Well, it was a happy coincidence that my mother got tired tonight of watching the endless misery-tv that now occupies the current affairs programmes. After an interview with an elderly celebrity terrified of catching Covid, another with a priest who's ministered to the dying.. she'd had enough. So I had the idea of looking online for the Wexford Opera Festival, which I'd heard was going online this year. Turns out it doesn't start till the 20th - but lo, they had a one-hour introductory concert tonight! A solo concert by soprano Celine Byrne, accompanied by a solo pianist.
Ah, but it's lovely to hear opera again! It's free - I invite all to listen in. A mixture of popular songs and popular arias - predictably, my favourite of the arias is Mi Chiamano Mimi, from La Boheme, my favourite opera. Also gorgeous to hear familiar tunes, given an operatic treatment. Fast-forward to 12 minutes in, though - they take that long to tune the piano! And stay on at the end for a Broadway musical encore.. What excellent timing that concert was, for me.
On Saturday, back to film again for me.. it's about time I watched Milk, which is now coming up on my list. Stars Sean Penn in the true story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk. Available on Amazon Prime.
