#stephen wallace

[robinboardman]

Malin Head, Ireland's northernmost point Photograph: Stephen Wallace

[verdiprati]

From the suddenly prolific YouTube user Felices Cantus Händel: a single video with a full-length recording of the English National Opera’s 2000 production of Semele, directed by Robert Carsen. This has previously been available on YouTube as a three-parter: 1, 2, 3. The picture quality in both versions is poor, but this new full-length version seems to have avoided the interlacing problems that plagued the three-part version. 

Semele competes with Alcina to be my all-time favorite opera, and I like this production a lot; I think its setting in a modern, unspecified European royal court is apt for its Restoration libretto (by William Congreve), and the production nicely balances the humor, beauty, and pathos in Handel’s score. Susan Bickley just slays me as Juno and I love Janis Kelly’s antics as her sidekick Iris. Sarah Connolly and Rosemary Joshua have a sweet, sisterly chemistry as Ino and Semele. Other members of the cast include John Mark Ainsley (Jupiter), Stephen Wallace (Athamas), Clive Bayley (Cadmus), and Graeme Danby (Somnus). Harry Bicket, one of my favorite Handel conductors, keeps the tempi lively.

[robinboardman]

Mourne mountains, NI Photograph: Stephen Wallace

[robinboardman]

The Dark Hedges County Antrim, Northern Ireland Photograph: Stephen Wallace

[robinboardman]

Fanad lighthouse, County Donegal Photograph: Stephen Wallace

[discontinued108]

Stephen Wallace

[thedepressedpelican]

Stephen Wallace - The Twelve Bens

[sheltiechicago]

This was taken in Dazhai Village, China. The woman is a member of the Yao minority. This was taken with the light from one window.

(Stephen Wallace, 2020 Sony World Photography Awards)