It's time to record "Simsonic ping" and Synchronised Breathing for posterity.....!!

Having witnessed the demonstration of breathing exercises I've developed over a period of years as the means of surviving severe lung damage sustained in a fire accident, by a couple of senior amateur tenors, who have attended a few breathing sessions and have put videos on You Tube, without any consultation with me, their version of what they think I intend to achieve by synchronisation in two of the most complex physiological functions of my breathing routine. To say they make 'a pigs ear' of each one would be an understatement - it is obvious to all my experienced professional singers that they haven't a clue as to how the simplest move is executed, and their efforts could result in physical injury to the general public - scary to think that a osteopath, Peter Saunders, one of the ill -advised, self styled breathing guru's - has no professional integrity or common sense! My breathing routine is not a primary school P.T. workout, but much more spiritually conceived. The original embarrassing video on You Tube was removed, but another is now on view - on the pretext that it will be of benefit to a wider audience, especially opera singers.....hmmm, not if anyone tries to emulate these guys who are not physically co-ordinated, and old enough to know better !! True, many very fine creative artists are enjoying success worldwide in professional music and theatre circles using this breathing method - but they have all studied my "Art of Breathing" for years, and none of them has attempted to explain the process 'on line'.... Methinks the time has come for Rosalind Plowright, one of my most brilliant breathers, and I to put the whole routine on to d.v.d., I continue writing my promised book, and publish "Anna's Breathing Bible" as one of my extremely inspirational singers has named it ...A friend has taken me to task and told me that "your breathing must live on after you, this should be your life project'.....and so it shall be.... I promise...don't forget Dear Reader.....k..p b.......g ....

Winter is a'comin in...brrrrr....

We've been lucky in England that tempuratures have been unusually warm this autumn, putting off the need to engage the central heating unit, gas fired - now extremely expensive, so wartime practises are being revived. Happily the majority of the population won't have experience of such frugal times, when a regular room warming method was to place a 6" terracotta flower pot on it's drip tray, put a night light candle inside, light it and invert another flower pot over it - hey presto, a mini heater ! The warmth created was sufficient to keep the frost at bay in a room about 20' X 20'. It was necessary to be careful not to set the house on fire ! I didn't hear of any such cases, but these days open fires are not a feature in most homes, so I don't recommend this method. It is a fact that in this country we keep our room temperatures much cooler than our European and Scandinavian counterparts. I always advise visitors of this before they arrive, and suggest they bring thermal underwear - ! Another economy to beat the excessive energy price is to use a cast iron chiminey in the garden to cook delicious meals - it always raises a smile from diners when I disappear out of the French windows on to the patio - and return with a
succulent roast chicken, plus all the trimmings - ooh, the delicious smell wafting through the air.... lip smackingly good fare..mmm...I was questioned about such drastic measures as we're 'enjoying peace' - until you realise that we do have at least two wars in progress which are bankrupting the countries finances, draining our resources for health, education, etc., etc., We can only pray for some Divine intevention to restore a sense of security in our troubled world...so, let's keep on endeavouring to respect and be kind to each other - k..p b.......g...Dear Readers...

A balmy summer, and butterflies are back...

Spending a summer in England, instead of careering about the planet on my customary breathing crusade (!), has given me a wonderful opportunity to enjoy my little house and garden, with it's profusion of flowers, fresh fruit daily - and happy hours observing the abundance of wild birds, and several species of butterfly which had become almost extinct, through the use of lethal pesticides, and their effect on the natural food chain ...glory be, we even have song thrushes enchanting with their glorious warbling - and a blackbird which seems to duet with me ! He perches high in the tall wild cherry tree at the bottom of the garden - and I'm convinced he joins me in song - I even recorded a sequence - he trills away happily - I whistle a slightly difference tune - and he either repeats it, or gives me a new air to 'play with' - a sceptical friend assures me it's only in my imagination - which as you know, is rather fertile. Nevertheless, it pleases me to think I have a new singing partner....sweet, isn't it? I wonder if you've ever struck up a musical connection with a bird, beast, or fowl...Recently I journeyed down to Hampshire, to celebrate my Brother's 80th. birthday, a very warm and memorable day. One of the highlights was visiting the Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard, and viewing the area from high up in the Spinnaker Tower, a very impressive structure, taller than the Eiffel Tower - spectacular views...Another charming event was visiting my new and delightful friend Ronnie (Schneider), strolling in the beautiful environs of his friendly home and the picturesque village in which it's situated - so very 'comfortably English', much warmth and friendly discourse with local residents and traders, one feels safe and loved in such a community, mmmmm..Ronnie is obviously treasured and respected there...Celeste, my Goddaughter, and Richard her fiance, are here prior to their wedding on Saturday 22nd. August, so we are having a lot of fun, and things become more exciting every day. Richard is a brilliant pianist, coach, conductor, etc. at The Bayerische Oper, Munchen, and unexpectedly offered to play for some of my breathers - gratis - and what do you know ? We discovered that we are en rapporte, and look forward to collaborating whenever possible in future - it was such a joy 'combining' our skills... The wedding guests will converge from all corners of the world, a truly International gathering, small but very distinguished, I'm sure it will be a beautiful ceremony - must remember to stock up on tissues....and not hold my breath too often ....hope you're all enjoying a relaxing and inspiring summer...k..p b.......g...lots o' love to you all - Anna - Simsannabim...

'The Summer Season' (social) is well under way - glorious Ascot today...(and Cardiff Comp. just gone..)

Yes, it's here again, the heady celebration of brilliant riding by expert jockeys on magnificently trained and groomed horses - ooooh, how mellifluously they cover the turf, and with the skill of their rider realising their potential - one winner aptly named "The Art of Timing". A lesson with parallels in life... How often the timing is anything but right, and we're left 'with egg on our face' - you know what I mean...? One trainer was being urged by the interviewer to enter their winning horse in a certain prestigious race, but the trainer said, quite positively, that it would be much too soon for that filly....oh, for such wisdom.....The main competition of the day seemed to be off the racecourse, between the ladies sporting the most amazing and beautiful outfits. Black and white are still favourite colours, and soft dove grey, much the same as depicted in the classic scene in "My Fair Lady" - but no shortage of every colour of the rainbow - all the best couturiere were well represented; I was really envious of some of the ensembles, but pacified myself with the knowledge that I'm a liiiitle past such elegance..mmmm......vital stats. originally 34/24/36 ...long gone...now English pear shape has overtaken the frame - he he hee....at least my calves (legs below the knees) - are still fairly shapely - ha ha ha... Next we have Wimbledon, Henley Regatta, and Glyndebourne all summer...Which brings me to singing and opera. The Cardiff Singer of the World Competition last week produced a very promising, very young Italian tenor - 21 (!) year old Giordano Luca, built like Caruso, with the same 'square' head - and such a wonderful, unspoiled naturally produced voice. (He was supported by an entourage of eleven coaches, family, etc.. such style...) Glory be - no 'hippotamus mouth' or over exaggerated expressions; exciting dynamics and phrasing.... bliss - simply 'talking' magically - I really wanted to huuug him...he is of course inexperienced with repertoire, and for him, the timing into a major International career is a tad too soon....he was awarded the Audience Prize - votes from the general public, and one can only hope he will keep out of the clutches of unscrupulous agents and managements.....The singer awarded top prize was a soprano whom the judges seemed to favour, a bit of a shrieker in the top register - it worried me. My choice was a 36 year old baritone, miles ahead of the rest in presentation and vocal security, plus beautiful voice, but then, I like musical, artistic voices...I'm a bit old fashioned in my taste....I'm all in favour of the movement 'For Real Singing' .....ah me.. may I live long enough to see it re-instated.....'hope springs eternal in the savage breast'...thus saying , I'll growl away....he he heee...please k..p b.......g......XXX

Roses, roses - everywhere roses - and Redoubtable Ronnie !

Yes, it's flaming June and the proliferation of roses here is more magnificent than ever...and oh, the heady fragrances, quite intoxicating without the unpleasant after effects of alcohol....in my little garden there is a simple single briar rose, and several other varieties, progressing to a magnificent hybrid - which I bought unlabelled at a charity garden sale. In our local garden centre it has been identified as "The Spirit of Freedom", (very apt for me) a triple petalled beauty with very attractive perfume...mmm. The blooms keep bursting forth, almost like a fountain of rich dusty pink froth !! Wild flowers are overtaking all the grass verges alongside our highways; dandelions, then buttercups, cowslips and now, Michaelmas daisies - never a dull moment - what's next I wonder, can't remember the annual sequence - and it happens every year...tut,tut, ancient brain grinding to a halt! Te hee hee...Recently I made a lovely new friend, a charming and very special gentleman who has been inspiring singers Internationally for some years as a repetiteur, coach and accompanist - the inimitable Herr Ronald Schneider, affectionately known as Ronnie by all his talented devotees. 'Redoubtable' in reference to Ronnie = "Inspiring, or worthy of awe, or reverence", and yes, he really is he exactly that, such spirituality, and an absolute darling. We have been orbiting the earth on opposite sides for yonks, and Heavenly Hillevi (Martinpelto), has been trying to introduce us for years. At last the momentous meeting has been achieved - at a luncheon date in The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London - and we had some fun with dear Richard Hetherington - repetiteur, coach and conductor with The Royal Opera Company - he and Ronnie go back to meeting as collaborating colleagues at The Aix en Provence Festival, with Peter Mattei, Melanie Diener and several other distinguished singers I've breathed with. Ronnie has been associated with opera in Vienna and worldwide - I'm still learning about his distinguished career on a daily basis - staggering ! One of the most fascinating aspects of this new alliance, is that Ronnie has a house which is only about 20 miles (English) from my birthplace in Hampshire - incredible don't ya think....The circle is growing and becoming more exciting by the minute...lucky, lucky meeee..sorry I've been globetrotting frantically all spring and not in Stockholm for a while.. credit crunch is still crunching..! I miss you all, but am resting awhile and enjoying being at home...until then, k..p b.......g and be happy....see you anon...

Kristina Hammarstrom at the Barbican, London - WOOOW !!!

Kristina and I go back quite a way. We started breathing together in the early 90's, and we've had a lot of fun since then. Much of her technique, b-b-b's, doggy panting, walnuts(!) etc., especially the brilliant coloratura, was developed when she was invited by Kiri (te K ) to stay in her garden cottage with me - I was 'being useful', driving, restoring antiques, and shopping for Kiri when she returned to the U.K. after a stint as Principal Soprano at The Metropolitan Opera, New York, U.S.A. I had taken early retirement from The Performing Arts Dept. at the University of Birmingham, where I was The Studio Controller.. Last Sunday Kristina 'jumped in' at very short notice to sing "Teseo" in "Arianna in Creto", Handel's little known score, wonderful writing, and almost impossible floridity - happily 'right up Kristina's street' as we put it ..I have never heard anyone achieve so many brilliant notes in such a short time - the audience was electrified by her performance and their ecstatic cheering almost 'took the roof off' - as only a London audience can..standing ovation at the finale! At rehearsal, Christopher Hogwood the conductor, couldn't believe his luck when Kristina agreed to lightning speeds - all very normal for her, but a surprise to the orchestra - they did manage to keep up with her..tee hee hee I had taken a young soprano along - Cheryl Coutinho , potential spinto. "How does Kristina do that?" she asked. "With great skill, application and dermination - not to mention 'attitude'!" Congratulations Kristina - please do 'jump in as often as possible - come along 'in your own right' even...so, to all of you ...k..p b.......g ....

At last - my Mecca - Salzburg on a clear day...!

For as long as I can remember, since first hearing the genius music composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, I've been wanting to visit 'his' enchanted city. Many times I was invited to be part of the summer festival, but always an offer from Glyndebourne or some other illustrious festival was confirmed first. So, in my dotage - I've made it - at last ! My first venture to Salzburg was last Christmas, with my Goddaughter Celeste, whilst visting her in Munich - another fascinating city, and we travelled on the excellent Bayerische train inexpensively - a terrific service, with observation type carriages. Trouble was that then it was very overcast and wet, so we didn't see a lot, and I began to think the mountains didn't actually exist - couldn't even see the fortress which dominates the Salzburg skyline - pretty scary place now that I've witnessed it ...My hostess on this occasion was Rosa-Maria Reisinger, a free spirit of a Lady, and very creative artistically - her speciality is angels made of Tiffany class, with crystal heads, wonderful with the light illuminating the beautiful colours of the glass..Rosa-Maria is also an official guide for The Sound of Music Tour ! So of course, the first thing I did, having arrived late on 31/03/04, was to join her at 08.30 on the first of April for the tour, as the guest of her 'boss' Evi... We were joined by a group of English and American tourists - seating capacity on R-M's mini-bus 8 persons, so it was a real opportunity to unite nationalities, and it did ! We all had a great time - and Rosa-Maria must be the finest guide in the city, she was so entertaining and gave us insights into the filming of ' The S. of M,' explaining some of the Hollywood myths ...you'll have to take the tour to find out for yourself, I can give you the 'phone number ....he he hee. Halfway through the tour my mobile ('phone) rang - 'twas the Awesome Anna (Larsson) to invite Rosa-Maria and I to the General Rehearsal of Wagners' "Siegfried" in which she was singing "Erda" with The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Until that moment I hadn't realised it was on that day - at 3 p.m. - you know what singers are like with dates, etc,!?! Rosa - Maria quickly 'phoned her boss to request the afternoon off, and a few minutes later it was confirmed, another driver having been found for the next tour ...phew. We changed, and had a quick lunch, arrived at the Festival Hall with a few minutes to spare, and were treated to 5 hours of a fairly un-adulterated production of "Siegfried" - modern clothes, much cheaper than designer costumes - but I do find it irritating that the surtitles don't match the sung text..I mean, Brunnhilde was wearing a midi - jacket and modern evening dress when her attire is claimed to be - 'a metal breastplate and helmet' - she was not even wearing a hat - and was lying on three saloon type, gilt framed chairs with red velvet seats, and a token small shield lying alongside her - not on a rock ..hmm...Never mind, I've not seen the Woodbird scenes so charmingly played...a beautiful white 'puppet' dove, wheeling, gliding and hovering over Siegfried...Unfortunately, the only voice which was not appropriate to the piece was that of a very shrill (unseen) soprano Woodbird...ouch...Oh for a lyrical Lisa Larsson...Otherwise the cast was exemplary, and Anna gave yet another wonderful rendering of Erda, with Sir Willard White as her excellent Wotan. I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my colleagues from 'way back' ...almost forty years (!) Sir Simon Rattle, conductor - and a more recent 'breather' Katarina Dalayman, an excellent Brunnhilde - much huggin' 'n kissin' all round.. After that, Rosa-Maria and I went 10 pin bowling - with her boss Evi, as arranged before we knew about Siegfried rehearsal...by this time I was a little weary, but not wanting to miss the fun - the only problem was that the bowling ball is rather heavy, and my finger kept being trapped in the hole - couldn't let go - hysterics all round - what a memorable day....mmmm.. so, Dear Friends ...keep breathing...and try the fresh air of Salzburg sometime ....

Stockholm - Hooray, hooray - it's " K te K day" ..!!

Yes, all being well, "The Magical Maori Maiden" is with you today at the Konserthuset, in Hortorget - where last week your delightful Swedish soprano Lisa Larsson, charmed us with her gorgeous, youthful 'Marzellina' in the 'Fidelio' concert. I always tease her that she is in good company on You Tube, 'sandwiched' between videos of Kiri - now they will have shared the same platform ..nice one !! Having previously spent some wonderful hours with my first Swedish 'breathing convert' and treasured friend, the amazing Anna Larsson, contralto extraordinaire, and some of her promising and talented young singers, walking in the woods with Mussi, the cuddly dachshund - blissful, heaven on earth, I left Stockholm extremely tired, but totally inspired by the progress of all my devoted breathers...You really brought the spring to life for me. My first meeting with K te K was in 1967 (!) when we were students at The London Opera Centre, a 1930's cinema, converted to a rehearsal space for The Royal Opera Company, in the East End of London. All the International singers of that period rehearsed there on a daily basis, before moving in to the opera house at Covent Garden. So, as students, we queued for meals with Placido (who always kissed ones' hand - so romantic and dreamlike .) Domingo, Joan Sutherland, Birgit Nilsson, James Mc. Cracken - it was a bit like a singers Valhalla !! What I recall most vividly was how kind and generous they were towards we 'greenhorns' - no airs and graces which one might have expected, very modest and human, human beings.. As one commented 'I am always aware that I'm very fortunate to have been blessed with my abilities, it doesn't make me any better than anyone else, just luckier'...so enjoy the experience of being in the same orbit as a living legend, Dearest Kiri - may she inspire you to greater heights in whatever you wish to achieve, she has enchanted us worldwide for half a century and still has the 'inner child' wide awake - ah meee..what a miracle ...toi toi toi Kiri ...I'll be with you all in spirit - and breathin' along...don't you forget to k..p b.......g in all the excitement...'bye, 'bye ... love from Simsibimsi....

Mmmm dreary weather...no wonder Scandinavians are depreesed by it ..

The snow is slowly thawing away her, rendering the streets and pavements lethal under foot and tyre...Because there has not been such a severe winter for eighteen years, the powers that be have not understood that nature is unpredictable - although the weather forecasting agency spends billions a year trying to let us know what to expect. For me, asking an old fisherman, holding his finger out in the wind, or a farmer chewing a straw, usually produces the most accurate assessment ! Modern times....hmmmm.. Today, 09/02/09 Berko was shrouded with dense fog to make it all the more dreary, and I was feeling a little despondent, when the lovely, Remarkable Rosalind (Plowright) called and sounded very lively - which cheered me up immensely - and I obviously sounded 'chirpy' to Ros - 'You always sound as if you're jumping up and down like an electric spark ' she said gleefully !! How wonderful -and I do know that my sparks are of the positive variety, only subdued by negativity, from which I shrink for fear it 'fuses' me - he he hee....Problem is that my very positivity, overenthusiasm and 'jolly hockey sticks' Englishness frightens people to death - well, almost - so keep away from me if you don't want a shock...!! and be prepared to laugh a lot... Rosalind is in the process of rehearsing for a concert of 'Adriana Lecouvrer' with Nellie Miriciou in the title role - wooow, two great Divi - that should prove a performance not to be missed ... I will attend rehearsals, as usual. No point training a person if you don't hear the result....and with Rosalind it's staggeringly impressive....
Always so rewarding being with consmmate artists, and so inspiring. It's quite strange, and I've always experienced it - the result of a production I've created, or an artefact or stage property I've made. When I see it after completion, I sometimes think 'Oh, this is good - I wonder who did it ?...' That's what comes of being a mad cow I suppose .....moooo!! This must equate with the sensations of the performing artist - whilst you're in a character mode - it is not oneself, but the person one is portraying - does anyone else have this experience ? I can never understand why anyone is scared by a conductor - musical, not bus - although some of the maestro whose 'baton I have been under' might well be superior in the latter category......Now that I'm at home for a while, I shall enjoy breathers coming to me here in the Chiltern Hills ......nice.....peaceful.....k..p b.......g...and warm...

The younger generation of singers....catch them in time ...

When I first started 'helping' singers with my quirky (as one 'singing teacher' labelled it ..!) Extended Breathing and Vocal Focus routine, it was found to be most beneficial to more experienced singers, actors, and members of the general public with respiratory and phonation problems, who'd been referred to me by physicians. It all started when I made a remarkable recovery after a devastating fire accident, which 'kippered' my lungs. My instinct invented exercises and procedures which eventually restored the semblance of a lifegiving breathing system - which was great, because that's how I learned the simple process of respiration and I've never looked back !! Over the years I've had some wonderful moments of sheer magic when helping a person enjoy an enhanced quality of life, especially with the voice...whatever their occupation or profession. Much more frequently now, I'm approached by the younger generation who've heard the results of 'Simsonic Ping' and are eager to discover it's secrets....well, there are no secrets to it, just a careful connection and synchronisation of air and body - simple as that - and there's the rub. The most difficult thing to explain is - simplicity - ever tried it ..? Eleanor (Hemmens) a dedicated undergraduate at The University of London, reading English, attended a Master Class given by Rosalind (Plowright) at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and as some of you regular bloggers will know, was the 'baby ' of the class - deemed too young by some members of staff, but Rosalind took her on, sensing a latent talent. We've been breathing regularly since then and Ellie has just been cast as 'Belinda' in Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas', promoted by the music dept.. O.K.? The irony is that Ellie, and the ' Dido', are the only un-trained (or as I see it, unpolluted by 'singing teachers') members of the cast - naughty, naughty Sims.... if you took my hint and viewed Emma (Grimsley) yesterday on You Tube you may agree with me..? Congratulations Ellie, I wish you every success, you truly deserve it for your application, determination and inspiration - my breathers always inspire me - the feeling is mutual. In Stockholm recently, Anna 'la la ' Larsson, winner of the Swedish Opera Magazine 'Artist of the Year 2008', and I enjoyed a very happy, fun session showing Beatrice Orler, a gifted young singer studying at Kulturama, that unconventional "Palace of Creativity" (my title for Eva Haglund's domain) where Anna regularly gives Master Classes - I repeat - 'Catch them in time' and so, k..p b.......g and warm.....

Snow - 'common sense' is rare..

Hello from snowbound Berko (Berkhamsted) England. I've just returned from Sweden ,where the dangers of snow chaos are respected, and I cannot believe the degree of stupidity exercised by people here...O.K., so we don't often have a freeze up, but surely it is obvious that if four teenage girls sit on an old car roof and 'sledge' down a steep slope into a barbed wire fence - it will end in disaster..? Even without the snow to accelerate the descent it would be exceedingly ill advised to try it...so we have a lovely teenage girl very dead...what a waste for want of 'common sense'.... Due to a mild snowfall, thousands of schools were closed, parents had to stay at home to look after them if they couldn't arrange for carers, etc., etc.. The best 'silly story' was that in one town , the gas system was overloaded by central heating systems going at full blast - and failing. So the school management brought in dozens of electric heaters for each teaching area, put them on at full - and blew the town's electricity supply ..hmmmm....the mind boggles....how did homo sapiens survive this long .....just lucky - the secret ingredient for a happy life - luckily I was born lucky, or I wouldn' be around now...The journey to Sweden was frought with mis -communication but - luckily, I was granted several minor miracles - so it all worked out successfully - and how ..!! Breathing with members of the Malmo Symphony Orchestra was extraordinarily spectacular - even I was amazed by a session with Britt, a dolly young flutist - who , in one session, found out how to float a loooong Debussy phrase in 'The girl with the flaxen hair' - so appropraite as that describes Britt !! My time with the Orchestra is one of the most enjoyable I've ever had - all smiles and happiness, and that springs from their gifted Maestro Vassily Sainosky, the distinguished International ( huggable) Russian giant. He 'found' sounds that I've never heard before in the 'Cosi' score - and - he likes (good, as he pointed out !) singers - what a boon. The 'icing on the cake' for me was the evolution of Lisa Larsson, making her 'Fiordiligi' debut...and what a revelation that was/is...!! I always like to hear artists who use the Simsonic Ping routine - and Lisa was pinging away brilliantly - deserving the standing ovation she so rightly drew from the elated audience .... much more to come ..congratulations 'Fiordilisa', your teacher must be truly proud of your achievements.... so please k..p b.......g , all you lovely 'Simsonicpingers'....XXX

Things are happening Simsonic breathing - wise....

After so many years instructing a vast number of, mainly singers, to synchronise their breathing and achieve that legendary ability to 'support' the voice, there is a definite sensation that supported breathing is 'taking over ' for many who have persevered with my ' Extended Breathing' technique, the which is entirely beneficial to all professional voice users, and hundreds of patients with respiratory malfunction ...at last ..! That prompts one into thinking maybe I should retire graciously now, and simply enjoy the result - listening to wonderful voices wafting gentle pianissimo, soaring magnificent fortissimo, and languishing in sumptious legato...aaaaah ...such a privilege to have been trusted by so many in the art of singing, especially for those whose original talents and gifts have been perverted by a fee charging opportunist in the guise of 'Singing Teacher'. In 1915 Thomas Beecham wrote in the London Daily Chronicle - " The Tragi-Comedy of English Singing". 'There is one branch of musical art in which there is to be discerned, not only no advance of any kind, but a distinct movement of decline, and the responsibility of blame may fairly be divided between the singers themselves and those to whom has been entrusted the task of their education. We have an enormous number of first rate singing students and yet, with a population of forty six million a selection of the best native vocalists would hardly complete the necessary personnel of a single good opera company. Undoubtedly the main cause is to be found in the deplorable system of training most of them have received, either in the great schools of music, or from private teachers. There can be no question that almost the greatest drawback is the scarcity of good singing masters, the appalling overgrowth of bungling incompetence that dare to imagine that without the smallest qualifications it can mould the most delicately sensitive and beautiful of instruments in the world...' So there you go - not a lot has changed in the interim; many of my contacts , who have spent thousands being 'trained' to sing are thoroughly disappointed after years in various establishments - and go into another business ......The main element missing to my knowledge is the art of breathing....a subject that seems to elude many 'singing teachers' - which is why I am not classified as a singing teacher.......such arrogance, but I am very happy with that ' cause what I do ...works .....na na nana na.....k..p b.......g all my Dear 'believers'...x

Congatulations Anna La La .....

What a way to start the year - Anna (Larsson) has been awarded the honour of recognition for her amazing portrayal of "Orfee", in the Gluck/Berlioz version, produced brilliantly by Mats Ek, the ballet dancer/choreographer at Kungliga Operan Stockholm last year, by The Swedish Opera magazine. Having been privileged to attend rehearsals, and several perrformances, the staging is etched in my memory as one of the most extraordinary events in the operatic world, bar none...let's have more from this creative genius. Who will ever forget the remarkable singing from a contralto with an almighty vocal range - oh , those cadenziii ...and heartbreaking "Che faro"...Even more amazing, the physical fluidity, especially in the scenes with her wonderfully sympatico, and heart renderingly lovely Lisa Larsson; her Euridice really tore at the heart strings, but finally triumphant ! Such a convincing 'couple', it really worked with them histrionically ... congratulations all round....This month I'm hoping to 'catch up' with Anna's 'Dalilah', at Kungliga Operan - another treat for opera lovers - don't miss it .....Let's hope the powers that be are able to record these rare performances for posterity, it's so easy nowadays - just think what has been lost by managements over the years...I guess it all boils down to cost finances, and sponsorship...Perhaps I could persuade B & B to invest some of their 'Mamma Mia' cash into classical music ...?? Their dvd has sold more copies here in the U.K. than any other ever - quite right, I looove it - 'speshly Meryl Streep - 'The Winner takes it all' scene - stupenduos - this IS no end to her talent...It's a bit chilly here. Today we have about one and a half inches of snow - thirty five centimetres - result, chaos on all transport, as usual... With the current financial situation and cost of fuel, we are resorting to wartime measures to heat rooms. One of the most effective is to place a night or tealight in a terra cotta flower pot, and cover it with another upturned pot, slightly smaller - you'd be surprised how well that can stop frost chilling a room...don't forget to light the candle...and be careful with any 'naked' lights - never leave them unattended, or in an empty house .... apart from that the best thing to do is winter abroad! Two of my oldest friends spend two months in Cape town, through December and January - hope you're having fun George and Dottie of Arundel....At the weekend I go to Lisbon, Portugal, and 'have a breathe or two' with the amazing Rosalind (Plowright) , I gather it's a lot warmer there - and oooh, those Portugese custard tarts....mmmm.....almost as scrumptious as Swiss Fondue, savoury or sweet.....and Austrian zachertorte - the bonuses of tripping around the world with wonderful 'breathers' .....I hope to live to a ripe old age if this is how it's going to be...happy days to you all, and don't forget to k..p b.......g .....