There's not much to say at the moment. We're all just watching and waiting. Our country is calm and safe and, above all, small. We all know someone who knows someone. We've crowded around the TV and radio, waiting to hear more. I've spent the last couple of days working with eleven year olds, and today had to start answering questions about the earthquake. I tried to focus on good things, like the way everyone is pulling together to help, how they're looking out for one another. But I know those kids will go home, turn on the television and see it all. They'll feel that visceral pain we're all feeling at the moment, of seeing your country literally torn apart, ripped at the seams, collapsed in a heap. 

At the moment, they need money. You can donate to the red cross, or click here for more information.

I guess some people like it hot, I personally prefer classical music

Tony Curtis has passed away. RIP Josephine!

bummed out

A bummed-out opera playlist:


1. Vesti la guibba (Pagliacci). Canio discovers his wife has been unfaithful, but has to go and do a clown act. Bummer.
2. Dove sono (Marriage of Figaro). Countess Almaviva wonders why her husband is unfaithful, jealous and angry all at once.* 
3. Kuda, kuda (Onegin). Lensky muses on his impending duel with his BFF. 
4. Un bel di (Madame Butterfly). Madame Butterfly  imagines what its going to be like when her man comes back. He comes back with another lady, so she stabs herself.
5.  Mamicko, Mam Tezoku Hlavu (Jenufa). Jenufa is a very, very sad opera. "Gritty realism" "infanticide" "facial disfigurement". Meep. 





NB: Most of these I've actually put up here before, because I like sad songs. Also: lots of operas are sad.
*Because he's a DUDE.

chip chip chip chip chip

Sorry to tirade you with posts about my life which only Lou will care about BUT look at this photo of my family's new kitten. His name is Chip! I wanted to call him Rudy but my sisters said no. This photo was taken around the time that he had the, err, snip? Apparently he wept a single tear, but afterwards was fine. Anyway, just LOOK AT HIS LITTLE FACE.

called up your number fourteen times/to see if you were home

I LOVE Andrew W K. Especially for showing The Guardian the song which earned him a juvenile restraining order.

"She consumed me with both lust and hatred – lust, because I was truly drawn to her beauty and soft skin, and hatred because she rarely spoke to me, wouldn't look at me much and never gave me a chance to show her my deep affections. I used to call her house just to listen to her say, "Hello?" Then I'd hang up, terrified and shaking with nervous ecstasy."

He goes on to discuss how he wound up having to see a child psychologist, who said he had "a devillish side", and how he recently was advised by his personal life coach to "let it go".

My Destiny

Called Up Your Number Fourteen Times
To See If You Were Home
Home Is Where I'll Find You
When I Find You

Do You Feel Lonely When You're Alone
A Sheet To Keep You Warm
Warm – Electric Blanket
An Extra Blanket

You Are My Destiny
I'll Make You Fall In Love With Me
I'll Make Myself Your Fantasy
Weeping Like The Willow Tree

Drove Past Your Doorway Fifteen Times
I Don't Want To Cause You Harm
Harm – That's What You're In For
If You Don't Open Your Door

So I'll Keep Knocking A Million Times
I Will Knock Until My Knuckles Bleed
Bleed – That Blood Will Leave A Stain
On You Forever

You Are My Destiny
And I'll Make You Fall In Love With Me, Me, Me

my baby just wrote me a letter

Originally, I found this to be waay too long for my plebian tastes but it grows on you. This is actually a shorter version than the one I have on my ipod. The more I listen to it the more I realise how much every note is needed to make the point, how you can hear the excitement and the hope and the longing develop.

My favourite rendition of this is by Nuccia Focile (what a name...) but sadly it is not on the internet. So instead I chose this one by Terese Zylis-Gara. Its not really worth watching but you should definitely listen to it. It was amazing seeing Anna Leese perform it live, too.

While we're at it, this is Lensky's aria from Onegin. This one really gets the Russophile in me going! It just sounds so damn RUSSIAN. and melancholy. He's about to duel his best friend, which is why. NOTE: This singer looks a bit like Trotsky. Ours, Roman Shulackoff, looked like Heathcliff! Big wigs are always the right choice.



PS. Wasn't our production beautiful? Sets by Genevieve Blanchett and Direction by Patrick Nolan, conducted by Alexander Polianichko. Images by Jane Ussher for NBR NZ Opera.