The organist librarian

Berlioz Damnation of Faust from the Met. Lepage production. Have sung in the chorus several times wonderful score.The Tablet recommended Eugene Onegin from Komische Oper Berlin and it's excellent. Watched Bake off the Professionals, a very British hotel, Animal Park and Father Brown. Hot so shorts on. Could not get into quiet time zoom. Liz's Faust score records 5 performances including Levine. I recall Charles DuToit.

A week behind on this blog! Saturday at home with Bruce and went to Richard Hills recital at Bloomsbury a popular programme and enjoyable. Sunday clocks went forward and got to church on buses. Excellent Mothers day lunch of lamb with all the family and Clare. Henry made his first visit to our home and Sean was enchanted by him and presented him with a Henry engine. Had prosecco to celebrate. Monday to SPIDIR day at Sisters of St Andrew with Bob Reiss and bought his book Sceptical Christianity. To Beckenham circle which was pleasant. Tuesday to Gate for Met Idomeneo from 12 to 4.45 dropped off but Act 3 was great and the chorus were terrific. Levine conducted. Like the feature on Jessye Norman rehearsing Ariadne. Got to PEG in time - Brendan there and a rather unsatisfactory meeting - too disparate. I get fed up with people who dismiss good ideas - it won't work! Went to Acton early Wednesday hence tired. Sean amused himself and I watched rest of Valkyrie and Siegfried from Opera...

Tuesday to Clapham picturehouse for 11 a.m. relay from the Met thrillingly conducted by James Levine in a wheelchair. The intensity of playing was amazing considering the opera last 6 hours with intermissions. The cast were excellent. Johann Botha has a fine tenor voice but is unfortunately rather large so his acting is minimal. There are many touching moments but I found the Wach auf chorus in the last act very moving having sung it in the Chorus (in the foyer of the Festival Hall). and so soon after Jean Taylor so sadly died. The glorious ending and I think the whole cast should hace had a curtain call. It's not just about the principals wonderful as they are! To Acton and Tom cooked a lovely meal. Watched The Apprenitce final 5. Wednesday we all went to school to see Ciaran as Joseph in the nativity. He was so charming and cute and said his lines very clearly and joined in the singing. Seán was on good form and enjoying having Mummy home although she had ...