“Opera improved on its glitz factor thanks to HD broadcasts and tabloid publicity, but lost sight of its artistry. Administrators and critics fostered the wholly erroneous notions that singers of the past couldn’t act and singers today could; while the jet-set demands of the international lifestyle fostered hothouse careers: the next great hope comes along, wins acclaim, oversings and fades from sight. The tenor Rolando Villazón became a poster boy for opera in the 2000s: not, alas, for his huge talent, but for singing his voice to shreds.”–Anne Midgette writing for the Washington Post about opera of the past decade
December 25, 2009
December 23, 2009
Gift cards & receipts
Are you giving somebody a gift card? The Federal Trade Commission says, “Give the recipient the original receipt to verify the card’s purchase in case it is lost or stolen.”
December 18, 2009
Garrison Keillor should shut up
Garrison Keillor has unpleasant things to say about Unitarians, Jews, and the people of Cambridge, Massachusetts, in his recent column. Maybe he should stay in his bigoted little hicksville where things are more to his liking.
December 12, 2009
Saving the planet?
“Ditch fake Christmas trees to save planet” says an article at telegraph.co.uk. My goodness! If a few fake trees more or less are going to make or break the planet, we might as well forget about the planet and do as we please.
