On Monday evening I went to La Scala, to see what is the last opera for me before the summer break. It was Verdi's Masnadieri. The music was instantly attractive although I don't really like these strings of beautiful arias threaded together. What is worse, it encourages the audience to applaud after every one thus… Continue reading I Masnadieri
Tag: Diary
Lighten up!
After my last post, I really think we need to lighten up, what say you? There's lightness in the night air here in Lesmo. After maybe 3/4 years' wait, one of my Brugmanias has flowered. Champagne occasion! I bought 3 of them from Hayloft's remembering the 3 beautiful trees (then called Datura in my old… Continue reading Lighten up!
Die Tote Stadt
This is the latest opera I saw at La Scala. Although the music was not difficult to understand on a very superficial level, I had a good deal of trouble tying to unravel the meaning of the story. Based on a short novel written in 1892, Korngold has transformed it into a foray into symbolist… Continue reading Die Tote Stadt
Chelsea
The Royal Hospital, Chelsea At the end of May I took my annual trip to the Chelsea Flower Show and it was wonderful as always. I go on a Saturday because that is the day the coach trip is organised, but when I asked around, most people said that it is pretty crowded on the… Continue reading Chelsea
Back to Brahms
On Friday, the Auditorium as usual. It was a terrible rush because there was a strike and I had to get to the Underground stop before 6 pm. Only just made it. The programme was entirely dedicated to Brahms, the third and the fourth and it drew a large audience. Judging by the applause everyone… Continue reading Back to Brahms
Shame on me!
I find with dismay, that I haven't posted since January. Which is daft and unforgivable! Sorry! Who was it who said "procrastination is the thief of time"? Being organised would be a dream, but I'm not sure I want to go as far as some of my students who told me they write down everything,… Continue reading Shame on me!
Cold cold January
What a weird month. Freezing cold, sunny and warm, fog, a whole year's weather in a week! But it's rather exciting, never quite knowing what you'll get. I'm still struggling with my greenhouse problem. I'm finding it really difficult to keep above zero on the very cold nights. I'm keeping my fingers crossed in the… Continue reading Cold cold January
All over bar the shouting!
Christmas comes, Christmas goes, so does the New Year. And do we ever say anything interesting or original about them? Does anyone? No, just same old , same old. The usual litany of daft diets, of vows to be healthier , of New Year's Resolutions to break forthwith. But, we are having wonderful weather, frosty… Continue reading All over bar the shouting!
Music and cold weather
On Sunday I went to Brugherio to listen to the last concert of this year's Antiquamodecia season. Baroque music in church; nice I thought the acoustics were good too. Although a longer concert would have been nice because the music was just so beautiful and familiar, the church was very cold so the short programe… Continue reading Music and cold weather
The joys of learning!
On Saturday I went to the garden centre to join a group making a Christmas arrangement. I love doing these things, it's the one time I feel truly immersed in what I'm doing, in the moment, in the flow. It's an ideal situation, losing yourself among the pine needles and cones, deciding if gold is… Continue reading The joys of learning!
English that grows 