At the Liceù for Il Pirata (7-01-2013) .

Somehow, when I came back from Barcelona on January the 11th I was unable to make up my mind about all I had seen and heard during those four days there. What I had in mind (and still have) was a mixture of sheer happiness at the Liceù and great discomfort in town.

I have known Barcelona for some years. My first stay was in Spring 1973. It was snowing on Catalunya! We had smashing memories of those days spent also in the mountains, Poblet and Montserrat, on Easter Day... absolutely packed! This year 2013, only beginning, seemed hard on the people and I felt terribly sad to witness that "happy Barcelona" in my memory, was going through what we all experience in Southern Europe at the moment, shortage of jobs mainly the consequence of an international bank situation which is really unfair to the working people.

Knowing fairly well that Opera everywhere is a symbol of luxury and wealth I can see my own contradictions even more when I travel out of France in Europe. Maybe soon I will stop travelling for 'operas' and will really retire and enjoy my radio with the help of all my friends around the world now, who will keep my windows and heart wide open, I hope, for ever! Last night I came across a gem from Forum Opera news and I am happy to share it because I enjoyed the second night (7th) tremendously for the singers, the choir and the orchestra from a smashing seat right in the front row in the middle of the house from the third balcony! Here are the links of this amazing Bellini's Il Pirata. I can not understand how some people find Mariella Devia's rendition 'cold'... perhaps they do not feel what she does on the word Pieta with the music... and this is only an example.. taken from what was a very moving rendition for me. We do not all hear the same things... Still, this is such a wonder with also tremendous singing from Gregory Kunde! http://www.rtbf.be/radio/player/musiq3?id=1792899 All I can hope is that form of amazing art which is Opera will become more popular in terms of affordable prices, instead of turning it into cinema where I find it even more expensive than a cheap seat at the opera house itself. (I have never been so far... I keep saying jokingly... I'll only go when I'm in a wheelchair...) Perhaps more opera houses will start again going on tours to give opportunities to see artists who seem to only perform either in Northern countries or at the Met or at the Scala. I do not forget all the young singers (like my friends in Paris) who keep opera and classical music alive in wonderful productions which cost peanuts for the listener! (18€) There will be another concert at: Temple du Luxembourg on Feb the 9th("ça fait peur aux oiseaux, 8.30pm, concert, concept Dorothée Daffy photo copyright Philippe Platel. [When] Saturday, 9 February 2013 [Time] 20:30 until 21:45 [Where] Temple du Luxembourg, 58 rue Madame 75006 Paris [Description] Marie Menand (soprano) Benoît Deney (ténor) Zofia Rieger (piano) Dorothée Daffy (mise en scène) ...vous invitent à un récital amoureux autour d'airs, duos et pièces pour piano de Schumann, Wagner, Granados, Gounod, Offenbach, Massenet, Bernard, Weill et Lehar. Tous les états amoureux en une heure de récital! Recital about LOVE beyond its states through arias, duets and piano excerpts from Schumann, Wagner, Granados, Gounod, Offenbach, Massenet, Bernard, Weill and Lehar, for simply an hour!Tickets on the spot, 10€!

Here's the precious link again: LINK