Sharing Guy's Journey

Thoughts, comments, observations, reactions, enthusiasms

A Performance of “Norma” for the Books (History Books, That Is)

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Of the three operas I heard at La Fenice last May, the one I will not forget is Bellini’s Norma. When I arrived at La Fenice, all of Venice, it seemed, had crowded into Campo San Fantin in front of the opera house. They were there to honor soprano Mariella Devia, who was singing the title …

Music in Midtown – A New York City Landmark Meets Extraordinary Talent

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New Yorkers aren’t known for being shy about what they like about their hometown (even if they’re originally from somewhere else). Sometimes, though, there’s just so much we can’t share it all. And I’m pretty typical in that way. Anyone who reads these posts knows how much fun I have with all the music available …

Opera: Venice – A “La Traviata” from Our Own Time

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Is there any opera that is talked about (or written about) as often as La Traviata? Who knows? And while La Traviata is not one of the much referred-to three most popular operas in the world (the famous alphabetical A-B-C: Aida, La Bohème, and Carmen), it remains steadfast in the repertory in almost every serious opera house. And in …

Opera: Venice – The City of Music

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On a visit to Venice last year, several performances gave new meaning (for me) to the common perception of Venice as an important musical destination. There seemed to be performances of classical music all over the place, in both secular venues and at the many churches that have been given over to musical events. It would …