"Showboat " in .... Eskilstuna ? WOOOOOW !!

My recent visit to Stockholm was originally planned around going to Eskilstuna and breathing with the South African ensemble singers from Cape Town, of the "Showboat" cast, then seeing a performance, all set up by Ulrika Tenstam and Margaret Brilioth, the producer, both 'breathing chums' of mine. Strangely, things were frought with disconnection from the moment I arrived in the country - lines of communication had broken down all round, so I found myself staying, and breathing, at the house of friends out in Nasby Park, a very desirable residential area with vast villas - and I was able to hide away in their music room, almost unnoticed by members of the household. One of the fun elements of being there was playing ping-pong (table tennis) with two delightful nine year old boys, Adrian and Frederik - and golly, are they fast!! They were very kind to me to begin with -(we worked out that there were 66 years difference in our years!) - until they discovered my competetive streak - and then it was fantastic!! Considering I hadn't played the game for about half a century, my muscle memory was better than the conscious one, but of course, eventually the boys made mincemeat of me , and it was such fun, we laughed so much our sides nearly split - I can thoroughly recommend the game for anyone who wishes to keep fit and improve their breathing ...When I eventually made the pilgrimage to Eskilstuna I was greeted by the singers - all wide awake and eager to learn - they joined in the little breathing exercises with relish, and then came the amazing session, one to one, with some of the most charming and joyful souls I've ever met, it was almost a spiritual experience. Initially they started to 'sing' in the restrained European manner - what I call 'singing at you', not 'for you'. Then I invited them to sing me one of their folk songs - and that's when we really began to make progress. They sang and moved with rhythms that were so different from anything I'd heard before - it was riveting and truly breathtaking - I learned so much from this generous, happy group, and as we worked individually again - throats opened , lungs expanded, diaphragms fluctuated into the most ravishingly beautiful and impressive sounds - from some of the most unlikely singers - they all have fabulous voices and a passion for music. It was one of the most wonderful experiences in my 'breathing career'. In the performance there was such a great atmosphere of commitment and the desire to entertain the audience from everyone - and they did it magnificently..It is one of the finest performances I have ever been privileged to witness....good luck to everyone involved, everything was as it should be for maximum success....Congratulations to all concerned . Ulrika gave another of her brilliant portrayals as 'Julie', and her second number - 'He's just my Bill' didn't leave a dry eye in the house, especially mine - such incredible dynamics and nuances....and her 'timing'... absolutely fabulous; it will stay in my memory as one of the highlights by one of my most distinguished 'breathers'. So yo' all ...keep breathing....and to all my dedicated entertainers, keep charming the customers ....they are our future....

Where have I been......? 'Lost in the ether' ..ooops !!

Over the past couple of weeks I've been having trouble getting 'on line', hence the gap in blogging. Some programme or other 'snuck in' and blocked any outgoing mails, but now my itchy fingers sre on the go again. We have a public service here that entitles us free access to computers at the local library, but the sessions are strictly timed - thirty or sixty minutes, and the stress of trying to write mega-fast, for me, outweighs the advantage of communication ! So, sorry folks - I am still alive and kickin' - even - breathin'!! Hope I find you the same ---tee heee hee...witchy cackle...On the subject of which/witch - did you notice a more subdued celebration of Halloween this year? Here it was almost unnoticable, no noisy fireworks - bliss. The same situation for Nov. 5th. Guy Fawkes Night - only about 45 minutes of ear shattering bangers and 'cannons', for which I, and all animal lovers are truly thankful. Shady (pussycat) didn't have to hide under a bed all night. The cost of fireworks in the current fiscal mess presumably deterred the usual buyers letting their money go up in smoke...Some of you may not know what Guy Fawkes is about - he was a gentleman who was in a conspiracy to blow up the British Houses of Parliament, London, some time ago and rid the country of an unpopular government - hmmmm..... My most recent adventure to fresh fields and pastures new, was to Zurich, Switzerland - and it was a wonderful introduction to new breathers, including a fascinating session at the impressive University Music Dept., with a very gifted guitar virtuoso, Anders Miolin. He plays a 'multi' stringed instrument which he designed - amazing range and tonal quality, passing on his skills to a young man - 15 year old, who made it look so easy to play a classical guitar, and achieved most glorious sounds with his sensitive playing. After a few breathing 'links' we all discovered it helps to breathe efficiently - surprise, surprise ...!! In Zurich, I was a guest of the delightful lyric - 'scrummy, luscious ping' Swedish soprano, Lisa Larsson, whom I originally met at the Royal Opera in Stockholm when she sang 'Anne Truelove' in 'The Rake's Progress', (I was the guest of Marianne Eklof, 'Baba the Turk'- the mind blowing magnificent mezzo !), and later her enchantingly memorable 'Euridice' to Anna Larsson's incredible 'Orfeo' - the perfect partnership....Happy to report that Mats Ek has just won a prestigious prize for his unique and fascinating production concept of this beautiful score - a 'charmed' event - congratulations all round - some great breathing from all concerned....breathtaking for the listener...We had a lot of fun at Lisa's, and some enlightening breathing sessions in her musical music room - entirely devoted to the Muse....overlooking the lake, and cradled in the nook of a wooded, spiritual hillside, 'twas like being in Elysium - very appropriate for a Euridice..... Two of Lisa's International colleagues joined us for some serious breathing - and the house rang wih wonderful singing, pinging, and a great deal of - yes, you guessed - very well supported laughter... the secret of good singing is that one should enjoy it ....we suuuure do...as all my regulars can confirm.....so, please, convey your lyrical, musical messages to your listeners - and enjoy the inpsiration you can give them...You all know how to find Anna (Larsson) on her blog - and tune in to her on You Tube - if you want to catch up on Lisa (Larsson), you'll find her there too, (or through Google) - go to = Lisa Larsson - chi sa qual sia ..and enjoy a vocal feast of Mozart arias ---Vado ma dove, and Alma grande - and there's some Bach on there too for good measure.... don't forget to ....k..p b.......g......