BLOGArchive for April, 2008“I don’t know anything about music. In my line you don’t have to.” – Elvis PresleyRight now I’m going 1022km/hr. Just over five hours out of Rome, over the United Arab Emirates. After two months in bella Roma working with two of the most famous operas in the world, Puccini’s Fanciulla del West (Girl of the Golden West) and Tosca, it’s time to head back Down Under to prepare for [...] “If music be the food of love, play on: give me excess of it…” – William ShakespeareI can’t believe how many students come to watch the opera here. When I asked how much they pay, the answer was €3,00. That’s about AUD$5.00! The theatre was completely full. What they don’t sell to the public three days before a concert goes to the students at these prices or late sales. Why Australian [...] “I have no pleasure in any man who despises music. It is no invention of ours: it is a gift of God. I place it next to theology. Satan hates music: he knows how it drives the evil spirit out of us.” – Martin LutherTonight, opening night of Puccini’s Tosca! A few hours to go before jumping into my tux, doing the hair, eyebrows, nostril hairs… well, not quite! This is really a most magnificent production (of any opera I have ever worked on or seen!). I wish it could come to Australia but with a set 6 stories [...] “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – PlatoThank you very much to everyone for all your messages and emails. This year is certainly shaping up to be the most exciting yet! Today, however, I am very saddened by the passing of a great friend, and amazing person, Kathy Thiele. The most beautiful person I have ever met; and someone who made me [...] “We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.” -Decca Recording Company rejecting the Beatles, 1962Today it is an extreme honour for me to announce receiving an amazing award for conducting from the Australian Council for the Arts. After working very hard for the last years (and even at those times when it does get too hard), this is hugely exciting and a great inspiration for me and for Australian [...] Farewell Fanciulla!Tonight is closing night for Puccini’s Fanciulla del West here in Rome. After working on this score and production every day for the last month, I’m not sure how I feel that come tomorrow, the score will no longer be sitting on my desk. However, in place of a holiday (or even a weekend off), [...] He who throws dirt is losing groundHow someone catches pasta on fire is beyond me. Emergency switches to turn off the gas were a brilliant invention, even if they are placed BEHIND the stove. I’m typing this as preparations for the fifth performance of Fanciulla del West are taking place. I’ve included a video below of the opening night bis (encore) [...] Life isn’t like a box of chocolates. It’s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.Well, Opening Night has closed. What an amazing experience. The red carpet, the media, the celebrities, the politicians (yes, they actually go to arts events here), the tails, the ornate gorgeous ball gowns, and then the first notes of music silence everyone. Bravo to Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti, Maestro Giancarlo del Monaco (Director) and the main [...] |
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