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posted by nathan at 5:32 PMJune 26th, 2009
I love this poem.... I'd almost forgotten about it.... by Mörike:
Warum, Geliebte, denk' ich dein aru einmal nun mit tausend Tränen?
und kan gar nicht zufrieden sein,
und will die Brust in alle Weite dehnen?
Ach, gestern inden hellen Kindersaal,
Beim Flimmer zierlich aufgesteckter Kerzen,
wo ch mein selbst vergass in Lärm un Scherzen,
tratst du, o Bildnes mitleidschöner Qual;
es war dein Geist, ersetzte sich ans Mahl,
fremd sassen wier mit stumm verhaltnen Schmerzen;
suletzt brach ich in lautes Schuchzen aus,
und Hand in Hand verliessen wir das Haus.
Beautiful beautiful beautiful
Was bitten today by a bit of the black dog so took my grandfather's advice (given many years ago) to dig a hole. So, instead, I spent 3 hours digging up grass. This poem was the result. I bet he never would have guessed that.
posted by nathan at 7:30 AMJune 22nd, 2009
Three weeks off.... home.... am relaxed.
Friday night was the final day of Rock Camp so the kids in the camp, two of which are mine, rocked out at a local bar called the High Dive. There were about 15 kids involved between the ages of 9 and 12. Thanks to a local reporter who did a story on the camp in Thursday's paper the bar was packed. If I were a kid I would LOVE rock camp. My 12 year old daughter developed a love for the bass guitar and discovered girl power (I also love girl power songs....."Since you've been gone I can breathe for the first time") and my 9 yr old tore up the bones in his band "The Stereotypes". It was great great fun and the kids loved it. They all can't wait until next year. Thank you John Jordan for bringing this camp to Champaign.
posted by Nathan at 9:08 AMJune 19th, 2009
I've been home for three days now and have had a chance to get in a round of golf, play a little tennis, go to four or five little league games and visit friends that I haven't seen in months, but my experience in Philadelphia is still fresh in my mind. I loved my time there. For me making music is forever finding a way to communicate to others as purely as possible. My time in Philly provided me with this opportunity. The opera itself is amazing, but because of the cast and the production and, of course, the venue (600 seat house) we were able to realize it as it should be. The young singers that were involved did a bang up job. They were all very talented and well prepared which says a lot about the instruction that they've been given at both Curtis and AVA. I hope that I provided an example to them that will make them love this art form as much as I do.
posted by nathan at 9:52 AMJune 4th, 2009
Busy busy busy.... am happy to say that the dress for Rape of Lucretia last night was a big success. I think we have gotten the opera into shape and are aptly telling this tragic (but not without hope) story. I'm also happy to say that I didn't almost fall into the pit as I did on the first orchestra dress. Very very close... I thought Bill was going to bust a gut. I thought I was being smooth by having a "panther" like move just before Bill says, "Panther agile and panther virile!", but my trousers were bagging on me at the time and I couldn't quite get down as far as I wanted. As a result of that and a very steep rake I about went arse over head into the pit. I DID RECOVER, though, much to my relief, and I did manage to rape poor Lucretia. "Go Tarquinius!"
Today, very soon as a matter of fact, I'm going to have an interview with Marty Moss-Coane on WHYY Radio. She has a wonderful program that covers a variety of subjects. We'll probably talk a little bit about the Lucretia production, but I'm hoping we'll move on to other topics that aren't quite as heavy. We'll see. But, regardless, it's wonderful to have a day off.
posted by nathan at 8:57 AMMay 16th, 2009
I'm happily back in the World Of Britten here in Philadelphia. The Opera Company of Philadelphia has started a chamber opera series and are kicking it off with The Rape of Lucretia, a masterpiece by Benjamin Britten. This piece, besides being beautiful, dives deeply into the mysteries of life, and as Britten is so fond of, the nature of good and evil and the role that we humans play in it. Beauty and chastity are virtues that can't exist in the world, but why? As Tarquinius says, "Beauty so pure is cruel..... though I have won (she was chaste, but is no longer pure because I defiled her.... in other words he won his bet with Junius about her being chaste) I'm lost. Give me my soul again out of your loins of pain. Though I must give I take!"
There are many things in this libretto that I don't understand. Perhaps that's why I love it so much. For example, what is the Christian message of forgiveness and the sacrifice of Christ to do with the rest of the story. Is it the Male Chorus' way of dealing with the cruelties of life? Or is there a broader message that Britten wanted to share? Why does Lucretia feel as though she betrayed her husband if she was raped? Is she still not chaste? Perhaps Lucretia is in fact "Chastity" and "Beauty" and since she lived in a world of sin she "must" die..... I guess it could all be more symbolic than I had previously though?
All this should be plenty to occupy my brain for the next few weeks :)
posted by nathan at 5:08 PMMay 5th, 2009
Only five performances.... what a shame. I am enjoying having a performance every other day. It's much harder on Elizabeth (she is rarely off stage), but I like how the story stays fresh in our minds. I find that there is always a greater depth to which I can take the character of Alec and the proximity of performances helps me do that. My oldest son is here with me for the rest of our stay. We have spent our time swimming, playing golf, and visiting with friends and relatives that are here for the show. Tomorrow, we are going to try to catch the Cubs vs. Astros game. He had quite the satisfied smile on his face when he found out that his mother had to tell his headmistress at school that he would be missing classes this week because he was playing golf in Houston. This is a slippery slope for a nine year old.
posted by nathan at 10:05 AMMay 1st, 2009
I am soooo excited about the premier of Brief Encounter tonight! It is such a beautiful opera ..... in every way unique. I'm struck by a number of things that this piece has to offer, but mostly by it's touching look into the heart of a woman. I can't think of another opera that does this with such grace and humanity. Normally, by the time an opera is ready to be performed for an audience I find myself hardened a bit to it's message. It is not so for Brief Encounter. The final scene is so touching and so sincere that it's impossible to judge the characters. All that I'm left with is a tremendous sense of charity and kindness for Laura Jesson who has taken all of us on this journey.
There are only five performances (that makes me a little sad) so if you have time at all come to see it.
posted by nathan at 10:54 AMApril 17th, 2009
On the way to Houston a few weeks ago I was in a crash. My girlfriend, oooppss, I mean, my car got hurt. I thought she'd be okay. It was nothing a little cosmetic surgery couldn't fix. Well, as much as I loved her I've had to put her down this week. It's a great loss, or as my insurance agent said, a "total loss". She will be missed.
Boo Hoo
posted by nathan at 10:08 AMApril 5th, 2009
Having spent a fair amount of time in some of the worlds largest cities I've seen my share of unusual things. Many of which are the result of human depravity, creativity, generosity, ingenuity and exasperation. Some have nothing to do with those things. I've seen coyotes, pigeons, rats the size of dogs, dogs the size of rats, hawks, snakes, and if you count the Central Park Zoo a lot of other exotic creatures as well. What I saw here in Houston on the corner of Louisiana and Gray, though, surprised me (this is basically down town Houston). I saw three chickens.... big ones... walking down the street. They even waited for the signal to change before they crossed the road. This, of course, begs the question why did they cross the road? I had an excellent opportunity to ask, but I was headed west as they were headed north and missed the chance. From what I observed, though, I think they crossed the road because they had no choice other than to stand still (which chickens never do). It was a strange sight!
posted by nathan at 8:00 AMApril 2nd, 2009
During some of my free time yesterday my mind wandered to some of my favorite poems. This isn't something that normally happens to me .... thinking about favorite poems and all. Generally, I'm thinking where I have to be next and if I'm prepared for what's to come (boring), but I try (especially during Lent) to direct my thoughts to something more worthwhile and really observe life while living it.... that "in the moment" thing. Anyway, I'm sitting there thinking about poems and for some reason I'm reminded of a quote I read once by G.K. Chesterton (he's been on my mind recently. If I could find a decent bookstore there are of a couple of his I'd love to sink into).
"Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese"
-G.K. Chesterton
I suppose cheese is poetry in and of itself, but this still makes me laugh :)
