Ha Wagner... ca fait peur!
But no, it shouldn't! I am not really a fan, but, a Wagner opera live, as I saw last Sunday at the Proms, can be amazing!
A short and insightful introduction to Gotterdammerung here!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Jacqueline Du Pre - Elgar Cello Concerto 1st movement
Am quite poor this month because I have to save! save! save! money for my holidays next months (in 4 weeks now!!) New York will be miiiiine!
An article on the young people of Japan who are a bit lost, have no money, and can't afford a place to live.
Being poor, I haven't been doing very much. Anyway, here is a piece of music I really enjoy.
An article on the young people of Japan who are a bit lost, have no money, and can't afford a place to live.
Being poor, I haven't been doing very much. Anyway, here is a piece of music I really enjoy.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Famous in Sweden
Sorry, been a bit lazy/busy these past 10 days. But I'll try to make up for it today!
First, I am famous in Sweden! Kind of! My neighbour, the artist Tuija Lindström, filmed me rehearsing some flamenco steps in my patio and turned it into a video installation, which is shown as part of her exhibition Roman Road at the Galleri Sprinkler/Nasby Cafe in the island of Öland, a very pretty place apparently. Here is pic of the vid at the gallery.
Tuija Lindström, Benjamin Lalague. (Yoohoo! I am a muse!)
Tuija is a great photographer too, here is a pic shown at the exhibition. She's also done some great work based on flowers and photoshop. Unfortunately, she is moving back to Sweden at the end of August. :-(
Tuija Lindström, Blue Eyes
First, I am famous in Sweden! Kind of! My neighbour, the artist Tuija Lindström, filmed me rehearsing some flamenco steps in my patio and turned it into a video installation, which is shown as part of her exhibition Roman Road at the Galleri Sprinkler/Nasby Cafe in the island of Öland, a very pretty place apparently. Here is pic of the vid at the gallery.
Tuija Lindström, Benjamin Lalague. (Yoohoo! I am a muse!)Tuija is a great photographer too, here is a pic shown at the exhibition. She's also done some great work based on flowers and photoshop. Unfortunately, she is moving back to Sweden at the end of August. :-(
Tuija Lindström, Blue Eyes3 big ETA arrests, something we can only be happy about. A long article about how they did it in El Pais, which says it is the biggest blow to the terrorist organisation since 2004
I haven't written about it, but the Ballet Boyz gala at the Royal Festival Hall was really really good. Wayne Eagling's Duet (to the music of Wagner's Tristan and Isolde) was beautiful. I also loved the freshness of Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan. If those names sound off-putting, I am sorry, it's not intended! The evening was also very funny, thanks to the video links of the Ballet Boyz backstage. Read some reviews. A pic of Belinda Hatley dancing Five Brahms Waltzes
Went to my first Proms of the year on Tuesday, to listen to Verdi's MacBeth, which I really enjoyed. The director has a bit of a mad vision (the witches are gypsy girls), it had a lot of humour, which made easier to follow. I tried to watch the Orson Wells movie and had to stop, it was just so heavy. Here, as an opera, with Verdi's music, it was much easier to digest!
I haven't written about it, but the Ballet Boyz gala at the Royal Festival Hall was really really good. Wayne Eagling's Duet (to the music of Wagner's Tristan and Isolde) was beautiful. I also loved the freshness of Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan. If those names sound off-putting, I am sorry, it's not intended! The evening was also very funny, thanks to the video links of the Ballet Boyz backstage. Read some reviews. A pic of Belinda Hatley dancing Five Brahms Waltzes
Went to my first Proms of the year on Tuesday, to listen to Verdi's MacBeth, which I really enjoyed. The director has a bit of a mad vision (the witches are gypsy girls), it had a lot of humour, which made easier to follow. I tried to watch the Orson Wells movie and had to stop, it was just so heavy. Here, as an opera, with Verdi's music, it was much easier to digest!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
C'est so Paris!
A great campaign to attract Londoners to Paris...
This poster is great! A fantasy almost coming true! hehe
This poster is great! A fantasy almost coming true! hehe
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Princess Die
I talk about drag artist Russella's show Princess Die ages ago when I went to see it.
Just found out a video extract from the show! I hope you like it. I think it's hilarious.
If you want to see the whole show (and I think you should!) it will be running at the Etcetera Theatre in Camen between the 6th and 9th of August!
The Etcetera Theatre
265 Camden High Street
NW1 7BU
Tel 020 7482 4857 www.ticketweb.com
10.30pm, 6th-9th of August
All tickets £7.50
Just found out a video extract from the show! I hope you like it. I think it's hilarious.
If you want to see the whole show (and I think you should!) it will be running at the Etcetera Theatre in Camen between the 6th and 9th of August!
The Etcetera Theatre
265 Camden High Street
NW1 7BU
Tel 020 7482 4857 www.ticketweb.com
10.30pm, 6th-9th of August
All tickets £7.50
Friday, July 06, 2007
Music and dance
Went to see La Vie en Rose yesterday. Great performance from Marion Cotillard! Mixed reviews: I was a bit moved, Michael not at all, and our friend Simone cried for the final 20 minutes. You?
Dancer Carlos Acosta is one of the best around. And he is hot. The Guardian wonders why he is not a bigger star. As some people say in the comments: maybe simply because he is a dancer, and dancers, male in particular, are just not that famous?
What is the future for music retailing? I wonder. The last CD I bought was a Miles Davis classic for £3... A good article on what is going on here in the UK.
And finally, Angelique Kidjo is coming to the Barbican in september! Am really really excited! Here is a vid of her live, singing Tumba, a song that always brings me up when I am feeling a bit low! So much energy. Might be the tune for my first dance at my wedding, but I need to check with Michael first...
Dancer Carlos Acosta is one of the best around. And he is hot. The Guardian wonders why he is not a bigger star. As some people say in the comments: maybe simply because he is a dancer, and dancers, male in particular, are just not that famous?
What is the future for music retailing? I wonder. The last CD I bought was a Miles Davis classic for £3... A good article on what is going on here in the UK.
And finally, Angelique Kidjo is coming to the Barbican in september! Am really really excited! Here is a vid of her live, singing Tumba, a song that always brings me up when I am feeling a bit low! So much energy. Might be the tune for my first dance at my wedding, but I need to check with Michael first...
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
ha la culture 2
So the Dali exhibition was really good. What a painter he is. So skillful, so detailed.
I enjoyed watching his collaboration with Walt disney studios, Destino. Haunting and not scary at all, as I was expecting.
A lot going on in the world these days... too much really. I feel a bit disconnected, but I am trying to finish off War and Peace this week, so no time for newspapers! hehe Found a very good restaurant near Victoria Park: The Empress of India. Highly recommend it. Their meat is always so well cooked!
Watched Claude Chabrol's Le Boucher on Sunday. What a movie! The characters are quite funny really... it is so 60s French you know... little village, the well respected 'directrice de l'ecole', smoking gauloises, 'no garlic with lamb! never!', the 'certificat d'etude', the 'dictee'... made me feel quite nostalgic! But really scared too.
I enjoyed watching his collaboration with Walt disney studios, Destino. Haunting and not scary at all, as I was expecting.
A lot going on in the world these days... too much really. I feel a bit disconnected, but I am trying to finish off War and Peace this week, so no time for newspapers! hehe Found a very good restaurant near Victoria Park: The Empress of India. Highly recommend it. Their meat is always so well cooked!
Watched Claude Chabrol's Le Boucher on Sunday. What a movie! The characters are quite funny really... it is so 60s French you know... little village, the well respected 'directrice de l'ecole', smoking gauloises, 'no garlic with lamb! never!', the 'certificat d'etude', the 'dictee'... made me feel quite nostalgic! But really scared too.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
ha la culture...
Day off tomorrow, with a tour of the Dali exhibition at the Tate Modern planned, and maybe a movie?
The Spice girls are back. I don't know if that is going to work, but then, were they ever gone? They are almost everyday in the papers here, and their songs are still heavily played. Will they fill stadiums? Apparently some people have trouble...
The Spice girls are back. I don't know if that is going to work, but then, were they ever gone? They are almost everyday in the papers here, and their songs are still heavily played. Will they fill stadiums? Apparently some people have trouble...
Monday, June 04, 2007
British ballerina Darcey Bussell is retiring from ballet this Friday. She is the most popular ballet dancer in the UK, and her last performance will be transmitted live on BBC2. Don't miss it! Earlier this month, she also did several "Farewell" performances at Sadlers Wells theatre.
ETA is apparently ready to strike again. :-(
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The Queen's new portrait
This is a 1789 portrait of Queen Charlotte by Thomas Lawrence.
Photographer Annie Leibovitz updates this painting in her portrait of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, which was unveiled last week. This Guardian columnist loves it, and I like it too. I find it humane and touching. The light is so amazing (what you can do with filters ad photoshop these days!) Do you like it?
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Israel Cachao Lopez - Barbican - review
A brilliant concert from the creator of mambo! Yes! The CREATOR of mambo! He is 88, and, in the 30s, introduced African rhythms to the Cuban danzon, creating a new sound, the mambo. Lopez still plays the double bass with aplomb and fun. I feel so lucky to have seen him play live.
His entire band was amazing, playing masterfully and being very entertaining, obviously enjoying being on stage all together.
Check out this video I took towards the end!
His entire band was amazing, playing masterfully and being very entertaining, obviously enjoying being on stage all together.
Check out this video I took towards the end!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Pulitzer prize for Photography
Oded Balilty won a Pulitzer Prize yesterday for his photograph of a lone settler woman defying Israeli security forces.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Total Eclipse / The Rose Tattoo
Saw 2 plays last week, unfortunately, neither of them amazing.
Total Eclipse tells the story of the Rimbaud/Verlaine couple. The direction was very good, with the long stage in the middle of the room, with rows of chairs for the audience on both sides, allowing more freedom in the positioning of the actors. Daniel Evans was a very good Verlaine, caught under the spell of the younger poet. Jamie Doyle's Rimbaud was a bit one-toned (always sounding rebellious and condescending) but gave out a little sexual aura, despite the absence of even a little kiss between them in the play. All in all, a good night actually, thinking about it...
The Rose Tattoo was very disappointing to me. I loved reading the play a few years ago, it was all so crazy and dramatic. Apparently though, I misunderstood it totally because it is "a buoyantly comic celebration of life". What? the story of a superstitious woman overcome with grief, who finds solace in a man after 3 years of not getting out her house. Anyway. Sorry about that, Tenessee Williams, I misread you! I feel awful. Anyway, in my view, the high drama and camp would have come across much better than the jokes that were made. Plus some strong monologues got lost. When Seraphina says she is not a slut like other women, she repeats "I am happy just to remember! [what it was like to be in bed with my husband]", but we don't notice. When she says that, unlike other married women who send the double beds to the cellar, she was always happy to satisfy her husband: "it was like a religion". when I read the play, I found those bits quite moving, I mean, the despair of that woman... but here, people chuckled. Failing to really get into it, I thought it lasted ages, but finally, it ended, with Zoe Wanamaker running joyfully around. Seraphina is pregnant again, her life is back, mine too thank god!
Total Eclipse tells the story of the Rimbaud/Verlaine couple. The direction was very good, with the long stage in the middle of the room, with rows of chairs for the audience on both sides, allowing more freedom in the positioning of the actors. Daniel Evans was a very good Verlaine, caught under the spell of the younger poet. Jamie Doyle's Rimbaud was a bit one-toned (always sounding rebellious and condescending) but gave out a little sexual aura, despite the absence of even a little kiss between them in the play. All in all, a good night actually, thinking about it...
The Rose Tattoo was very disappointing to me. I loved reading the play a few years ago, it was all so crazy and dramatic. Apparently though, I misunderstood it totally because it is "a buoyantly comic celebration of life". What? the story of a superstitious woman overcome with grief, who finds solace in a man after 3 years of not getting out her house. Anyway. Sorry about that, Tenessee Williams, I misread you! I feel awful. Anyway, in my view, the high drama and camp would have come across much better than the jokes that were made. Plus some strong monologues got lost. When Seraphina says she is not a slut like other women, she repeats "I am happy just to remember! [what it was like to be in bed with my husband]", but we don't notice. When she says that, unlike other married women who send the double beds to the cellar, she was always happy to satisfy her husband: "it was like a religion". when I read the play, I found those bits quite moving, I mean, the despair of that woman... but here, people chuckled. Failing to really get into it, I thought it lasted ages, but finally, it ended, with Zoe Wanamaker running joyfully around. Seraphina is pregnant again, her life is back, mine too thank god!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Russella is Princess Die
Went to see this show by this drag artist I have met once, Russella, who is really funny. Her show is called Princess Die: "Once upon a time there was a little girl who dreamed of being a ballerina... Russella as Princess Die chronicles the life and death of the Peoples Princess through a montage of lip-synching, song and dance. This is no fairy story"
I had a really good time. There's an hilarious moment where Sarah Ferguson interviews Princess Die. Sarah asks her silly questions "What was your favourite slope on that ski trip?" and Princess Die gives mad answers (while spitting pieces of cake out of her mouth) "I can give love to anyone" or stuff like that.
My favourite bit was the video of Princess Die trying to order a taxi on the phone and giving her name "Diana... Princess Diana... Lady Spencer... Ms Windsor... Queen of hearts... People's Princess... Bulimic... Victim... ha you know who I am now" hehehe There's also the video of the Queen coming to stab Diana in the shower, a la Psycho. Or the song Russella sings "I could do worse than that", brilliant lyrics.
Anyway, if you'd like to see more of Russella, or some other good drag shows, don't hesitate to go to the great place that is Bistrotheque, in East London. Russella and her group The Lipsinkers are doing a show there every Saturday in March.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Janet Baker - Absence (nuits d'ete, Berlioz)
Ha, how I like YouTube... it makes posting so easy when I cant be bothered! I just need to find a video I want to share and hop!!
Here, the magistral Janet Baker sings the fourth song from the cycle Nuits d'Ete (summer nights) by Berlioz (1840)
Done!
Here, the magistral Janet Baker sings the fourth song from the cycle Nuits d'Ete (summer nights) by Berlioz (1840)
Done!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Isabel Bayon - Sadlers' Wells - review
Went to see my second, and last, show of the Flamenco Festival, which goes on until next Saturday. It was called "La puerta abierta", the open door, and starred dancer Isabel Bayon and catalan singer Miguel Poveda.
La puerta abierta opened at the Seville Bienal de Flamenco where it won the prize for Best show. For 1 hour and 15 minutes, Isabel Bayon stays on stage, getting changed between number in front of the audience, in a room at the back of the stage, with a door as the focal point. She starts moving to the sound of a recorded martinete (sung by a classic singer apparently) and the Goldberg Variations (think piano, think Bach) Daring, but it works. The singer Miguel Poveda and the band then come onstage, and we can hear a solea, a great milonga and some alegrias.
Poveda is a catalan singer, but you wouldnt know, I mean, he is just great and might as well be from Cadiz. Bayon dances lightly on her feet, I found her very refreshing and enchanting to look at, quite wonderful really.
A paso doble is then sung, and Poveda and Bayon start dancing together, holding each other, ballroom style. This great show then ends, too early really, with a great buleria.
La puerta abierta opened at the Seville Bienal de Flamenco where it won the prize for Best show. For 1 hour and 15 minutes, Isabel Bayon stays on stage, getting changed between number in front of the audience, in a room at the back of the stage, with a door as the focal point. She starts moving to the sound of a recorded martinete (sung by a classic singer apparently) and the Goldberg Variations (think piano, think Bach) Daring, but it works. The singer Miguel Poveda and the band then come onstage, and we can hear a solea, a great milonga and some alegrias.
Poveda is a catalan singer, but you wouldnt know, I mean, he is just great and might as well be from Cadiz. Bayon dances lightly on her feet, I found her very refreshing and enchanting to look at, quite wonderful really.
A paso doble is then sung, and Poveda and Bayon start dancing together, holding each other, ballroom style. This great show then ends, too early really, with a great buleria.
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