'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...