tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post2091521269507333561..comments2023-10-12T15:03:15.389+01:00Comments on Lindsay's Romantics: What's Opera, Doc?Lindsay Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513558547686982857noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-69068917800815863252009-06-15T09:29:13.531+01:002009-06-15T09:29:13.531+01:00I completely agree with everything you said, Jade!...I completely agree with everything you said, Jade! It's such a treat to discover something/someone new. Carry on enjoying Topi, I know I will too! all the best,<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-32858550600210012632009-06-15T09:27:46.264+01:002009-06-15T09:27:46.264+01:00And some muses need more inspiration than others, ...And some muses need more inspiration than others, Steph - especially mine! Thanks for stopping by. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-91585628666468599472009-06-13T15:19:14.549+01:002009-06-13T15:19:14.549+01:00Thanks, Jane. I checked out the clips of J.D. Flor...Thanks, Jane. I checked out the clips of J.D. Flores and Dessay you recommended. They are great singers, but Topi remains my choice. There are clips of his concert with R. Villazon and P. Ciofi in Paris on Youtube, from which you can see his contemporary looks and wonderful performance of Monteverdi's "Perch se m'odiavi." As you said, one does not need to know Italian to understand what he is singing--just look at his face you will know the nuances of his feelings and thoughts.<br /><br />As for his looks, oh...mine:))! Standing 6"3 (about 190 cm), with cute dimples, expressive eyes, and nimble stage movements, Topi can be any director's ideal actor! (He has already worked under the baton of first-rate conductors since day one.) <br /><br />Given N. Hytner's superb direction, this extremely funny Cosi DVD definitely can be used to stimulate non-opera fans to enter the threshold.jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13597307148356834397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-24307942762249957682009-06-12T22:32:07.688+01:002009-06-12T22:32:07.688+01:00Nothing wrong with a little Opera. It can be very ...Nothing wrong with a little Opera. It can be very insipirational to the muse. Smiles, StephStephanie Burkhart https://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-6727990290618140662009-06-12T18:09:36.022+01:002009-06-12T18:09:36.022+01:00Well, LK, when it comes to combining stores with t...Well, LK, when it comes to combining stores with the arts, you're the one for sure! And yes, some voices can be easier to listen to than others, for all kinds of reasons...ha! ;-) This clip is a particularly beautiful area. Nice to hear from you, Loraine, thanks for stopping by. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-1618101017272033922009-06-12T18:05:49.423+01:002009-06-12T18:05:49.423+01:00Hi Linda, it takes all sorts! We don't all li...Hi Linda, it takes all sorts! We don't all like the same things, for sure. Your husband sounds like a man after my own heart, though, and yes, it is so much easier to find operas even on TV these days - satellite does have some good points after all! ;-)) Nice to hear from you. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-5888689882570397032009-06-12T15:44:39.206+01:002009-06-12T15:44:39.206+01:00Jane, I love when books incorporate music! There w...Jane, I love when books incorporate music! There was a country singer named Gary Morris who did an opera piece at the end of one of his albums and it was gorgeous. I like most male opera voices, but have trouble listening to the sopranos. This clip is beautiful.LK Hunsakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10706929624587891992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-30351857793690517162009-06-12T15:14:39.066+01:002009-06-12T15:14:39.066+01:00If you like opera, enjoy yourself.
I'm not a...If you like opera, enjoy yourself. <br /><br />I'm not an opera fan, maybe because I don't much listen to music. I like to read my romances. <br /><br />But my husband is an opera fan. He wasn't, but now that he can see recent filmed operas at the local movie theater, or even better, find the hi-def broadcast on a satellite, he loves them. Also, he likes music from way back, and he's a romantic, too.Linda Banchehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18143074276306710646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-82956350812826942182009-06-12T09:35:06.479+01:002009-06-12T09:35:06.479+01:00Hi Savanna - no, you're right, I understand th...Hi Savanna - no, you're right, I understand the hurting ears thing! And there's another reason I love opera, the deep level you mentioned. Something about the innermost thoughts being revealed, and this strange combination of both the strength and the vulnerability of the human voice has some weird effect on me deep inside. And Bug Bunny totally DOES count!! 'Yooo're so next!' I love that cartoon, poor Elmer in the barber's chair!<br />Lovely to hear from you. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-28189091573112228722009-06-12T09:31:05.215+01:002009-06-12T09:31:05.215+01:00Hi Jade, nice to meet you! I agree, this guy does...Hi Jade, nice to meet you! I agree, this guy does seem to have a wide, rich range. That's my preferred sort of tenor. :) I almost picked a clip of Juan Diego Flores for this, doing his nine spectacular top C's in La Fille du Regiment - clips available on YouTube! (and check out Natale Dessay's performance in that production - hilariously funny, and her singing is fab.) But in the end, Topi won out because I like his acting, too. That's what makes a complete singer, in my vvho. :) I don't have this Cosi on dvd yet, but it's my birthday soon......! Thanks for stopping by. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-40410041974474409472009-06-12T09:26:00.890+01:002009-06-12T09:26:00.890+01:00Hi Hiwela! Yes, so much power and passion, and I ...Hi Hiwela! Yes, so much power and passion, and I love how you've picked two very different operas as favourites. That's what I love too, the fact there's so much to choose from, and you constantly discover new things. It's so easy to get spoiled rotten! Lovely to see you. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-17512445560614082912009-06-12T08:02:16.181+01:002009-06-12T08:02:16.181+01:00I used to not like opera simply because some of th...I used to not like opera simply because some of the singing hurt my ears. I know that sounds strange, but some country western singers have the same affect on me, makes my ears physically hurt.<br /><br />However, I've seen a couple of operas I absolutely loved that were sung in English.<br />And, the Three Tenors on PBS, I had a thing for their voices.<br />The pageantry of the costumes and the grand richness of the story does appeal to me at a deep level.<br />Oh, and I confess, I always watched the Bugs Bunny Figaro cartoon when I was a kid. What was it? The Barber of Seville? I couldn't get enough of it. Okay, that doesn't count.Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-90241276786170898182009-06-12T03:42:10.308+01:002009-06-12T03:42:10.308+01:00He is my favorite tenor. I also admire his versati...He is my favorite tenor. I also admire his versatile voice--shining golden color in high notes, and dark warm color in lower notes (which made me wonder whether it was a baritone singing). I hope he soon will record solo albums.<br /><br />P.S. I just ordered some copies of Cosi DVD as presents for friends, having owned one.<br /><br />J.N.jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13597307148356834397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-18718449426972463452009-06-11T23:21:27.537+01:002009-06-11T23:21:27.537+01:00Hi Jane
Loved your post - I'm an opera too. ...Hi Jane<br /><br />Loved your post - I'm an opera too. I remember as a youngster being entranced by 'Carmen' which inspired me to read the book. Another of my favourite operas is 'Prince Igor' which had excerpts of the music lifted and used in the musical 'Kismet'There is so much power and passion in opera!Hywela Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789711554354184386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-17455835576738881312009-06-11T20:45:32.364+01:002009-06-11T20:45:32.364+01:00LOL! Yes, Maggie, who'd have thought opera si...LOL! Yes, Maggie, who'd have thought opera singers could have...well, phsyique??!!! Lots of it about, too. ;-) Lovely to see you too, my friend. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-48301199203728448212009-06-11T20:24:41.025+01:002009-06-11T20:24:41.025+01:00Hi Jane,
Its so good to see you back online. We...Hi Jane,<br />Its so good to see you back online. We've missed you, girlfriend. Bunches. Opera isn't my thing, but I greatly admired the phsyique of the young man whose clip you posted.<br />Hugs!!!Maggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-61446030688974384312009-06-11T19:13:52.002+01:002009-06-11T19:13:52.002+01:00Celia, that's funny! lolol Bless 'er, wh...Celia, that's funny! lolol Bless 'er, whoever she was. Yes, opera is used as soundtrack a lot, and have you noticed how many tv ads use it? So then the pieces become 'the Bailey's Irish Cream music,' or 'the British Airways ad.' I'm sure there must be US equivalents! Thanks for stopping by, lovely to see you. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-73430467273738177222009-06-11T19:11:15.190+01:002009-06-11T19:11:15.190+01:00Hello Kathleen, I love light and funny operas too,...Hello Kathleen, I love light and funny operas too, and very often they have loads of comedy in them, so they're perfect pick-you-ups. Can't be doing with doom and gloom all the time! Thanks for dropping by. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-46795973531437425392009-06-11T16:15:44.026+01:002009-06-11T16:15:44.026+01:00Hi, Jane--years ago I watched an interview with so...Hi, Jane--years ago I watched an interview with some young singer, and the question was--"So, do you like opera?" <br />"Oh, yes," she gushed. "I LOVE opera. The Phantom of the Opera is my very favorite!" ha,ha. <br />Me? I don't exactly love it, but I love the songs that are rich and beautiful. In PHILADELPHIA, when Tom Hanks goes home to his lonely life, and turns on opera. Oooh, gives me goosebumps. CeliaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-82383760254484697452009-06-11T16:06:19.310+01:002009-06-11T16:06:19.310+01:00I can't say I love opera, but I do like some o...I can't say I love opera, but I do like some operas.. I like the light and funny ones... I have gone on a rare occasion and quite enjoyed myself.Kathleen Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10750925187927330976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-63753077553475535812009-06-11T15:17:59.135+01:002009-06-11T15:17:59.135+01:00Hi Kaye! It's true, people do either love it ...Hi Kaye! It's true, people do either love it or hate it, though it could be said that sometimes opera doesn't do itself any favours - accusations of elitism and so on. Things are changing, maybe not so much in the old-style establishments, but it's easier to see and hear good opera these days. I'm so glad you love it! :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-84841850679668293432009-06-11T15:15:05.304+01:002009-06-11T15:15:05.304+01:00Hi Mona, nice to see you. How wonderful about you...Hi Mona, nice to see you. How wonderful about your neice being a singer, and that she's passed her love to you too. I think writers and singers are very similar in the way the lay themselves open when they 'perform.' Maybe that's another connection that resonates with us? Good luck to your niece! And thank you so much for dropping by. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-88198996993832550552009-06-11T15:12:17.296+01:002009-06-11T15:12:17.296+01:00Hello Autumn (gorgeous name!) I agree with you ab...Hello Autumn (gorgeous name!) I agree with you about the passion and the fullness. There's a kind of commitment in opera and singers that I particularly like. Hope you enjoyed Topi on your second listening too! Thanks for coming by. :)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-17728130996254216952009-06-11T15:10:14.108+01:002009-06-11T15:10:14.108+01:00Hi Lindsay! 'Tosca' is one of my favourit...Hi Lindsay! 'Tosca' is one of my favourite operas. Just thinking about Scarpia and the chorus at the end of Act 1 gives me goosebumps. I'm partial to a nice baritone myself, but as tenors go, I do like this guy. He has a very versatile voice. I envy you visiting La Scala, how wonderful. And it's funny you should ask, I actually do have a wip with a backstage heroine and a secondary character who is a singer! (But don't hold your breath....;-)<br /><br />Jane xJane Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633011977001159724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350339348313810194.post-78886549867867632662009-06-11T15:02:43.244+01:002009-06-11T15:02:43.244+01:00Great post! Opera is as you say-- but I do know th...Great post! Opera is as you say-- but I do know this-- people either love it or hate it. To me, it's wonderful. Thanks Jane.Kaye Manrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03639814610213100626noreply@blogger.com