Feasting on figs ......

Safe and sound at home again, the garden is fairly jungle-like, and in the dense foliage I discovered a hoard of squidgy, succulent figs - ooooh, maybe that's what is missing from the "Samson and Delilah" production, currently being held together by Awesome Anna's (Larsson) sumptuous voice and magnetic personna - give 'em figs, not bombs.....After the years of honing 'Delilah' vocally, it was great to hear her 'for real' on stage - what an artist - congratulations, you thoroughly deserved the ovation at curtain call Anna - no one wanted to leave the theatre it was so exciting...here's to your every success with the rest of the run....The 'breathing thing' as my routine is referred to is really making a difference to the sound of singing in Sweden. It was good to see Anna a few days later on her "blogg", working with Anki Hognabber, after Anki and I had had some fun breathing in the studio - I then left to fly home... Anki and I met some years ago on Aland where I regularly gave Summer School Masterclasses - and thoroughly indulged in Abba repertoire ! At the time, one was aware of Anki's potential as an exciting, clean voiced soprano, but when funding dried up in Aland, we lost track of each other - until Anna L was giving Master Classes at Kulturama in Stockholm, and invited me to join her at a session - and there was Anki, bright as a button, but singing in a not too familiar mezzo-soprano voice. We soon sorted that out, and she's now back to her true rich soprano which will develop who knows how...? As usual I'm feeling somewhat brain-dead after the exertions of breathing with all my lovely 'converts' in Stockholm. 'Converted to what?' I hear you think ? " Breathers of course !!" It's all becoming so exciting with new singers joining in the fun. Won't tell you now who they are, I'll just wait for some of you to ask "Are you working with - so and - so ?" When I say "Yes" - "I thoooought so " is the usual reply. Good Luck to my Terrific Tenor - Goran (Eliasson) and his management company - how wonderful to have a manager who can sing brilliantly and understands the priorities of the artistes. Here's to a very happy and successful trip to Cape Town as 'The Poet' - toi toi toi ......And to Luscious Lisa Larsson in the Britten 'Les Illumination' in Zurich on Wednesday. You came through loud and clear, and beautifully, on Swedish Radio in their tribute to you last week. I was most impressed by the morning programme too, when I had the opportunity to hear you play the flute - is there no end to your talents - it would be a master stroke for you to play that lovely passage in 'The Elysian Fields' scene in "Orfee"... The marvels of modern science which allow one to hear the radio via the internet......please k..p b.......g all of you - and be joyful !