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Showing posts from June, 2021

La Sonnambula by Bellini at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées

  Bellini's opera, first performed in Milan in 1831, was based on a Parisian ballet about a sleepwalker. Sleepwalking on stage was a fashion in the 1820s. La Sonnambula is at the Théātre des Champs Elysées on certain dates in June. Despite its name, the theatre is not on Paris's famous avenue, but a ten minute walk away, towards the river. It is a theatre full of cosy atmosphere and pink carpets, with decorative motifs from the 1920s when it was built.     The title role is sung by Pretty Yende. Her rich generous voice is perfect for this bel canto work. From   being joyful and giggly in the early scenes, where her marriage to a local farmer Elvino is   announced, right through to the climatic aria « Ah ! Non credea mirarti… » when she compares her fiançé's love to a withered flower, lasting only one day, Pretty Yende sparkles. Stage director Rolando Villazòn, himself a well-known tenor, has decided to give an unusual (feminist ?) twi...

"OUVERTURE" : The re-opening of the Bourse de Commerce with Pinault's contemporary art collection

The title of this exhibition "OUVERTURE", means "Opening" in French. It is apt for my first on-line article, oops sorry, I should say Blog post.  In this Blog, I would like to bring you a flavour of the cultural scene in Paris. I will also provide a calendar of events, in case you are planning a visit to Paris. Voilà !  There's my simple manifesto. I wish to emulate the French Eurovision song which didn't quite make it to the top spot, but made a brave effort and whose singer stood out, in her elegance, from the crowd.  The present exhibition of François Pinault's contemporary art at the newly opened Bourse de Commerce is the main talking point in Paris at the moment, as far as exhibitions go.  I would recommend anyone to visit it, whether a lover of contemporary art or not, because the setting and the architecture alone are magnificent. The piece which immediately impresses the visitor is the marble statue of the "Abduction of the Sabine woman...