Hello from England ..after a season of National rejoicing !!

Dear Friends ...long time - no Blogs - my apologies..Facebook has been keeping me occupied for some months, which have included incredible excitements with the wondrous Swedish contralto Anna Larsson, and the enigmatic English mezzo soprano Rosalind Plowright, O.B.E., plus "new" Breathers, at The Royal Opera, London, and Glyndebourne Opera, Sussex. Then the Queens' Diamond Jubilee Celebrations - what an amazing triumph - such love & reverence for this brilliant, spiritual guardian of our quaint country ... One of the most touching visual moments, was when she looked so surprised at her reception on the Royal Progress down the River Thames, on a "tarted up barge " - after weeks of exhausting National Touring - her heart warming expression radiantly exchanged with her Husband & Consort, Prince Philip, finally revealed her surprise & recognition, that she is very dearly loved ..mmmm ....after that, I trolled off to Sweden, for The Vatness Song Festival - creation of the self same Anna Larsson, my very first "Simsannabim Breather",(since 1992 !!) and her golden voiced tenor husband Goran Eliasson. What can I say ? The whole experience was almost like a dream sequence ! They've built their own Concert Barn, seating 350, with state of the art lighting, et al - in a field - at their Farmhouse - by a lake - near Mora - Dalarna !! ...& presented a very fine Internationally acclaimed production of Brittens' "Rape of Lucretia "- designed & directed by the uniquely talented Mathius Clason, & co director - (another of my Beautiful Breathers), the incomparable mezzo soprano, Ingrid Tobiasson - incredible ! "Lucretia" was originally Premiered in 1946 at - Glyndebourne , & the whole Festival had a similar ambience, with Banqueting Marquee, picnics & champagne on the lawns...ah me, I felt really 'at home '...Now we're all recovering from the most amazing "Olympic Games Spectacular" - you can see most of these breathtaking epics on You Tube ..and if you watched the Closing Ceremony ..as the Olympic Cauldron flames were extinguished , you will have heard a few minutes of a divinely beautiful "voice over " - the brilliant English soprano, Eliabeth Roberts - another "Simsibimsi Breather"...she remarkably established that fabulous, floating, celestial sound with her beautiful voice, a few weeks before the event - - in just 4 breathing sessions - true genius ...toi toi toi to you All - k..p b.......g.. Love You All...Madanna XXXOO