Remarkable Rosalind Plowright ....."ageism"...let's abandon it before we die !!!..ha ha haaaa !!!!

Does it bother you as much as me, when I suggest a singer to a management for a specific operatic role, and they negatively reply about their age ?? Yes ? I'm so fed up with this attitude, especially when I know that many promising careers have come to an abrupt halt because the singer was propelled into a role ...TOO SOON....and of course there's the opposite ....being juuust too late...for me it depends on the intensity and persuasive interpretation of the individual artist. If I attend a performance and am 'carried away' from reality into a euphoric state, in which I'm unaware of the lighting, direction, design, etc. the age of the performer is irrelevant. The most important factor as far as I'm concerned, is that the artist can spellbind us with a 'realistic' performance, transforming themself convincingly into the character they're playing.... in my late twenties I played a young heroine one evening, and two days later, I was an elderly 'Marcellina' in "Le Nozze di Figaro". Friends who attended the first performance came to see me afterwards,as usual, but not after the "Figaro" - so I presumed they didn't think much of my portrayal of 'Marcellina'. When I 'phoned them and asked if they'd enjoyed the "Figaro" production they were most complimentary about the evening. "But you didn't come backstage to see me afterwards, as usual". "We hadn't a programme, and didn't realise you were in the show !" - pausa - " I was the old 'Marcellina' - you didn't recognise my voice either?!!" Big guffaws of laughter all round - what a little makeup can do ..!! If you'd like to see a real live charismatic 'ageless' Diva, look up the remarkable Rosalind Plowright, O.B.E., in her Facebook Fan Club page ...especially the photo gallery ..I was there for her sensational "Prioress" in "Les Dialogue des Carmelites" at Stuttgart Opera recently - and believe me , she IS a LIVING LEGEND, and thoroughly acclaimed by her ecstatic audiences ...she is the youngest in sound of 'over sixty' singers I know ...toi toi toi Rosalind...her charming husband, Tony Kaye, none more experienced 'in the business' than he, asked me at a breathing session with Rosalind, when we were 'breathing in' a role, "Excuse me Anna - is this all you do to enable Rosalind to sing the way she does ?" -meaning the simple physical movements, etc. "Yes Tony" - " Good Lord, we must make a dvd of it, or no one will know how to do it when you're dead !!"... hysterical laughter all round ...I'm still chuckling about it ..ha h ha...so, Dear Readers...k..p b.......g ...and laughing ...

Wills and Kate - their beautiful Wedding ....bravo...congratulations...

With the world generally and sadly in such a state of chaos, dis-unity, political and religious turmoil, it was a relief to discover that the love of these two 'down to earth' human beings, generated such an incredible sense of love, goodwill and what one had thought was a lost feeling of 'togetherness' in Great Britain...it really made one feel great - and so glad that it was truly Internationally recognised !!! All the fearfully anticipated Republican 'aggro' and violent demonstrations did not manifest ..Alleluia ...how wonderful to be able to enjoy and participate in a National Celebration peacefully as in years past..I was a spectator in London at our Queen's Coronation...still vivid in my memory - and how well she and Prince Philip are 'maturing' !!..but, as so many millions on this occasion, I viewed the day on television in the comfort of my own little house...The uniforms, regalia and processions were spectacular, especially after the Abbey drive - the crowds were ecstatic ...and the actual marriage ceremony was for me, a real tear jerker...going through tissues almost by the box ! Some of the hats which adorned many of the ladies present were gorgeous (and several hilarious !!) Altogether, the clothes were fabulous, especially the Brides' ...she may be a commoner, but there is nothing parochial about Kate's beauty; her grace and natural elegance are above and beyond the everyday and ordinary ...this is surely a divine union..I wish them every happiness, thank them for giving us something to be proud of in our multi -cultural society - and reviving our almost 'lost' inbred sense of integrity, hard put to the test by recent political shenanigans...here's to more inspirational events ...k..p b.......g...and smiling....