It's cooler.....

Yes, there's a little hint of autumn "a'comin' in" - and the most important task for me now is - what to pack for my Stockholm visit next week ? Sure as 'eggs is eggs', if I turn up with warmer togs there'll be 'an unseasonal heatwave', and if I stay in summer clothes - we'll have a 'cold snap'... so I think I'll wear two layers, then I can shed or don as the weather dictates ... That reminds me of an amusing incident, when I was playing the leading lady, in Ivor Novello's musical "Perchance to Dream", many moons since, when I had the proverbial 'hour glass figure' - oooh yes I diiid !!.Use your imagination.... The show is set in three different generations - you play yourself, then your daughter - and finally, your own Granddaughter ! This entailed a very quick costume change from Victorian crinoline to 1920's "flapper" dress. The only way to achieve it was to 'underdress' the 20's costume, whizz offstage to the quick change room and strip off the crinoline. All well and good for several performances until there was a change of conductor - without a technical rehearsal to give him some idea of timings......ooops - economy- ! Always a hairy situation all round - technical crews, wardrobe and makeup staff sometimes have to cope with a lot of stress on these occasions.....and poor dancers, if they haven't had time to rehearse - the 'flying ballet ' can manifest itself. In "Orfee" at Stockholm Royal Opera last spring, with a change of M.D., the ballet master 'shot' out of the production box with a stifled expletive, and made it onstage in Olympic time to assist in harnessing the incredibly versatile Anna ('Orfee' Larsson) for her spectacular "Cirque du Soleil" slow motion tumble down to Hades - they just made it.....phwooor. The dancers survived the double paced sequence - and did Ana Lugana and I we ever hold our breath - and hands - so long... Such is the excitement of the adreniline rush which typifies the 'live' performance and keeps things moving along ...and hooow! Back to Novello - quick costume change. So, there was I, with a third of the rehearsed time to swap costumes, due to superfast tempi set by the new conductor, and no way of making it to the little changing room, so we just got on with it in the wings. The routine was that I simply held my arms up over my head, two wardrobe ladies unhooked the bodice at the back (no zips then..) and pulled the crinoline down;, whilst a third lady held up the bodice of the flapper frock. In the ensuing panic, third lady didn't make it, so I found myself doing the only striptease of my professional life - and that really does take your breath away and turn ones cheeks puce - hands clutch boobs, stagehands TRY NOT to look - you must be joking ...! (I can hardly write for laughing at this reminiscence). At the time I had very presentable 'assets' - wouldn't dare do it now as the sight might blind the crew .....has anyone else had such excitement in a spontaneous and un-rehearsed scene....? This week a nine year old American boy pianist is giving a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. He's been playing since he was - two - and is very impressive with a precocious talent....let's hope he's not burnt out in his youth as is so often the case with ambitious parents.....! Personally I was a 'late starter' and am still 'trying to catch up with meself' - that's not a mis-spelling but an 18th. Century 'turn of phrase' - just my era...!!! Hee he he..madcow disease is still about.....To all of you, especially my lovely breathers, be happy and inspired. Yesterday I had a mind blowing session with the Remarkable Rosalind P - she's off to give them a treat in Seattle soooon, and watchit - I'm storing up energy for you all over the North Sea ........aaaaah, I look forward to the fresh air of Sweden and much fuuun....not to mention that little number hovering on the horizon - "S & D" 13/09/08 ......k..p b.......g...

Our " Golden Olympics " are over - and we're "gobsmacked " !!

"Gobsmacked" ? To those who are not familiar with this rather vulgar expression, it means "How the Dickens did we do it" ? Do WHAT ? It hardly seems real, but our wonderful Olympic athletes have arrived home with 19 GOLD medals, and a total 47, including silver and bronze .....WOOOOW ! It's the best result for 100 years !! I guess we are slow developers so there must be hope for the future...here's to 2012 in London. Considering the one + billion Chinese, millions of Russians and Americans, it does seem as though the Gods (whoever..) were smiling on us, and the Earth Angels were certainly flapping about - long may it last.... After those days - and nights- of heightened emotions all round - just as much here in the U.K. as in China, it's so quiet now, just Shady and me, (he's actually not that quiet when hes 'caterwalling' ..), no raising the voice and shouting 'Go for it' at the crucial last few seconds of a competition - as though they could hear .....Well, we all wanted to do our little bit to energise the contestants - and I believe that encouragement, through the ether, is powerful....many of my singers are inspired by it, or so they tell me....The person I was most concerned about was not an athlete but the commentator of the rowing events - he was so excited he all but split his vocal folds oooowh, painful to my ears and stressful to my throat - the same as experienced when listening to an un-focussed and airless voice 'singing', it takes hours for me to be able to swallow comfortably - know what I mean .? The final flourish, typical of this zany nation, was the apllication of a golden nose cone on the British Airways plane that brought the team home!! It was such a dignified greeting ceremony, with none of the super-power "glitz"and overstatement, just a lot of gold medals dangling around proud necks - we couldn't compete on those terms, so we did the "What's all the fuss about " routine - quaint. Yes, we will have a much "cooler" approach in four years time....we don't have to advertise that we're great, everybody already knows ..!! (Teasin', teasin'....) Now we await that Swedish "Golden Girl" event - "S & D" Royal Opera, Stockholm - 19.30 Sat. 13th. Sept. 2008, and if you don't know what I'm referring to, look back a few blogs - it is a very special date with destiny......My poor old eyes are still puffy from "blubbing" with joy for the winners from all races, and compassion for the 'losers' - 'losers' -no such thing ! To qualify and be chosen for such a life changing International collaboration makes them all winners in my book....So, k..p b.......g ....the most important element for all the Olympic athletes.......

Another Breathtaking Triumph ...!

Yes, yet another 'Simsonic Breather' has triumphed at The Royal Albert Hall , London in last night's BBC Promenade Concert. This time it was the Remarkable Rosalind (Plowright ) singing the manic Mother in "Osud", a rarity by Janacek, conducted superbly by the distinguished Jiri Belohlavek, chief conductor of the B.B.C Symphony Orchestra . The piece was presented as a sort of moving concert, with the singers appearing in different areas, not just a 'music stand line-up', and it worked. The scoring is fascinating, some interesting instumental colours and textures, I particularly liked the use of the xylophone, and the triangle being 'tickled' gently - it just 'pinged' through the orchestra - such a brave notion !! As for Miss Plowright, O.B.E., what can I say ? She has moved into a new phase of brilliance and her magnetic, poised presence drew us to her, even when sitting quietly awaiting her cue - it's true charisma, something I've mentioned before that cannot be taught - you either goddit or you ain't...and by golly - she goddit ! For me, Rosalind and the excellent tenor, Stefan Margita, were outstanding, although much of the time he stood 'solid' with arms stoically crossed tightly around his ample chest. I learned later that this was the way he had been directed to play it in a fully stage production. Personally I spend most of my time, when directing singers, encouraging them to leave the rib cage free and open - it helps the diaphragm to function naturally...but it didn't prevent him 'turning on' some beautiful phrases with dazzling dynamics - you can hear them on - bbc.co.uk/radio3 for up to six days from today. On my homeward journey, three people, absolute strangers, at different times, seeing the Prom. programme I was carrying, spontaneously started to talk about the performance and the only artist they mentioned was - Rosalind - she had inspired us all, and being English we all wanted to share the joy... I didn't let on to any of them that I know her, (it often stops the conversation, putting up an embarrassed barrier); each recalled the various roles they had seen her in, and subsequently become devotees - I was sorely tempted to hug each one, but curbed my enthusiasm for fear of being arrested for molestation ! Any of you who knows me and my effusive nature will comprehend the caution...!! It's always getting me into trouble - he he heee....So, Dear, patient Rosalind - CONGRATULATIONS .....we're all so proud of you.... and thank you Heavenly Hillevi (Martinpelto) for bringing us together k..p b.......g all of you...it heeeeelps.!!

Th'lympics and Ludicruos Schvinglish limericks.....

Having spent nearly all night watching the Olympics - yes, I'm addicted, as there is no one here to suggest I be sensible and go to bed - I found myself very bleary eyed, with bags under the bags (!), and still gawping at 06.30 this morning - really must be mad ! My main interest is in the breathing techniques of the competitors - the conclusion is that whatever works for you, trust it. In the case of winning sprinters and track athletes, it is noticable that they have terrific poise, head nicely up - not chin in their chest, minimal rotation of the spine, arms swinging easily, non-aggro expression, controlled exhalation through gently pursed lips, and diaphragmatic release for inhalation - don't you just love watching those rib cages ? Another aspect I find refreshing is that we don't have to witness those steroid pumped up hideous muscular specimens from of a few years ago. Whilst on the staff of The University of Birmingham, I liaised with the sports department to develop and show them my survival breathing technique. The senior coach was a member of the the Olympic medical team and his specific responsibility was to determine the sex of competitors....hmmmm...never asked him how....Like most most medics, they couldn't initially believe that I was capable of living a perfectly healthy and active life with such damaged lungs . Nature and time are the most reliable healers. At Beijing 2008 there have been spectacular results, and I am most impressed that there are such charming, natural people, dolly little ladies and fabulous hunks of men - weightlifting ...unbelievable.... don't mess with any of them... I particularly liked one gorgeous little Asian 'butterfly', skriiieking what sounded like a mouthful unsavoury oathes - who knows, but it worked. She won, lifting a weight equivalent to that of my big car .......phwooor ! That other wonderfully feminine lady, not at all over muscular, is the Russian Pole Vault champion - oh, the way she glides over the bar at the end of a pole, must be the next best thing to flying...? The most touching feature about this lovely, slim, tall, Elena Isinbaeva is that her facial makeup is perfect, with deep set eyes enlarged with mascara - I think she could be Anna Larssons' sister - did you notice the likeness...? To change subject, what are the "ludicrous limericks" ? 'tis their essence to be frivolous - so here goes = A very good tenor from Nacka, enjoyed eating prawns on a cracker ! To train his top "C" he'd breathe out and sing "EEEEE"' - and then nibble his way through a 'macka' ..!! (smorgasbord I'm assured...) Please feel free to write your brainwaves down - and do k..p b.......g....

What's in a name.......?

As Shakespeare wrote - "What's in a name ? A rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet..." This reference alludes to Anna's (Larsson) blog "Madge and Homer"... which was prompted by the many versions of "Samson and Delilah" title that she has encountered in the run up to the presentation of her forthcoming interpretation of "Dalilah" (here we go again....), next month at The Royal Opera, Stockholm. My first instance of the various spellings was when I 'breathed' with singers of the Folkoperan Company, in Stockholm, some years ago. For me it was the publicity banner on the front of the building which boldly declared " Simson Delila " . What's this "Sims on Delila" I giggled ? Well really, I thought it sounded a bit rude - what a prude..... oooops... Seriously though, there's a new series on BBC t.v at the moment -"Maestro" and it's a real gas - (hysterically funny). A group of celebrities, not trained as conductors, learning how to control/direct an orchestra. Lucky they - it's the excellent BBC Concert Orchestra, who couldn't play badly if they tried. How rib tickling it is observing them, making fairly good sense out of the mysterious gestures and grimaces of these 'conductors' - it's such great fun, and so AWFULLY Eeeenglish !!! (Taking the p... out of ourselves is a National sport, don't ya know...?!) One of the participants is called Goldie, because in his youth he had a magnificent head of golden curls. Today he sports a shaven head to fit in with his Pop D.J. image. Unable to read music, and left handed, he is not daunted by the prospect of standing in front of these illustrious musicians and flinging his arms about - maybe bus conducting is his natural genre methinks ....? Mercifully, he is in fact, very musical, and the panel of judges are united in their opinion that he IS a natural music conductor - fascinating. At one of the rehearsals he sported a large black, curly haired wig - a la Gustavo Dudamel, the Mercurial Venezuelan conductor, who scored yet another major triumph with the Gothenberg Symphony Orchestra at a Promenade concert in London last week. Such an inspired evening, featuring Martin Frost, Director of the Vinterfest in Mora, Dalarna, Sweden, a scintillating clarinetist; I've never seen or heard anything like it before , not only playing but dancing - talk about genius, wonderful when a group joins forces, Anna L. was one of the artists in that same festival - life enhancing event.... Interesting how the circles overlap...which leads us back to the beginning of this epistle, with the delectable Dalarna Delila/Delilah/Dalila/ - whatever - yes, the enigmatic Anna Larsson - Megabreather Extraordinaire ..... O.K. I am totally in awe of this lady - is there no end to her talent - not that I've discovered yet..... what a joy .......the nickname her gorgeous, vocally gifted tenor husband Goran has bestowed upon me is 'Simsibimsi' - ain't that greeeaat, I just loooove it . As Noel Cowerd, that unique English wit wrote " I don't care what you call me, as long as you call !" So, 'bye for now - Anna Simsibimsi ....na - na - nana - na... and pleeeease k..p b.......g...

The Olympics - Bolt, and by George - he did !!...Now for Anna's 'discipline' .....

What am I whittering on about now ? That amazing young Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt - phhwoorr ! Did you ever see anything like it ? No, of course not, because he just broke the previous Olympic record, set by the brilliant Michael Johnson, running it in 9.69 seconds - impossible one would have thought before today. One meaning in English for 'bolt' = "to run away very suddenly" and that's just what Mr. Bolt did, even relaxing the last few metres and cantering home !! The most noticable thing about this win was that Usain made it look so EASY, and it IS for him, lots more to come now , he was dancing for the spectators before the start, and just ran for fun, the element that is so often missing in modern sporting events - you know what I think about the primaeval antics of some tennis players at Wimbledon this year. It was a misery to behold - so I stopped beholding and waited to hear the result later. Usain Bolt - we now await the 200 metre event - don't miss it if you want to be inspired, I noticed he was simply controlling his exhalation, blowing out with pursed lips, and allowing the air to restore itself in the manner I endeavour to instil in 'my Breathers', by simply letting the diaphragm restore the inhalation. It works for them as it does for him - and especially for - Anna (Larsson), the Swedish Contralto phenomenon. Her "Olympic discipline" is singing, and it dawned on me today, that her preparation for a role or lied equates with that of an athletes'. When Anna sings she brings in to play a complex accummulation of experience and artistry gained over a period of years at the highest level. Her dedication, application and attention to detail have brought her to the position she now holds on the world stage, and rightly so. Which is why I have witnessed her steady rise, through bronze, silver and now gold medal status.....and the best is yet to come ... As someone remarked recently 'She makes it look and sound so easy !" - just like Mr. Usain Bolt. So, Miss Larsson - we look forward with great anticipation of your newest 'Gold Run' - the intriguing 'Dalilah' ....toi, toi, toi....and don't forget folks ...k..p b.......g...

08 - 08 - 08.....

A very rare and , hopefully, auspicious date.....auspicious, according to the Oxford English dictionary = of good omen, favourable, prosperous - and so let it be... and that it bodes well for some kind of unification and betterment of world order..... "hope springs eternal in the savage breast" as the saying goes. With the staggeringly stupendous and sensational opening ceremony of the 29th. Olympic Games in Beijing, pheeew, it really took one's breath away at times, and occasionally drew a tear - the little boy who survived the Sechuan earthquake disaster, after encouraging his schoolmates to survive when they were buried under their school building until they were rescued; such spontaneous courage. How tiny he looked alongside the Chinese champion basket ball player - 6 foot 7 inches tall.....Observing the proliferation of spectacular firework displays throughout the event, some of the overshadowing 'smog' cloud around the city might be explained - they must surely have rehearsed them beforehand... Yes, yes, it's my whimsy Simsy sense of the ridiculous rearing it's lovely head as usual, to make light of what may be a true factor - are you following me so far.... jolly clever if you are ...tee hehe..!
It would take several days to write about the unbelievable imagination which inspired such a diverse exhibition of Chinese traditions, and their are fifty six Chinese ethnic groups, all of which were represented. Not surprising then that they were inventing world changing scientific systems, making exquisite clothes, developing artistic creativity and life enhancing pursuits, (plus some unmentionable tortures) when we were running about in animal skins, painted blue with woad - dyestuff extracted from a plant of the cabbage family...
Naturally, my favourite episode was the Chinese Opera - I use that technique, having learned it in Taiwan. It's invaluable for demonstrating 'incisive ping' in very high voices particularly, but also works for any range, even basses ..! Come along and try it sometime, it increases the intensity of sound dramatically without any effort, however unbelievable that may seem, as long as you are connected breathing wise........yes, it always comes back to that, so don't lose it in the first place pleeeease... and, k..p b.......g...

Peace and quiet......aaahhhh.....

This morning a friend took me to the local Buddhist monastery for lunch, and it's the most peaceful location in the area....like being in a different world, but then, it is. There is such a serene and loving atmosphere there, and people of every race and creed are welcomed. The site was originally an Army camp during the last war - such an irony. Of course, it was a non - combatant residence, and now serving the same purpose of putting a roof over the head...Many a prayer has been made on this property over the years, and it does feel blessed. The chanting was particularly grounding, so resonant - no stressed breathing - similar to when I hum with my devoted breathers - for me it is massaging the soul....calming....When one is aware of the distress currently present for monks, in Tibet and Thailand in particular, England must be a green and pleasant haven for those here; may we never lose our compassion for our fellow beings, whoever, where - ever they may be...somehow I think I'll be going there again, just to appreciate all the good I am blessd with - it puts everything in focus sublimely.....k..p b.......g and find your peace....

The 'polluted' Olympics......and I don't mean by drug cheats.....!

The pollution in question is the pall of, who knows what , hanging over "The Bird's Nest", as the Beijing stadium has been nicknamed. So, the buildings and facilities are magnificent, but I don't think my (pathetic) lungs would feel very comfortable in that atmosphere for more than a few hours.... The authorities have explained that it is a 'heat haze', which might be true if it evaporated when the temperature drops - but it doesn't - pull the other one ! In respect of blatantly cheating, one British Olympic champion runner, who won by using performance enhancing drugs, was stripped of his honours, and consequently banned from competing for life. Recently he appealed against the ban - he IS our fastest runner. In the High Court, his appeal was overturned by the Judge -"It is for life " ! There was not one British champion who agreed that he should be allowed to take part this time, deeming that he'd had the opportunity to 'play it straight', and in fact, had prevented another athlete from having the opportunity in the first place. It would be more to his credit if he expressed some kind of regret, stopped being arrogant, swallowed humble pie, and addressed his efforts to helping talented athletes achieve their best performances without artificial stimuli, that would surely make much more of an impact.....Regarding the use of drugs to win - how sad that the original aims of these Games have been polluted by a few talented people who have no sense of honour, integrity or respect - 'tis a very human characteristic, which is fuelled in some cases by the 'God of Gold' - financial greed, as termed in Schoenberg's "Moses and Aaron", a breathtaking epic in which I was a peasant at The Royal Opera, London in ...1964 (!!!) - would you believe ? It all changed when the Olympic events were opened to professional athletes and lost their amateur status a few years ago....Ah well, we all know 'things ain't what they used to be' - a true sign of ooooold aaaage... just you wait .....(I've been recalled for another blood test, the third in a few weeks - maybe they've struck oil ...?!) No explanation as yet....Yesterday I was given a Chinese fortune cookie, it reads "True Friend is very rare jewel, they make you smile and encourage you to succeed ". Treasure your true friends, and keep smiling whilst you k..p b.......g.....

Breath threatening........inflation - fiscal - not inspiration....!

Guess you're all flinching daily at the unbelievable rate by which inflation is rocketing to unknown limits....scaaary, isn't it ? Talk about breathstopping....The really alarming aspect is that we mere mortals have no power to control it ....I'm principally addressing readers in the U.K. on the subject as I'm not sure if the same situation is affecting the rest of the world as drastically as it is here....? It's impossible to analyse the major reasons and motivations of companies and governments, plus all the conflicting religious faiths - man's inhumanity to man - does it always have to be so - whatever happened to 'the milk of human kindness' ...? One answer from my own experience is that there is always someone prepared to take advantage of "givers" = "the takers" !! Yes, I'm smiling, because I think its too late for me to stop trying to help in any way that I can, 'tis the way I was brought up....and so open to mis-interpration....hmmmm. Generally, it seems that the more compassionate and caring some people are leaves them wide open to fraud and duplicity, often from the least expected persons. Enough of this gloooom and doooom, yesterday I went to see "Mamma Mia" again, at a local cinema complex, on the pretext of introducing a friend to it, not that I really needed an excuse. It was even more enjoyable than my first viewing, noticing more subtle moments in the action. The difference this time was that, being outside London, I could use my Senior Citizen pass and benefit from the entrance fee of - £5 ! What value !! The other contrast - the cinema was packed - and sold out at every performance currently. My friend and I were the quietest members of the audience, can you believe, and the atmosphere was absolutely electric. Almost everyone joined in the singing, and the laughter was similar to that experienced at a Monty Python show - talk about fun. Then it dawned on me that the film is full of English "knock-about" humour. A little old lady sitting by me - her second visit too - (shucks - about the same age as me - ooops .) gently nudged me and gleefully chortled in my ear " This is our era, isn't it Dear " !! We were splitting our sides frequently, and occasionally shedding a tear - Oh, it really does you gooood to let everything go now and then ....As the weather is so good I'm cooking meals in the garden, using a variety of barbecues and a chimeni - the food tastes so good - I think people will start installing kitchen ranges in their houses again soon - I covet those of friends on Orno, and Mora, in Sweden....you know who ... happy days...My next trip there is to Stockholm, from 2nd.to 15th.Sept.2008 - hope to see, and breathe with some of you then.... and, until then - k..p b .......g...and DO go and enjoy "M.M" ..... let me know what you think about it....