Living Horus - The Art of Blair Parkinson

It's her birthday...Gladys Kuchta

2013-06-16T14:07:00.001+08:00

The career of American soprano Gladys Kuchta probably would have been a lot more sensational had it not been for one thing, Birgit Nilsson. Blessed with a voice uncannily like that of La Nilsson, Gladys Kuchta also shared much of the same repertoire, notably the Wagner heroines, Aida, Elektra and as here, Turandot. As a result she was overshadowed by her more famous rival.

Listen to the audio below of In Questa Reggia and you will hear what I mean. There are also some very good biographical details in there to give you a little more information on this greatly underrated singer.

Fortunately there a quite a few live recordings still available and highlights from a filmed version of R.Strauss' Elektra with Regina Resnick uploaded to youtube (which unfortunately I am no longer able to find). Check them out if you can.

Happy birthday Gladys Kuchta, I need that hat.

Back on track with an Image of the Day

2013-06-15T14:44:00.002+08:00

Andrea Solari - Salome with the head of John the Baptist

It's been a difficult week struggling with anxiety but now I'm back. And nothing makes me feel more like me than an image of Salome and this is a particularly fine one I recently found and thought I'd share.

Currently I'm getting to know the new Janowsky Rheingold recording and enjoying it immensely. Expect a review in a few days. Have a great weekend.

It's her birthday...Ileana Cotrubas

2013-06-09T14:35:00.000+08:00

Endearing is often a word one associates with the talent of Romanian soprano Ileana Cotrubas. Her engaging stage presence and beautiful lyric voice made her popluar as Mimi, Gilda and Violetta in particular. These, her signature roles are well preserved on disc and film and still available.

I first heard her in the ROH La Boheme broadcast of 1983 and loved her ever since. In fact I only recently purchased a copy on DVD and her interpretation is a fresh as ever.

Here is a snippet of a Met broadcast of La Traviata from 1981, from E strano to the end of Act 1. You can also see the complete opera on YouTube too. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Carmina Burana

2013-06-08T16:56:00.000+08:00

Cover for the original score

Without doubt one of the most recognizable opening themes of any score ever, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana was first performed in Frankfurt on June 6, 1937. While the opening and closing bars are so completely famous, in between there is so much more to enjoy, full of rich choral work and great moments for the soprano, tenor and baritone soloists.

It's been performed in many different incarnations, from ballet, to concert versions and operatic stagings showing the versatility of the score and it's remarkable popularity. It's hard to deny it's impact when listening to it live in a concert hall, that's for sure. Who can ever forget it's use as the soundtrack for the cherry orchard scene in the movie Excalibur?

There are so many recordings in the catalogue, it's almost an embarrassment of riches. My favourite recording and the first one I owned on LP, which is now pretty much the only one I listen to, is the Deutsche Grammophon recording from 1968 featuring Gundula Janowitz, Gerhard Stolze and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau with the German State Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Eugene Jochum. It's won many prizes over the years and I doubt it's ever left the catalogue.

Below we have a complete concert version with Seiji Ozawa conducting the Berlin Philharmonic with Kathleen Battle, Thomas Allen and Frank Lopardo as the soloists. It's a great way to celebrate the weekend, enjoy.

Melbourne Ring Update

2013-06-05T22:26:00.000+08:00

It seems today that Richard Mills, conductor of the upcoming Opera Australia production of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen has resigned. Creative differences are cited for the 'amicable' departure.

A replacement has not yet been announced, however my thoughts are towards Asher Fisch, considering he'll be in Perth to begin his tenure as Chief Conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in the later part of this year.

You can read more about it by clicking on the photo of Mr Mills.

It's her birthday...Cecilia Bartoli

2013-06-04T19:05:00.001+08:00

My admiration for Cecilia Bartoli knows no bounds. She continually amazes me with each new release. I've written a fair bit about her recently so will keep this a short birthday wish.

Below is a highlight from the new Norma recording. It's the famous Mira, o Norma duet, sung here with Sumi Jo. I do hope you check it out, it's rather brilliant. Happy birthday Cecilia.

Is 'Triumphal' even a word?

2013-06-03T00:55:00.001+08:00

...according to the spellchecker on this thing, yes. Anyway this is image is more 'triumphant' than 'triumphal' for me...

I've been working on this concept of Aida for many years now, you know, the one where I use the same basic set for every scene, but the one scene I kind of always avoided in too much detail was the good ol' Grand Scene of Act 2 - 'the one with the elephants'.

And so here we are, 25 years later and I've decided to feel the fear and do it anyway, senza elephants.

Considering it's Verdi's bicentenary I figured I might finally finish this project. I consider it an interesting diversion from my Nibelungenlied project, not to mention quite a contrast.

Expect the remaining scenes to come soon, which means I'll be rearranging the Fantasy gallery to accommodate it accordingly. I hope you have a brilliant week.

Padmâvatî - Albert Roussel

2013-06-01T13:20:00.000+08:00

An inspired blend of opera and ballet makes a heady mix for this early Twentieth Century operatic excercise in Orientalism. This seldom performed gem was the result of Roussel's visit to the ruins of Chittor and is full of rich eastern harmonies and melodies.

It's rather ritualistic in it's construction, almost like an oratorio with movement and one of my favourite scores from the period. To me it ranks up there with Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe in exoticism and as first performed at the Paris Opera on June 1, 1923.

I love this score, it is rich and hypnotic, you could be forgiven for thinking it was Hollywood soundtrack in some parts. You can hear Roussel's influence on composers like Bernard Hermann for example, in his soundtrack to the 50's blockbuster about Akhenaton, The Egyptian.

There is a great role for mezzo in the title role herself, and much haunting, mystical chorus work. The example below is from the above recording and is the final ten minutes of the opera, when Rata-Sen is stoned to death and Padmâvatî joins him on the funeral pyre. And who doesn't like a good funeral pyre to finish off an opera?

Cheekbones to die for: Happy birthday Shirley Verrett (May 31, 1931 – November 5, 2010)

2013-05-31T19:39:00.000+08:00

Shirley Verrett - Carmen

Blessed with one of the most versatile voices in recent memory, Shirley Verrett will long remain an icon of operatic history. Her career spanned forty years and encompassed some of the greatest roles in both soprano and mezzo repertoires. She was a terrific vocal actress and her recordings often ranked among the best.

The first time I saw her was in a broadcast of Samson et Dalila from the ROH back in the 80's. She sang opposite Jon Vickers and it was a truly amazing performance. Her Carmen and Norma are are just as well known, as is her Tosca, which was filmed by the Metropolitan Opera in 1978. It's available on DVD and at Met On Demand.

The video below was a surprise when I found it this evening. It's a concert version of Isolde's Liebestod from 1977, she is in spectacular voice. One wishes she had of explored the Wagnerian heroines a little more after this, it's truly beautiful. Have a great weekend.

George London (May 30, 1920 – March 24, 1985)

2013-05-30T20:00:00.000+08:00

George London - Boris Godunov

Today is the birthday of the great American Bass-Baritone, George London. With his dark, sonorous voice and exceptional stagecraft it's no wonder his popularity spanned the globe. His career cut tragically short, we have at least quite a few recordings of his great roles to remind us of one of the greatest voices of the Twentieth Century.

Below is a trailer for a documentary about the man, from many of his contemporaries. I haven't seen it yet but am definitely going to check it out. He IS my favourite Wotan and Scarpia after all. Happy 93th birthday George London.

Time for some Caravaggio...

2013-05-29T21:51:00.002+08:00

Judith

One of the most dramatic of artists ever would have to be Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. His works have long been an inspiration to me. His creation of chiaroscuro is a constant source of beauty.

Great Wagner Singers - Deutsche Grammophon

2013-05-28T19:29:00.000+08:00

I'm loving this 6 disc box set that's been released by Deutsche Grammophon for Wagner's bicentenary year. It's quite a treasure trove of rarities and well known classics. The artwork is something special in it's own right. Click on the image for a brief review.

I'm eagerly awaiting the new Pentatone label Das Rheingold with Janowski conducting. A continuation of his complete Wagner opera series, it's the first of the Ring Cycle to be released. Fingers crossed it arrives before the weekend.

Image of the day

2013-05-27T20:23:00.000+08:00

Just a quick one today I'm afraid as I'm working on improving things around here. Callas' only foray into acting for the screen has always been a favourite film of mine, ever since I first saw it on SBS back in the early 90's.

The direction by Pasolini is remarkable, as are the costumes by Piero Tosi, especially those worn by Callas herself. The barbaric, brutal lifestyle is echoed brilliantly through the use of the Cappadocian landscape as a backdrop to Medea's barbarian land of Colchis, contrasting starkly with the city of Pisa as the setting for Corinth and the slightly more sophisticated court of Creon. Throw in a pantomime Centaur and a few hunky semi-clad warriors and we have a winner.

Here is one of the original posters. It would make a wonderful birthday gift for that certain friend don't you think? *cough*

The review is in...Bartoli's new take on Norma

2013-05-26T16:56:00.001+08:00

I've posted my review of the Decca recording of Bellini's Norma with Cecilia Bartoli and Sumi Jo, performed on original instruments by La Scintilla here.

If you do like a spot of bel canto I can strongly recommend that it's worth a listen, even those more familiar with earlier Baroque and Classical operas may be drawn to widen their repertoire on listening to this gem.

I hope you check it out for a gorgeous finale to your weekend.

Time for some colour...

2013-05-26T11:30:00.000+08:00

Salome - Henno Drop

...and nothing screams colour quite like an image of Salome. I'm always on the lookout for Salome art and today I came across this beauty by Netherlands artist Henno Drop.

The slight tilt in this one is exquisite and provides a deliciously askew, almost leering quality to the image. One of the best modern Salome's I've seen in quite a while.

Change is in the air...

2013-05-25T15:19:00.002+08:00

...around here, as I rearrange a few things over the weekend. It's time for a bit of clearing out and reorganisation as I group things differently in order to maintain a bit more continuity.

I'll keep you posted as I introduce a few new things over the next couple of days. Have a great weekend.

High Priestess: Cecilia Bartoli's New Norma

2013-05-24T20:59:00.001+08:00

Today I received a copy of Decca's new venture with Cecilia Bartoli, that of Bellini's Druidess, Norma. From what I've heard of it so far it's quite impressive, and highly original.

Below is part 1 of the trailer released recently. It's a good sneak peak behind the scenes with Bartoli and Sumi Jo.

I'll be posting a review sometime soon. Have a great weekend and don't forget to head to my YouTube video in the post below or here,shameless plug I know but I like the pageviews :-)

Happy Birthday Richard Wagner

2013-05-22T19:24:00.001+08:00

For my friends in certain parts of Europe that couldn't access the previous video, and for those who couldn't on their tablets and smart phones...I give you this...Happy birthday Richard Wagner :-) (although I'm sure he'd hate that smiley face)

Wagner 200: a personal tribute in images

2013-05-21T21:48:00.000+08:00

To mark the bicentennial of Richard Wagner's birth, here is the culmination of over nine months work and the completion of the first stage of my Nibelungenlied project. It's an animated progression of each scene from the depths of the Rhine to the final apocalypse of the Immolation Scene in a traditional setting.

There are few characters here, those that are there are purely present to judge the scale. Characters and costumes are the next stage of the project. From there I'll combine the two to encompass the entire story.

An ambitious project I know, but I'm up to it. It's been an inspirational journey.

Music is by Berliner Philhamoniker, Herbert von Karajan; Deutsche Grammophon, the most glowing accounts of the prelude.

Please share and enjoy...

Oops...part 2 - Image of the Day

2013-05-19T19:08:00.000+08:00

So remember when I said that I had done the last images? Well in preparing for the next phase of my project I decided to add a few more images in order to improve the flow of the work.

Here is a concept for part of the Immolation Scene, I've added this as part of a double post, kind of like a before and after if you will. I hope you check them out and have a brilliant week ahead.

Image of the Day

2013-05-18T12:24:00.001+08:00

Boris Christoff as Boris Godunov. One of the great bass voices of the 20th Century, Christoff would have been 99 today.

Image of the Day

2013-05-17T15:13:00.000+08:00

In honour of the great Birgit Nilsson on her birthday, she would have been 95 today.

Opera Australia Blog: Rehearsing the Ring cycle: Stuart Skelton explains...

2013-05-17T11:29:00.000+08:00

Opera Australia Blog: Rehearsing the Ring cycle: Stuart Skelton explains...:

The latest news from the Melbourne Ring has been posted on the Opera Australia blog - an interview with tenor Stuart Skelton.

Sounds like things are getting serious in Melbourne, I only wish I could be there for the lead up, the Festival and the performance itself. Let's just say I'm asking for a miracle.

Here it is...

2013-05-12T10:49:00.000+08:00

...the final scenic design concept for my Nibelungenlied project, to honor the bicentennial of Richard Wagner's birth. Siegfried, Act 1, Mime's forge.

The plan now is to commence work on character/costume designs and then gradually piece the whole thing together.

I'm working on a place to put all of these together and move them from the Fantasy Art gallery eventually since this theme has taken on a life of it's own.

I'm off to celebrate Mother's Day with my family, so whatever you do, have a wonderful Sunday.

Oops!

2013-05-11T15:36:00.000+08:00

After announcing I only had one more to go I suddenly realised on review of the work so far I had actually missed a vital scene, the second half of my Waldweben leading to where Siegfried slays the dragon Fafner and on to the end of the second act. So here it is.

I've broken through the pain barrier of the design for Siegfried Act 1, the one which has been eluding me for a while now. I may add it to the gallery tomorrow after a bit of fine tuning. Have a great weekend everyone.