Thursday, April 30, 2009
Shakespeare and Mozart's last works.
This week we went downtown to see two excellent productions - Shakespeare's last play - "The Tempest" and Mozart's last work - "La Clemenza di Tito".
Both were unusual and excellent productions.
"The Tempest" at Steppenwolf was played in non-traditional dress, with the players shunning traditional Shakespearean declamatory style in favor of totally modern prosody. The result was an enthralling performance.
"La Clemenza di Tito" was played on a simple, but credible, set. By any measure the Chicago Opera Theater is Chicago's second string Opera Company. However, this production was in no way inferior to anything produced by the Chicago Lyric Opera. The voices of the young singers were world class. I have no doubt that their names will become famous. Watch, in particular, for Dominic Armstrong, Charlotte Dobbs, and Renata Pokupic.
What is not mentioned in the course of the performance is that the Tito of the title is the Titus who destroyed the second Temple in Jerusalem!
Both were unusual and excellent productions.
"The Tempest" at Steppenwolf was played in non-traditional dress, with the players shunning traditional Shakespearean declamatory style in favor of totally modern prosody. The result was an enthralling performance.
"La Clemenza di Tito" was played on a simple, but credible, set. By any measure the Chicago Opera Theater is Chicago's second string Opera Company. However, this production was in no way inferior to anything produced by the Chicago Lyric Opera. The voices of the young singers were world class. I have no doubt that their names will become famous. Watch, in particular, for Dominic Armstrong, Charlotte Dobbs, and Renata Pokupic.
What is not mentioned in the course of the performance is that the Tito of the title is the Titus who destroyed the second Temple in Jerusalem!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Haitink and the Chicago Symphony
We listened to a program of Webern, Mahler and Schubert (The Great Symphony) at the CSO last night. Despite walking with the aid of a cane, Haitink delivered his usual masterful performance.
The Botanic Gardens
We rode to the Gardens on one of the first nice days of spring. This is one of my favorite views - not hard to find - its from the bridge as one walks in.
On the other hand, this field of Crocuses (Crocii) looks like it is afflicted with the pox.
On the other hand, this field of Crocuses (Crocii) looks like it is afflicted with the pox.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
The design is impressive and moving. Moving around it is disorienting, with a surprise at every turn. An eerie feeling. We attended the Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration last Tuesday. Click on the photo for more pictures.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Paris in the 70s
I have been neglecting my blog in favor of Facebook and LinkedIn, and scanning old slides and negatives - so, here is an album of a day in Paris sometime in the 1970s. Enjoy.
Friday, April 03, 2009
My Grandfathers Mother
Our earliest photographed ancestor - my great granddmother - Ruscha - 1848-1918
Our earliest photographed ancestor - my great granddmother - Ruscha - 1848-1918
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