TL. I am ignorant regarding opera. That sentence may be too long. Your interest and enthusiasm is clear. The mythology entwined in your story adds beauty and feeds your stirring. Your admiration is duly noted.
I am enthusiastic about so many things, Mike. It is fun being obsessional Well it's fun from this side of the fence, but it must be bloody annoying for those with me all the time, who have to ride my crest of my wave and put up with me.
I started at HP with a spurious tongue in cheek description of what it is like to be OCD, but there is many a true word spoken in jest, as you know, and I'm in there, up to my armpits in it.
Remember, ignorance does not preclude learning. I wouldn't wish opera on anyone, but there's nothing like a good sing-along, as Hermione maintains.
Show her an upright piano (that is not a euphemism) and she's show you a good time.
Ian, Ian, the only problem I have with your hubs is that I go to these marvelous musical videos at your direction and while listening and thrilling to them, my eye is caught by others listed there and then I have to at least sample them & keep the addresses for further perusal! So wonderful to get caught up in beautiful music with a friend!
You're so right - the beautiful voices of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman paired on the rousing "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" is enough to bring anyone to his or her feet with a sense of joy! It is wondrous. I am going to recommend that to a friend I know will love it, too.
DuchessDuCaffeine's recommendation was really dear to me, too. "Evening Prayer" was in my Thompson's Third Grade Piano book and I loved playing it. It is also from one of the first operas of which I had any knowledge, "Hansel and Gretel". As I mentioned elsewhere, it was one of four little illustrated books of operas my sister gave me when I was quite young. There were a few bars of some of the arias throughout the story of each of them and "Evening Prayer" was featured in that one. I'm mesmerize by Kathleen Battle's voice and the duet with Frederica von Stade is simply lovely.
I have to chuckle at your use of the word "pontificating". My George would sometimes precede something with "I don't want to pontificate but. . . " - and, (especially if it also had "the index finger" pointing at the hearer), one knew it meant some good natured but unmistakeable pontification was about to be delivered! It was part of his charm and we all smiled. I took some pictures and made them into a little slide show about it during one such session. So whether or not you do (pontificate), your information is delightful and also very educational. I have learned more about opera and feel more akin to it since you've brought it up than I ever had before! Plus I have a new heart-throb - Juan Diego Florez! :-) I did my share of talking him 'up' to my friend Val on our Saturday outing! She's an opera buff so I felt she needed to know about him! I even tried to find him on my cell phone u-tube app to show her, but didn't get all the IDs & passwords needed to log on. He's great singing "J'ai perdu moon Eurydice" too, and "La donna è mobile" is a strong long-time favorite.
moon = mon
When I first discovered him (Juan Diego) I had been watching a programme on TV. 'The South Bank Show' with Melvyn Bragg, an artsy fartsy London based show. Juan Diego was being interviewed and he sang a couple of arias and I was immediately captivated. When I attempted to search for him through Lime Wire, however, for some reason it didn't recognise his name. I think I had written Flórez and it only recognised Flóres. So frustrating.
'He's Got The Whole World In His Hand' is just so rousing, isn't it? When I found it I thought that I must put it on for Becky, I just thought that she would like it.
As you know, I'm not a Christian, but Christian music and the Mass and some hymns are so wonderful. So uplifting. I believe in God, and I just love the emotion and the truth that goes into those very simple words:
"He's Got The Whole World In His Hand"
Ian, I did find my headphones, they were on my son's mp3 player. His quit working and he borrowed until he could get another pair. I enjoyed listening to the operas and then found your surprise. Thank you. Try this link. It is my absolute favorite song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38V8jnN1Kpw
I can sit and listen to him for hours. He writes most of his songs. They have so much emotion and worship potential and move me intensely.
Thank you, Becky for letting me into your life a bit more with that video. In the UK there is very little of that Charismatic (Am I right in the term?) religious experience. I have a friend in Australia whom I suspect of being involved in her church, the Baptists.
The UK, as yo are most probably aware, is not a religious country, and I find this sort of reaction somewhat puzzling. I don't mean that I disapprove. That would be wrong of me; rude of me; arrogant of me. I think that I am those around me are very reserved in their appreciation of God. It does not mean we don;t like God, it's just that we are more internal.
Then again, 'He's Got The Whole World in His Hand' is so powerful, and whack the complete Verdi Requiem or Handel's Halleluja Chorus, or the 'I Know That My Redeemer Liveth'.
A lot of people worship in private. We sing in church and pray but the worship is mostly done at home. It isn't meant to be a show, although some churches make a production of it.If the worship and dancing is choreographed, it is wrong. I am Southern Baptist and we are probably one of the most conservative of the different Christian religions.
All the differing branches of Christianity confuse me. I wouldn't have thought it was wrong to choreograph. Aren't you encouraged to "make a joyful noise" and tympani drums and such. My lot (the more strict ones) are very much against musical instruments and singing.
But my philosophy is if God made it possible to make pure notes with lengths of air and scraping things and gave us the human voice, He wants us to use them in His praise.
When people are not allowed to sing and dance spontaneously because the troop is performing, that makes it wrong. When the Lord puts it on you to worship, He does not want you to wait until the troop gets done performing. He wants you to do it then and there. Singing, dancing, and playing music is encouraged. I went to a church a few times only because we were told when the troop was performing, we should stay seated. I felt that they should leave places for the people to worship. I switched to a church that gave the people a place to worship if the need hit them.
I'm going to run this past my friend in Australia. i would live to know where she stands on this (or does she sit demurely and wait for permission to stand. Ha ha!)
I would be hopeless in a situation as you explain, because I am so reserved and shy I would just sit and watch.
I am a people watcher anyway.
Just sitting and watching is fine but sometimes you feel the need to move and if there are other people moving, it is easier. Believe me, mine is a conservative church. I have been to some churches that we called pew jumpers and chandelier swingers. There is nothing wrong with that but I do not feel comfortable with that.
I thought Fritz the Cat did more chandelier swinging, but does that date me?
Dear Ian,
Always learning when reading your hubs..bringing me into another world of class and beauty..Thank you for a great hub..
Sunnie
I seem to have shot myself in the foot, Sunnie. So many people are running away in droves from my hubs lately.
Pearls before swine, I suppose.
Thanks for popping in. Any advances on your... (whisper, whisper)?
Hey, a word from the swine. More a technical note. If you are writing a Hub which touches on the career of Juan Diego Flórez, in order for someone in the outside world to find it with a Google search, shouldn't his name be in the title? I have asked this twice today (different name) 50Caliber published a compelling Vietnam war era work, but the title did not mention Vietnam. My dull point, is that there are people who would enjoy this information but will never be see it. (I know there is an admission in that sentence.) Or am I just kidding myself, that there is an outside world?
It's just the natural ebb following the tide, Ian. The tide will return. Hugs.
By the way - that is an excellent suggestion Mike makes about mentioning Juan Diego in the title, since you provide so much really useful and interesting information about him which people doing a Google search would enjoy finding.
I agree with you about opera.
I think fact remains that a lot of stereotyping goes into everything that surrounds us so sometimes even humble people can be confused to be divas.
Good Morning Ian,
I think there are times when people read more and then when they are writing up a storm..I have not discovered myself if there is any rythm or reason..Don't lose heart,,like Nellie said the tide will turn..Mike did make a great suggestion..they just don't know you are here..have a great day my friend,
Love,
Sunnie
Mike, if you even refer to yourself, even in a Joking manner as being a swine, once more, I am sending Maude AND Hilda Plantagenet-Featheringstonehaugh around to the cafe and they are going to root you out and pull down your pants and smack your bottom until it shines like a beacon in a naughty world.
Whether you like that or not is up to you. Remember, it was you, and precious little others who encouraged me and built up my flagging ego when I was all for giving up HP.
You have been warned!
Nellie, and Mike, suggestions taken on board.
Regardless, I hope you all like little green parrots, because there is another hub coming up when I can find the photographs.
Qudsia, you are so right. And I hope you can wait, but i am very soon to publish a hub, inspired by your wonderfully sad, but lovely hub:http://qudsiap1.hubpages.com/hub/Parrots-Setting-t
Ramadhan Mubarak
And love to you too, Sunnie.
I am a spoiled child who expects everything to go my way, and I am afraid I am not going to change this late in my life.
Good morning, Ian. It is a beautiful day here. Sunny, low humidity, cool breeze and in the low 80's. I can even go for a walk without feeling like I am in a sauna.
You're a bit of a rascal, for sure, but I doubt you're really a spoiled child. You've experienced too much life to remain one, if you ever were! ;-> Hugs.
Thank you for the referral to Qudsia's lovely hub about the two parrots, Darling and Sam. It was most heart-warming and winning! I am looking so forward to yours about a friends' beloved parrot. Soon, I hope!
Becky, you country seems to have every kind of climate. They say that England (or was it the UK) doesn't have a climate; it just has weather.
I knew you would like it, Nellie. It's a very heart-warming and sad hub. I was a bit upset with the person who criticised her and gave her all the "those parrots would never fend for themselves in the wild" business.
There is a flock of Green Parrots on Streatham Commone (Saint Reatham Common). I wonder of Josie saw them when she was searching for her artefacts.
I wasn't pleased when I read her strong vehement criticism without her having bothered to learn or surmise the facts, either. Too often folks fail to "give benefit of doubt" which would have shown the truth here, as it usually does when it's applied.
But at least she was good enough to recognize her error, apologize and retract it finally, after a couple of thrusts. Perhaps it will serve as a reminder next time she applies what's under her nose to situations beyond it. Probably she's used to only brushing shoulders with people in her own circumstances so that it never occurred to her that any others might be in effect in Qudsia's case!
But the fact that the parrot pair didn't speak or do the usual "parrot tricks" could have served as enough of a clue to lead to at least asking or opening it to explanation and findng that it was all done in kindness before Qudsia had to explain on her own.
Had the birds been loosed before they could fly after their surgery, they'd never have survived in the wild from which they came. She kept them under protective care until they were able to resume life where it had been taken from them. That was such a shining fact that the lady had to feel it! Qudsia was so kind and gracious about it all too and took no umbrage at being upbraided unjustly. Such a good spirit!
Josie would have applauded Qudsia's kindness, I'll bet! ;->
Josie returned to Twilight Lawns one Sunday, when she knew that most of the House would have been at Saint Setrag's in Streatham, and was seen wandering around Saint Reatham Common with a pair of very large binoculars because someone had told her that there was a flock of Green Parrots living in the woods there.
Josie still works at the British Museum, but has become an amateur ornithologist. She does have a theory that there is a small flock of Dodos living in the deepest brambles, so we may see more of her.
My country has so many climates because it is so huge. It is much larger than England is. I believe we have just about every different kind of eco-system there is. I have driven non-stop from one side of this country to the other and it took well over 48 hours. From the Atlantic to the Pacific and that is just the continental US.
Texas is much larger than the UK, so of course I find it amazing to see the size and the diversity.
I have driven, with two friends all the way across the Island Continent (Australia) from Perth in West Australia through South Australia, Victoria and to New South Wales) and that took a hell of a long time, because there weren't even road all the way in those days... just dirt tracks.
Australia is perhaps somewhat larger than the continental US, Ian. And rugged, from movies I've seen about it, including "Australia", which I love, and "The Thorn Birds" - which I also love.
Then you can probably somewhat visualize my ranch country. - Once one leaves the main highway (US Hwy 90) for the first 3 miles to Pumpville (a ghost town), there is primitive Farm to Market pavement just wide enough for two cars to pass, which follows the contours of the the ground, which happens to be very hilly. As a child I adored it if Dad drove fast enough (35mph was fast then) so that going down the hills was fun - I called them "thrill bumps" because my heart seemed to come up in my throat -- like a ride at the carnival! After that first 3 miles, it's only rough gravel and caliche roads (over the jutting rocks beneath that) for about 20 miles to where my road veers off this "better" road and becomes two rocky dirt tracks from then on to, into, through and beyond my ranch to where everything ends at a huge canyon. :-) The 'main" gravel road is the road throughout other areas of that off-highway country.
So like driving to Sydney every time you go home. Without the kangaroos and the emus and the pink and grey gallahs (possible one of my favourite birds).
:-) ah!
I know this is not singing but I believe you will enjoy this.
You were right, Becky. I do like it.
I listened to it, too, Becky. One of my all-time favorites and beautifully played!
There's another one, which slips my mind at the moment... a concerto, but it's my favourite. Except for Zarzuelas which completely blow me away.
I was going to do a hub on them, but thought it would only put another clod on my HP grave.
Ha ha!
Aw. Gimme a break. Stop that! I can't bear the idea of you backing off from your enlightenment. What HP grave? Naw. And if it happened, no doubt we'd all hop in there with you.
I want to see that hub & I'd bet there are many hands that would raise to aver the same desire and sentiment!
I wonder how many WOULD be in there with us, Nellie. I don't think it would be too crowded, but at least we could have our DVD player in there and a stack of DVDs and lots of CDs and some books and and and
And, and, and. I will be there with you, sounds fun.
See? What did I tell you? Already good folks are stepping forward! For sure, it would have in quality whatever it might happen to lack in quantity! (and lack of quantity is no certainty, anyway!)
That DVD and CD player idea is really good! Oh! Boy! I can hardly wait! And we could serve some great snacks, too!
You brings the Red Bull, Becky, I'll bring the pakoras. I've just learned how to make a good batter, and Nellie can bring her piano. Anyone else for the ride/
I'll see if I can get my friend to come also. He makes a mean biryani, and in the evenings we could have country dancing,. I used to teach country dancing when I was at school. Goddesses is amazing. We need eight couple for two sets. Or ten couples to make it more interesting... does anybody play the fiddle?
Oh - this is shaping up! You do plan a great party! Country dancing will be such fun and will involve all your followers! Would you mind if I bring some guacamole?
Guacamole? Of course, bring him and his whole family. Jolly little peasants, are they? They can wait at table and then clear up afterwards... this grave is going to need a rear extension, but I am sure that some of our chums will know a Polish builder or two.
Mind you, who else of these Hub People are going to be joining us? I see no takers yet.
Ian, I'm wondering if our other cohorts are, perhaps, a bit put-off by the inclusion of an unknown number of weird strangers such as the Iconoclasts & now, the Guacamoles? - That is pretty daunting. I must also mention that the Guacamoles I know are among the high-society members of that illustrious family. There's not a peasant among that branch of the family! So they'd be put off too, by being mistaken as such. Let's not even mention it. The only 'waiting' they know how to do is waiting for the butler to respond to their signal. We'd have better luck getting some of the Iconoclasts to wait tables. They'd do it just for a lark!
But we must be so careful about feelings. If any Guacs do consent to show up, they'll expect the Royal Peacock chairs with the finest silk velvet cushions if there's any outdoor eating or other activities. Indoors, the best chairs available will have to do.
You know, Ian, perhaps some invitations for your folks would encourage them and allay any fears or misgivings about these zany goings-on. I'd have appreciated one had I not gotten into the planning part, but am just so susceptible & apt to jump onto any foolishness wagon of which I can gain a foothold - and yours was well-equipped, thank you! I live for foolishness! :-) It's my secret calling!
But there are much wittier folks among your followers who'd really get the party going and would improve its overall quality, too!! Becky's already invited and is to bring the Red Bull. She'll greatly add to the festivities with her presence! The rest of you guys - well, you know who you are! :-) (Svetlana - you could teach us some Latin dances!) Oh - what fun! Whoo hoo!
Svetlana could trip the light fantastic and do a tango across the polished marble floor to the strumming of a balalaika. But heaven save to poor chap who puts a step wrong and asks her to lead. That girl would eat him alive.
I am sorry but I am ignorant of Red Bull, unless you mean the energy drink. My son drinks that constantly but I cannot drink it. Besides the vile taste, it makes my heart beat funny.
That's the stuff, Becky. I drink that sort of stuff constantly. It never gets my heart beating... I don't have one.
Caffeine and taurine... Yum!!!
I located my Oxford English-Guacamolian translator. You two are talking about a shindig?
Hi Mike, I was saying that I would like to do a hub on Zarzuelas which completely blow me away, but thought it would only put another clod on my HP grave.
Nellie Anna said, “Aw. Gimme a break. Stop that! I can't bear the idea of you backing off from your enlightenment. What HP grave? Naw. And if it happened, no doubt we'd all hop in there with you”.
I wondered how many WOULD be in there with us. I don't think it would be too crowded, but at least we could have our DVD player in there and a stack of DVDs and lots of CDs and some books and and and
So you are invited, Mike. Becky is coming and we are going to have a party in there… (The Grave)
soon enough sir, soon enough
We'll keep a warm place for you.
Not too warm.
Well, graves aren't noted for their warmth, but when we get the tango and country dances going, the Red Bull flowing, DVDs and CDs playing, hot topics being discussed, lots of CO2 being expelled into a closed atmosphere and all the fun and frenzy afoot, it will warm the place up!
I was thinking of a little quiet corner, with a few books and a reading lamp and a fire in the grate. Simple and cottagey. Nothing too pretentious.
Hey, m'dear - I'm a hermitoid. I love small, intimate, cozy get-togethers. It's actually my lifestyle, though I can rise to an occasion of throwing a lavish affair when it's called for. - (a versatile hermitoid!)
Just please be sure the reading lamp has enough voltage for my poor eyesight! A hand-knit shawl would be lovely, too. A furry pet curled up next to me would be the coup de grâce.
I'm off to the dentist for my biannual teeth cleaning. Talk to you later, I hope. Hugs - NH
That is going to be such a nice place to be. I'm amazed there aren't more takers.
Certainly a cat or a well behaved Norbury Mudhound or two to curl up beside you.
The 'Farinelli' DVD arrived today. I didn't realise that when I ordered it I was ordering from Italy.
I'm going to watch it tonight.
Ah, yes, Ian! I'd love to meet a Norbury Mudhound - or a cat curled up beside me! I'm more accustomed to cats but I love both, and they're so nice to curl up against, especially well-behaved lovable furry critters.
Maybe folks are involved in back-to-school activities or Labor Day plans or sawing logs for their fireplaces for the winter or getting a head-start on Christmas shopping or - or - or . . . .
Lucky you, getting your "Farinelli" disk. I'm sure you're going to enjoy it.
I watched it and was still amazed at how well it was directed. It is lush, poignant and utterly beautiful to listen to. I bought the CD some years ago, and never got into it. i don;t know why.
Maybe I'll try again.
It is in Italian with English, French or Italian subtitles, and I was amazed at how much I understood while I was watching. In a couple of weeks I am going to watch it with no subtitles on and see how much I can follow.
I love the Italian language, and wish I could speak it better than ordering a meal or asking how much something costs ion a market stall.
I am sure it must be many times more exciting on the DVD with audio AND all the action and color than with just audio on CD anyway. So happy you got the DVD. I still would like to get it sometime but I'll have to find a more affordable version.
What I dislike about subtitles is that they distract from watching the action, which I love doing. It's enough to prompt me want to learn the Italian.
One summer - 1972 - I checked out the vinyl records of "Madame Butterfly" with a complete libretto in English and compared with the singing day in and day out. I loved that.
My school study of Spanish helps me recognize a few words in other Latin languages but I'm just not a linguist. I was bashful about speaking English when in school, so I just avoided the 'conversational' Spanish all I could, though I excelled at the grammar and all that. My Dad was a iinguist though. He spoke German at home as a boy and picked up Spanish so easily they thought he was a Mexican. haha. The reddish hair and complexion should have tipped them off - but - . . . He was once mistaken for an Irishman though, by MIss Casada, my High School English teacher.
When I was passing through Aden in the Yemen, and Port Said in Egypt, I was taken for a German. Once, in the middle of the night, I was so cold I couldn't sleep. because I was in the vast desert in Central Australia, and was there also taken for a German.
I have Pakistani friends who say I could get away with being a Pathan if I went to Peshawar.
There are about three hubs tied up in those simple sentences.
Ian, this is delightful. Thank you for introducing me to those superb singers. They happen not only have amazing voices, but they are beautiful as well, especially Juan Diego - picture perfect.
I like the word "divo", even though in my language it means "wonder" (I bet you anything it came from Latin). There is a fairy tale:
"Divo divnoye, chudo chudnoye" - basically a repetition to the fourth degree, "A wonderful wonder, an amazing wonder" - something to be found. You found it already in Juan Diego.
Thank you, Svetlana, I can always rely on you for a quality comment. I am glad you liked it.
I love beauty in all things and human beauty really enchants me, whether male or female.
It was clever Nellie, who found the word "Divo" for me. I had never heard it before, but now I have it tucked securely in my personal lexicon.
I am preparing a new hub about RLS and wonder if you would mind if i quoted you about travelling by aeroplane when you experienced an attack of RLS. I can't find it (yet) but it would be nice to use. Do you know where it would be? And may I use it?
Oh, Ian you are welcome, I don't think my comment was anything special.
I am not as knowledgeable as Nellieanna about Zodiac Signs, but there are only two signs that I associate with one single word (per sign).
Libra - Beauty
Capricorn - Respect.
It never ceases to amaze me how consistent Libras are about loving beauty. I love beauty, too. Perhaps my word is
Scorpio - vengeance.
You don't have to ask my permission for quoting - use my words any time you want - once released I don't own them.
I don't really remember where we discussed it, but I have a suspicion it was in our e-mail exchange. You are right - it was a three hour long flight from Calgary to Toronto and I had the folly of choosing a window seat (never again!) - and I thought I was going insane - probably the person in front of me had the same sentiments.
I don't suffer from RLS now, but it can come back any time. I think it all has to do with the nervous system, like a tendency to grind teeth when stressed. I did that, too. Overall, being obsessive-compulsive is no fun.
Can I use this quote as it is? It is human and intensely personal, which I like about it, and you. Would you like me to refer to you as Svetlana or kallini2010 - or both?
I could use the last two paragraphs as they are.
I might have to delete the comment if Simone and the rest of the HP Mafia think I have plagiarised, but that would be OK. Yeah?
Ian, use it the way you want. Remember, comments made under your hubs are yours. Svetlana or Kallini - pick whatever you want.
You can use "Svetlana Ivanova" - it is equivalent to Jane Smith - you can try a Google search - there will be tons.
Ian, I have complete trust in you. By the way - I heard Simone. And I heard Augustine's voice today - so surprising.
Good luck with your writing. I have not written anything for over a month, I think.
I have just published it and if you disagree with it or feel you would like it changed, please let me know.
By the way, I notice that now we are supposed to write a summary of each hub,
How time consuming.
I will read it. The summary part is not a requirement, but a suggestion. It is only two or three sentences and it is very convenient when you link your hubs. I started doing it a while ago. What HP changed is a reminder - what articles still don't have a summary.
Generic Summary:
This is yet another example of ground breaking writing. You are a better person to have had the honor to read this writing.
Mck: It took me a few readings to get the meaning. Funny.
Hello kallini2010. My humor is just too subtle.
No, Mck, it was me - I was probably too dense at the moment. I am working on my summaries. I am afraid "my humour on RLS hub" was too much in the face. I don't know what is wrong with me today - all my comments are slightly off.
Not one fo mine have a summary... unless I am missing the point.
This is like me at school when I was teaching. We would have staff meetings and I would sit there and think to myself, "I don't know what everyone else is talking about and what I should be doing or understanding", and then my little mind would creep into a corner all by itself and sleep quietly until the meeting was all over.
Too subtle for me, Mike. I had to reread and then reread and then the little energy efficient light bulb clicked on. But it took a while to illuminate my dark little corner.
Hello TL. Quite often I say something funny, and two weeks later the person laughs.
Mike. Quite often I say something funny and two weeks later I am still waiting for the person to laugh.
Ladies & Gentlemen:
We have to teach or maybe to take a course: "Humour 101".
Lesson #1: Subtle Humour.
Lesson #2: In your face.
Lesson #3: When to laugh - the reaction speed.
Quite often I write or say something that I think is funny, and people take me so seriously.
Point in question, Twilight lawns plc (the site)
Twilight Lawns plc is priceless.
Thank you. Mike. They take care of me very well there. I have a lovely room overlooking Raj's chicken run where he keeps his Black Orpington hens.
I have just put my name down for the 'Art Appreciation Class' run by Miss Lettice Rogers-Allbody. Should be interesting.
Twilight Lawns plc was hysterical, People just don;t have a sense of humor. Love ya Ian.
Thank you, Becky. Love you too. I have just started to put some more into the pages if TLplc, but it isn't mine. It is from another Hubber (How I hate that word). See if you can find it. It's on a notice board somewhere,
Tee Hee!
Again, no videos for me, but I enjoyed your enthusiasm tremendously. The way in which you are talking about these things has made me realize that I don't even need to hear the music in order to appreciate it.
P.S. “The proof is in the pudding”. - I laughed so hard after reading this :)
I've just had to reread the hub to check on the "proof is in the pudding" business and I hate to say that I laughed also.
Please try and listen to these singers, though. They are magnificent.
Becky 9 months ago
I really enjoyed this but will have to come back to listen to the music. Everyone is still sleeping and my headphones have disappeared again. I love to 'listen' to you talk about your passions. Passions are what make life worth living. Love ya.