Opera, srsly!

This is my blog for everything connected to opera, but I'm just posting whatever I like most of the time. I do follow back with my main blog, which is Dystopian Mood Board. Proud half of Fuck yeah, Philippe Jaroussky

[operasrsly]

Wotan (John Lundgren) and Loge (Daniel Behle), 2022 Vienna State

[oldpaintings]

John Graham Lough In His Studio, 1881 by Ralph Hedley (English, 1848--1913)

[ltwilliammowett]

Coins under the mast

As you may have heard, HMS Victory’s last three masts were removed at the start of the month. The mainmast had already been taken down in 2021; the foremast, mizzenmast and bowsprit have now followed. This was all part of the restoration work, and everything is due to be back in place by 2033.

Now, a closer look had been taken at the site of the foremast, and what was found there, just as under the mainmast? Coins. These six coins dated from the 19th century, so they must have been placed there following a previous repair during that time.

So why are there coins under a mast? According to old sailors’ superstitions, they were there to bless the ship and the crew and bring them good luck. Well, I have a bonus/further theory: in ancient times, the dead were buried with coins on their tongue and/or eyes to pay Charon, the ferryman of the underworld, for the crossing. Our sailors were, and in some cases still are, very superstitious, and liked to mix pagan and Christian beliefs, so it may well be that these coins also served to pay the ferryman when the ship and its crew were taken away. But that’s just a theory of mine, let me know what do you think.

[goth-queen]

[probablybadrpgideas]

If any weapon is used to kill enough people in a short enough time, it gains sentience

Yes, that boulder that rolled down a hill crushing a small army, sentient

­The Sea has learnt to Hate

[operasrsly]

"... get wrecked, Arius"

[sculppp]

 Jacques-Louis David (1748 –  1825)

Leonidas at Thermopylae 1814,detail.

[ltwilliammowett]

The brigantine Tres Hombres on her way to Blankenberge, Belgium

[museum-of-artifacts]

Whale carving from the 1200-600 CE chumash culture. California, #usa #califórnia #whale #art #history

https://www.instagram.com/museum.of.artifact?igsh=MnN2NzQ1NzhyZW00&utm_source=qr

[clawmarks]

A comparative view of the five orders of architecture (Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Composite) - J Wilkes - 1795 - via The British Museum

[operasrsly]

"Se il tuo duol", Arbace's Aria from Idomeneo May 26, Daniel Behle, Rüdiger Lotter (cond.), Hofkapelle München

What an amazing experience that was.

[operasrsly]

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"...  non vegga il pugnal!"

[operasrsly]

Fritz (Fiete) Kießel, Tenor, as Lohengrin

The son of a butcher frequently helped out in his father's shop in Nürnberg, commuting to his rehearsals and performances at the Stadttheater Bamberg. (Source: Riesaer Tageblatt 19 April 1913)

Translation below. Original: "Der Metzger als Heldentenor. Aus Bamberg erhält die die "Voss. Ztg." (Vossische Zeitung) folgende Zuschrift: In aller Stille ist am Bamberger Stadttheater von Partie zu Partie ein Künstler gewachsen, der, wenn ihm Glück und Kraft treu bleiben, noch von sich reden machen wird: es ist der junge Heldentenor Fritz Kießel. Kießel, der in Nürnberg lebt und von dort auch zu den Proben und Vorstellungen nach Bamberg fährt, ist heute noch in dem Metzgereigeschäft seines Vaters tätig. Es war in der jetzt zu Ende gegangenen Spielzeit für ihn nichts ungewöhnliches, Wagners "Siegfried", den "José" in "Carmen", den "Pedro" in "Tiefland" usw. zu singen; dann nachts nach Nürnberg zu fahren und um 5 Uhr früh bereits - auf dem Viehhof tätig zu sein. Aber wie lange wird dies Kießel tun können, ohne Schaden zu nehmen?"

"The butcher as a Heldentenor. A letter to the “Vossische Zeitung" from Bamberg reports the following: “Quietly, at the Bamberg City Theatre, an artist has been developing from role to role who, if luck and strength remain on his side, is sure to make a name for himself: he is the young heroic tenor Fritz Kießel.” Kießel, who lives in Nuremberg and travels from there to Bamberg for rehearsals and performances, still works in his father’s butcher’s shop today. During the season that has just come to an end, it was nothing out of the ordinary for him to sing Wagner’s ‘Siegfried’, ‘José’ in ‘Carmen’, ‘Pedro’ in ‘Tiefland’, and so on; then to travel to Nuremberg at night and be at work at the livestock market as early as 5 o’clock in the morning. But how long will Kießel be able to keep this up without suffering the consequences?"

Here is yet another picture of him in the role.

[lankin]

Eric Halfvarson sings "Oh beauty, oh handsomeness, goodness" from Benjamin Britten's "Billy Budd"

I keep coming back to this piece over the years so I thought I'd slightly tweak audio and video in case anone else is feeling the same and add English subs.

Benjamin Britten: Billy Budd Vienna, 2001. Stage direction: Willy Decker Captain Vere - Neil Shicoff Billy Budd - Bo Skovhus John Claggart - Eric Halfvarson Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper Conductor: Donald Runnicles

[operasrsly]

Kings of Bravura - Bravourarien der Klassik

Daniel Behle (Tenor), Rüdiger Lotter (Leitung), Hofkapelle München May 10, 2026

Arias by Mozart's contemporaries, all world first performances in modern times.

It was an absolute blast. For those who missed out - there are still two more chances.

Barockfest Steyr: https://www.barockfestivalsteyr.at/

München: https://tinyurl.com/2jshfmt3

[operasrsly]

Rinat Shaham sings "In furore iustissima irae"

I'm posting the original description down below - please also drop by the video on YouTube and give the generous uploader a like!

ANTONIO VIVALDI: (MOTET) IN FURORE JUSTISSIMAE IRAE IN C MINOR, RV 626 – A live concert performance from 1995 featuring Rinat Shaham, mezzo-soprano (23 years old!), with Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Marc Mostovoy, at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

I. Allegro: [In furore iustissimae irae] II. (Recitativo): [Miserationum Pater piissime] III. Largo: [Tunc meus fletus] IV. Allegro: [Alleluia]

[operasrsly]

I adore creative instrument makers through the ages and their creations. This lira da braccio looks a little like Lady Cassandra from Dr Who though.