When asked what I was going to do in my retirement, I said I wanted to really enjoy all that Melbourne has to offer. And over the year I've done just that. None more so than during October - November. I've exhausted myself, and, of course Joe who, as I jocularly remark (but I mean it) remains working so that I can continue to be kept in the style … [Read more...] about Living It Up
Music
Opera Opera
At the end of May we went to two opera's in the one week. Talk about living it up in Melbourne! Both Opera Australia productions. One an old favourite, one of Opera's canonical works and the second one an operatic rarity. The first was Carmen. I had been given tickets by my former work team, on the occasion of my retirement. A wonderful present. … [Read more...] about Opera Opera
The Melbourne Ring 2016
I'm pleased I saw the second Melbourne Ring, despite misgivings about the production which made me hesitant about doing so. We attended the final cycle by which time things were running smoothly. It's wonderful to have this great opera festival here in Melbourne. If it comes around a third time I'll be there again. This being my fourth experience, … [Read more...] about The Melbourne Ring 2016
Rings of Power – which one rules them all?
I've now seen three Ring Cycles. All in Australia. Two in Adelaide. First, the Theatre du Chatelet production in 1998. With it's striking, minimalist programme, befitting it's controversially minimalist production. Second, the Elke Neidhardt directed Ring cycle, presented two years later than predicted, in 2004. This was the first all new … [Read more...] about Rings of Power – which one rules them all?
The Melbourne Ring – final verdict
So it's done. All over. Wonderful experience. A great thing to be immersed in Wagner's music drama the way he envisaged it. Four performances in the week. In our case each one preceded by a talk by Professor Heath Lees explaining what we had in store. All wonderful. The great strengths of this Ring, generally agreed in the foyer talk, were the … [Read more...] about The Melbourne Ring – final verdict
Watching the World End – the Melbourne Ring finale
Well it is finally all over - leaving us both bereft and full of hope. No more lectures and no more performances. But as Professor Lees said in his last talk (for this cycle anyway - he has four more to do - a truly Wagnerian effort) we can seek out other Ring cycles the world over and sit through it again and again, energy and finances permitting. … [Read more...] about Watching the World End – the Melbourne Ring finale