What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Amfortas]

I still don't understand how this could have happened. Come clean, Hoffmann: which Bellini were you *really* listening to? You sure it wasn't Sonnambula?

[Florestan]

Over the past few days:

Barber of Seville, Marriner
L'elisir d'Amore, Muus
Martha (Flotow), Schuler
matrimonio, La cambiale di (Rossini), Renzetti
Flying Dutchman, Sinopoli

And one from the library:

[Hoffmann]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes! Broken ribs are no fun, but because I landed on my chest I likely avoided landing on my head, which might have been much worse. Besides, it only hurts when I laugh. And sneeze, and...

I still don't understand how this could have happened. Come clean, Hoffmann: which Bellini were you *really* listening to? You sure it wasn't Sonnambula?

I'm pretty sure it was Norma - but maybe I was distracted because I was listening to the Sutherland instead of Callas recording...

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes! Broken ribs are no fun, but because I landed on my chest I likely avoided landing on my head, which might have been much worse. Besides, it only hurts when I laugh. And sneeze, and...

So sorry to hear it, but glad that you are OK with painful but not life-threatening injuries. Oh bummer, we could have seen something together in NYC since I'm here right now, although quite busy with a professional convention on top of the operas (so no interviews this time). I'll be seeing that L'Italiana in Algeri for you tonight and half of the Guillaume Tell this Saturday (I have a meeting from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM and the opera starts at 12 noon, this time! I didn't realize it when I bought the ticket!).

[Florestan]

Not only Mariella Devia, but also has Anna Bonitatibus:

[Povero Buoso]

For yesterday's walk, I listened to my new recording of Il Trittico, but found it unsatisfying. I couldn't really figure out what Puccini was trying to do as the music seemed to meander so.

Finally, it was so noticeable that I decided to take a break and figure out how where I was in the recording - how much longer this was going to last. That was when I noticed that my download of the recording into iTunes had gone really wrong - tracks from Suor Angelica alternated with Il Tabarro tracks. No wonder I thought the operas were so weird.

Decent recording of Gianni Schicchi, though.

Back to the drawing board!

Results, therefore, were inconclusive.


Attachment 9973

I just keep imagining Nulla silenzio being followed by something like Senza mamma. That would make for very disconcerting listening!
Unfortunately my masters is keeping me busy* thus I haven't had an opportunity to listen or see anything new opera wise (Don Giovanni is trying to distract me though as a fragment of it popped up in a T.V show I watch and now I am aching to see it the rest of it watched the first scene and loved it before regaining control). I hope to get a chance to set aside some time within a fortnight or less though to watch it.

Also best wishes for a speedy recovery Hoffmann!

*I have also been distracted by the US election as it is like a moth to a flame for a student of the dark arts.

[Festat]

I still don't understand how this could have happened. Come clean, Hoffmann: which Bellini were you *really* listening to? You sure it wasn't Sonnambula?

Haven't you ever felt like throwing yourself on the floor while listening to Norma, though? Happens to me often.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Haven't you ever felt like throwing yourself on the floor while listening to Norma, though? Happens to me often.

As long as you don't chuck yourself on a pyre you're all good.

[Florestan]

[Florestan]

Giving this another spin (highlights). Not been able to get into this opera that I once saw live in the 1980s.

[Florestan]

I just found this in my boxes of opera CDs. Forgot I had purchased it and don't even know why I purchased it. But I figured I ought to give it a listen since I can't remember why.

[MAuer]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes! Broken ribs are no fun, but because I landed on my chest I likely avoided landing on my head, which might have been much worse. Besides, it only hurts when I laugh. And sneeze, and...

I'm pretty sure it was Norma - but maybe I was distracted because I was listening to the Sutherland instead of Callas recording...

What a horrible experience, and then having to miss your trip to New York because of it. That really is adding insult to injury. I hope you will recover quickly and be able to resume your favorite activities again.

[Festat]

I just found this in my boxes of opera CDs. Forgot I had purchased it and don't even know why I purchased it. But I figured I ought to give it a listen since I can't remember why.

Let me help you...

Reason 1: it's Vivaldi
Reason 2: covers looks pretty
Reason 3: Nancy Argenta

- - - Updated - - -

[Hoffmann]

I had the stitches removed yesterday and, as it was a beautiful day, decided I was feeling well enough to get out and walk. Although I can feel it this morning, it was good to get outside again. My listening was:





My mission was to see whether the optometrist in Georgetown would be able to rescue my favorite (20 yrs old) sunglasses, which looked damaged beyond repair from my fall. He looked at them kind of dubiously, but started to work at it and finally succeeded in twisting them back into good shape. Have to replace a lens, which was deeply gouged, but am very happy that this worked out!

[Florestan]

Yesterday: