Paris in the spring .......ooooh, and Dalapicollo!

Yes, here I am, staying in a most elegant flat, ten minutes walk from The Palais Garnier with my hostess, the distinguished English singer - Rosalind Plowright. After depositing my things here, we went straight to the theatre for her rehearsal of "Il Prigionero". During our usual breathing routine, we were treated to the strains of several gentlemen "ploughing" relentlessly through their scales in other dressing rooms (ouch - my unfavourite sounds !) Rosalind then went on stage and sang like a dream - unbelievable artistry, characterisation - and "pinged" the Mamma role to perfection, text and voice in great form. During this rehearsal a familiar voice sounded out of the dark auditorium - very airy and immediately recognisable as - Alessandro - the stage director I'd met last summer in the impressive new Valencia Opera House - (when I was there for Anna Larsson's remarkable "elevated" Fricka) surprise, surprise ! Rosalind said that he's the one who has organised my security pass, but he hadn't realised it was for me, as he didn't know my surname - so did he have a surprise too - much hugging and rejoicing as you can imagine. Earlier I was introduced to Rosalinds' son (in the opera), a tenor, and he reminded me that we had met several years ago when he was a member of Malmo Opera - small world...worked there during the preparation of "Kristina fran Duvemala", the Abba musical, among other pieces.....happy days... Peter Joback is a very efficient breather with my routine ... yes, it works for all musical disciplines .... Rosalind and I walked back to the flat, sniffing blossoms of the many shrubs along the way - well, we are English after all and can't resist their fragrances - it's all to do with breathing in gently and awakening the perfume sensors in the brain ..mmmmm... k..p b.......g.. I wonder who might turn up tomorrow .....