Il Viaggio a Reims - Rossini (on TV)

A recording of the production at the Chatelet in Paris,  a combined effort of the Kirov Opera and Théâtre du Châtelet

Had me googling to remind myself of the history I "studied" years ago.  This one-act opera was written to celebrate the coronation of Charles X of France in 1824.  The monarchy was briefly restored after the Revolutionary years, and Napoleon.

Some very entertaining singing and acting - particularly the Contessa de Folleville (great name) in her extravagant costumes.  No wonder we could hardly follow the plot, though - there isn't much of one - a crowd of European aristos trying to get to Reims for the coronation, and the problems they have.

(I may add more later.)

Die Fledermaus on TV

This was the 1990 performance at Covent Garden, on New Years Eve, where Joan Sutherland made her last public appearance in the party scene - in fact she, Pavarotti and Marilyn Horne almost hi-jacked the opera. ;-)

Alas no subtitles.  They would have helped, even though the singing was in English.  An odd one - with a lot of talking , which did help to understand the story - which basically involves a lot of flirting and deception and confusion of identities all round.

La Traviata in Northampton

Excellent evening in Derngate Theatre.  La Traviata performed by the Ukrainian National Opera of Kharkiv.

The evening went by at high speed and was thoroughly entertaining.

Winter in Madrid - CJ Sansom

I looked for this a couple of times last week after a friend mentioned Sansom's historical detective stories featuring Shardlake.  I couldn't find it. I wondered if I'd given it away.  Then, as usual, it turned up, just when I'd stopped searching.  So I'm reading it again.

I find myself involved with the characters in the way I used to be when much younger.

I finished it. The ending is sad in several ways, plus an odd twist at the end.   I find Sansom's writing impressive.


Guardian interview with the author

Peter Grimes - Britten

NY Met Opera from 2008, televised.

Brilliant scenery, totally in tune with the dark story-line and the powerful music.  Based on the Net-drying sheds at Hastings .

Review in New York Times

More on Peter Grimes as a character from the Independent 2004

John Clare

A recent walk from Helpston has made me wish to read a little more of this 'Northamptonshire Peasant Poet'.    But where the hell have I put that book?

The book has turned up, so I'll read some of the poems in the next few weeks.

More later.

Jane Eyre - with Charlotte Gaisbourg

Gainsbourg makes a fine adult Jane, but the action feels very compressed.