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...