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 .....