Wonderful Opera
Today, I watched a taped performance from the Met. Four of my favorite artists were involved. Luciano Pavarotti played Nemorino, Kathleen Battle played Adina, and a guy whose name escapes me played Dr. Dulcamara. The Met Orchestra was conducted by James Levine. The opera?
L'elisir D'amore (The Elixir of Love) by Gaetano Donizetti. Mr. Donizetti wrote this comedic masterpiece in two weeks during 1832. The public has been in love with the opera ever since.
Pavarotti has got to be the greatest tenor that ever lived. I've heard recordings of other famous tenors, including Caruso, but Luciano has got them all beat.... in my opinion.
Kathleen Battle is the greatest soprano that I have ever heard. Her "diva" shenanigans are legendary, but so what? She is good, and she knows she is good. I think the Met has reinstated her now. They had fired her a while ago because of her actions.
James Levine is slowing down, but he is still good when he conducts. He seems to have lots of physical ailments that keep him from too many conducting gigs these days.
Doctor Dulcamara is always played by a basso who provides laughter with his pomposity and outrageous claims. In this opera, he sells "a bill of goods" so to speak, to the unwitting (dimwitted?) village folks. They rush to buy his elixir, believing that it will make their lives so wonderful. A few swigs of this potion will make wrinkles disappear, husbands more attentive, and fat bellies vanish.
The good Doctor reminds me so much of someone much in the news these days. Someone who has also sold "a bill of goods" to the unwitting (dimwitted?) American folks. Sadly, this modern con man does not have the redeeming feature of a fine bass voice. God help us all. (IMHO)
Blowing My Own Horn #01
This is my blog, so I can boast when I accomplish something that I think is noteworthy, or when I get praised for something that I have done. Why not? Life is short and my great great great grandkids might like to learn that one of their ancestors actually was able to do something other than sit in a rocking chair and watch the days go by.
This week's "Spelling Bee" puzzle consisted of the letters H,C,Y,T,N,I,E. The object was to see how many words you can spell using just the letters shown. A score of 8 - Good. A score of 14 - Excellent. A score of 20 - Genius. A score of 25 - A match to the New York Times editorial staff.
(The longest word: ETHNICITY)
My score - 26. God, I'm good! (IMHO)
Presidential History Lesson
Question: What did George W. Bush say was "the best moment" during his years in the White House?
Answer: "When I caught a seven-and-a-half-pound largemouth bass on my lake."
Life Lesson
The pet store manager explained, "That puppy was born with a bad leg and would be crippled for life, so we're going to have to put him to sleep."
"You're going to kill this little puppy?" the boy said sadly while patting it.
"You have to realize that this puppy would never be able to run and play with a boy like you."
After a short conversation with his boy, the dad told the manager that they wanted to buy the puppy with the bad leg.
"For the same amount of money, you could have one of the 'healthy' ones. Why do you want this one?"
To answer the manager's question, the boy bent over and pulled up the pants on his right leg, exposing the brace underneath and said, "Mister, I want this one because I understand what he's going through,"
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