Nixon In China : John Adams : BBC Proms

Wednesday 5th September
(a little bit of catch-up from a busy summer)

• John Adams

  Nixon in China

• Kathleen Kim soprano (Madame Mao)
• Alan Oke tenor (Chairman Mao)
• Gerald Finley bass-baritone (Chou En-Lai)
• Robert Orth baritone (President Nixon)
• Jessica Rivera soprano (Pat Nixon)
• James Rutherford bass-baritone, New Generation Artist (Kissinger)
• Stephanie Marshall mezzo-soprano (Secretary)
• Louise Poole mezzo-soprano (Secretary)
• Susan Platts mezzo-soprano (Secretary)
• BBC Singers
• BBC Symphony Orchestra
• John Adams conductor
• Paul Curran stage director

Standing in the Royal Albert Hall Arena for the first time, up real close to the front - well I did arrive nice and early and very excited for my first go at being a proper Prommer! Also very excited too knowing that both Gerald Finley and Kathleen Kim are in the cast for this concert format performance of Nixon in China.

I have previously seen this John Adams opera on TV in The Metropolitan Opera's production, also featuring Kathleen Kim as Madam Mao, who was fantastic, the production itself left me rather underwhelmed but felt an opportunity to view this in concert format was not to be missed as I was sure there was much to appreciate here that I had missed. So glad I took this opportunity as I was totally blown away! The whole cast were fantastic, Kathleen Kim was awesome as Madam Mao-a stellar performance, and it was an incredible experience for me to find myself so close to the stage to watch her perform, in particular the aria "I am the wife of Mao Tse-Tung" Woooohooooo, what a performance! Incredible! Gerald Finley was incredible also, as were Jessica Rivera-a lovely Pat Nixon, Robert Orth and Alan Oke.

I have quickly grown to rate very highly operas I have seen done in concert format, much easier to appreciate both the music and singing performances without the distractions of scenery, especially the music and here I must say how much I loved the music of John Adams here-spine tingling-which I must confess was totally lost on me watching The Met production, and what a bonus to have Adams himself conducting. I found myself equally stunned and delighted that there were so many youngsters in the audience around me enjoying everything as much as I was, and obviously much more knowledgeable of John Adams' work than I - lovely to see! Came away from this easily high as a kite as I do when attending any of the older, classic operas that I also love......

..... just as a footnote, I must add that I do love modern operas such as this, a wonderful way to convey epic moments of modern history as I also found with Adam's Dr Atomic. More of the wonderful diversity that is opera, I find myself enjoying this easily as much as I do Mozart or Handel, Rossini or Verdi, Wagner or Strauss, Puccini or Berlioz. Ain't opera just wunnerful!! A fantastic experience and Kathleen Kim's Madam Mao will remain as a very special memory I shall treasure.

Also just to add that I atteneded the pre-concert talk across the road at the Royal College of Music which gave a great insight into China's political situation at the time of Nixons visit. As I write this it is still available to listen on this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b01mf8c3 with writer and broadcaster Rana Mitter and journalist Shuyun Sun-was very keen to hear her speak as I remember her as a producer on the magnificent BBC series A Year In Tibet and she also wrote the fascinating book which accomanied this series. Very enjoyable and informative talk.

Some background and synopsis for Nixon In China available here on Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_in_China_(opera)

Catch-up time!! ..... hopefully

London Olympic/Paralympic stadium
 

It may appear that I have been doing little over the summer but the opposite is strangely true. Feet seemed to hardly touch the ground so have had very little time to collect my thoughts and blog.

What an amazing summer that was, too many distractions, starting early on with the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, The BBC Proms, The Olympics and Paralympics have all taken up a considerable amount of time but now I wish to catch up writing about the many memorable experiences of this glorious summer before we get too far into the new opera/concert season ahead, so many beautiful things I wish to capture and share the memories so will be attempting to do so over the coming weeks starting with the unforgettable recital at Wigmore Hall London with the awesome Joyce DiDonato/David Zobel!
http://annez-reflectionz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/joyce-didonato-wigmore-hall-london.html

Royal Albert Hall - Home of BBC Proms
 

Joyce DiDonato : Wigmore Hall London

6th July 2012

When my very favourite singer is appearing in London, Wigmore Hall no less, don't I just have to be there!!!

So unbelievably excited to be getting the chance to hear Joyce sing in this amazing setting, and so lucky to have managed to get a ticket! As Joyce appears on stage, all smiles, with her lovely accompanist on piano, David Zobel, I know we are in for an amazing recital as she is to take us with her on a tour of Venice in song.

A lovely quip in response to the applause that greets her on stage "You're all just excited cos Andy Murray won" Andy Murray did win his match at Wimbledon today-but no Joyce, we're all so very excited in the expectation of what lies ahead. BBC Radio 3 microphones are here too so it's great to know so many others who cannot be here get to enjoy this recital as well, I am sure many of her devoted fans from around the globe will be listening in.

Joyce opens the recital with two lovely arias by the Venetian Vivaldi from Ercole sul Termodonte, beautifully sung and then immediately, having already captured her audience with those Vivaldi arias, leads us right on with Cinq Melodies de Venise by Faure, perhaps more sentiments - and beautiful, soulful sentiments they are, of love and rapture - of Venice and what it should be, but painting a beautiful mood setting for our eventual arrival in that great city. We cannot doubt now that we have arrived at our destination as Joyce, our tour leader, takes us into Rossini and all the sights and sounds of La Regata Veneziana as we are taken along with Anzoleta as she cheers on her lover Momolo in his gondola race, Joyce's wonderful, humourous character portrayal of this young girl, her singing is just sublime as she delivers these three songs we are right there beside the overly-excited Anzoleta. As rapturous applause rings out, ugh, what, we have to have an interval now, OK if we muuuuuuuuuuuuust, LOL!!

We resume on a more sombre but still delightful note starting, with Schubert's Gondelfahrer (Gondolier) followed by Two Lieder, Venetian airs of Schumann from Myrten to further transport us into the romance that is Venice. I don't want this to end I am so deeply immersed. Joyce moves on now to Three Songs of Venice by Michael Head and then Five Songs from Venezia by Reynaldo Hahn, these are truly beautiful as they speak of love and laughter, along with the torment of a (so-called one suspects) love now faded in What A Shame!, and the last song Spring "just one more month and the nightingale's song will pour it's honey on my soul" - just WOW!! So stunningly beautiful, I'm reduced to tears-all is good! What a wonderful recital, such an incredible program and thankfully all is not quite over yet as more rapturous applause brings back Joyce and David to the stage for encores.

I leave Wigmore Hall on Cloud 9 - at least, my feet, did they touch the ground, I think not, not for days and days after as I re-lived this amazing shared experience that is Joyce and the warmth with which she enfolds her audience and takes them happily, joyfully with her! Come back to Wigmore Hall soon please Joyce, and thank you for all the tears and laughter and the total warmth and joy you bring to your audience!!!

Am now looking forward very, very excitedly to the release of  Joyce's album Drama Queens, I just know this will be stunning-take a look at this, if this isn't enough to get excited about I don't know what is!!

Also excited that Joyce will be performing from this album at The Barbican, London next February - not to be missed!!

A little way prior to the Barbican recital, in January 2013 Joyce is appearing at The Metropolitan Opera in Maria Stuarda in the title role, here's a small taste of her performing Maria Stuarda at Houston Grand Opera earlier this year - WOW!

Joyce will also be appearing at The Royal Opera House May/June 2013 in Rossini's La Donna del Lago, I am so very excited about this as I know she will be amazing!!! Here's a little scrumptious taste of what to expect.

Damon Albarn - Opera

For those of us who enjoyed the opera Dr Dee at English National Opera http://annez-reflectionz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/dr-dee-eno-damon-albarn.html, some exciting news, Damon Albarn wants to write another opera!! More here at NME

http://www.nme.com/news/damon-albarn/66441

Dr Dee : ENO : Damon Albarn

Friday 29th June 2012

John Dee                        Paul Hilton
Katherine Dee               Anna Dennis
Kelley                              Christopher Robson
Walsingham                  Steven Page
Elizabeth                         Melanie Pappenheim
Young Dee                      Rebecca Sutherland
Young Katherine             Victoria Couper
Jane                                 Clemmie Sveaas

(OK, I'm very late, breathlessly trying to catch up - too many distractions going on but this was too good to forget!!!)
Seems like almost a lifetime ago I booked my ticket for Dr Dee having been seriously kicking myself that I missed out on Damon Albarn's first venture into opera with Monkey: Journey to The West, I was not going to miss another opportunity in this collaboration with Rufus Norris producing. I was not alone, a Gorillaz fan I found myself sitting beside an equally excited Blur fan who had purchased his ticket around same time as me, comparing notes at interval and at the end we both went away well impressed with what we had seen and wanting more.

A bit of background here with Damon Albarn and others collaborating in the production talking around the time of the 2011 opening

Having never heard of John Dee until the opera first emerged as part of Manchester's 2011 Festival I was fascinated by what I was hearing about this amazing man, an alchemist, who lived at the time of Queen Elizabeth I and was held in high regard by Elizabeth herself.

We start with a raven,  flying out from one of the unoccupied boxes on to the stage above the on-stage musicians - the orchestra itself being seated in the usual orchestra pit. Now I must describe the area in which these on-stage musicians occupy, in short it looks something like a wooden veranda that has become detached from a house, a stage within  stage, the musicians sitting inside, to the left hand side there are a few steps that descend to the stage, here sits Damon Albarn with his guitar-the raven lands on the roof. At present this stage within a stage is occupying the full lower third of the stage. The music begins and Damon Albarn sings the first song of the opera, Apple Carts which has a haunting folk-like quality to it.

As he sings various characters, one at a time begin to walk on from stage left atop this veranda. Firstly a punk rocker with bright pink hair, followed by a city gent, then cricketer W G Grace, a suffragette .... aha, we are going back in time with Nelson, Charles I, this is England, our England. As each of the characters walks across the roof of this 'veranda', they walk to the back, position themselves facing forward each in turn then leans back and plunges off the back of the stage as the next character then appears - great hilarity all round at this! After the last character has gone off the back the veranda itself starts to slowly rise above the stage and from beneath appears a dying, elderly John Dee in his sick bed which is pushed by his loving daughter Katherine who perambulates around the stage with her father's deathbed - we then go a bit further back in time as from underneath this bed a short while after we see emerge a young John Dee as the older Dee and his daughter leave the stage.

The young Dee (Rebecca Sutherland) hungry for knowledge

Books, the theme now is books as we start to now move forward in time as the young Dee is surrounded by books of ever-increasing size as he grows up - the books take on almost the style of Elizabethan ruff collars and to my mind are portraying the young Dee thirst for knowledge and learning, moving forward through time now we see Dee was growing up with, through his father's association, close links to the court of Queen Elizabeth. The books increase in size as Dee grows older, actors, one at each end rush across the stage with the very largest man-size books, all the time Dee is ensconced in reading and learning, oh yes we see John Dee is very hungry for knowledge.

Now at the court Dee he is consulted by the Queen's secretary, Walsingham to discern a fitting and auspicious date for the Queen's coronation, consulting the stars a date is set and Dee also finds himself a wife, Jane. Into his life also comes the mysterious Kelley (a countertenor, woweeee, I've been developing a thing for coutertenors these last few months!).

A fabulous part of the visuals for this production are the video projections we see, as pictured here below - characters and symbols display on screen - when depicting the strange project Dee and Kelley set themselves to discover the language of angels, Enochian, consorting with both angels and maybe demons too in their somewhat dubious quest -  charlatans I would dub the both of them, or Dee duped by Kelley - eh - which? Must do more reading/investigating of Dee's life, appetite well and truly whetted by this venture.  This wonderful opera - yes I found it rather wonderful, or wondrous even, magical, mystical - is a great way to tell a story of a fascinating character in our history, here is Damon Albarn saying, hey take a look at this guy, setting it to music-wonderful range of musical styles - and song, the singing of the characters and Damon Albarn himself as he sets the scene of England at the time and narrates the story as we go, combined with the previously mentioned video projections all combine to create an immensely moving portrayal of John Dee.

Video display for the scene in which Dee and Kelley attempt to discover the language of angels

Duped he must have been to some degree by Kelley as he convinces Dee that an angel has told him he must be allowed to share Dee's wife - mega duped I would say! From rising star at the court we share in many of the highs and lows of Dee's life as he becomes ostracised by the mighty and powerful of the day we return to where we found him at the start, dying, as the veranda lowers back to the stage and Damon Albarn steps onto the stage at Dee's death.



I enjoyed this immensely for what was produced, a delightful production - no sense in stopping to linger on what it could or should have been, I was thoroughly entertained and entranced by what I saw and am now hoping that further opportunities to re-visit this will present themselves in the future, I would definitely go see it again but with the busy butterfly-like life Damon Albarn leads I think he will perhaps wish to move on from Dee and it would not be the same without him, although I do hope that he will make a return to the world of opera at some point in the future and am sure he will have something else just as fascinating for us.

Anthony Roth Costanzo : Operalia 2012 : Beijing

10th June 2012 - Opera

Anthony Roth Costanzo - First Prize Men's Operalia

Congratulations Anthony Roth Costanzo

Just wanted to record (OK jump up and down with excitement) the news from Beijing that American countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo is a winner in the men's competition. I was delighted to hear that he had reached the finals having seen him earlier this year for the first time in The Metropolitan Opera's The Enchanted Island Live in HD (reviewed here http://annez-reflectionz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/enchanted-island-met-opera-live-in-hd.html  ) broadcast, singing the part of Ferdinand. I was at the time developing a real "thing" for the countertenor voice - am now a fully-fledged countertenor fan - so am truly over the moon now to see a countertenor walking away with first prize at this competition. Anthony shares the award with Mongolian baritone Amartuvshin, each gaining the same number of points from the judges. American tenor Brian Jagde also put in a very impressive performance as did Chinese baritone Yunpeng Wang and both shared second place in the men's competition.

Video clip showing Anthony singing "Stille amare" from Handel's opera Tolomeo in the competition final - no wonder the judges could not resist him!

I would also like to give a shout to American soprano Janai Brugger took first place the ladies part in this competition, well-deserved, I loved her performance.

BBC Young Musician of The Year 2012 Winner

Laura van der Heijden

A huge oversight on my part must now be rectified if only in a small way before the opportunity slips away completely .... it was only last month wasn't it.

Am hugely indebted to the winner of this competition, Laura van der Heijden, who was a well-deserved winner. I am no musician, nor am I hugely knowledgable on the subject of classical music but simply someone who is in the very early stages of gaining an appreciation for this music form having listened to rock and pop all of my life. It is thanks to Laura and her passion for the piece she performed, Walton's Cello Concerto that has brought this lovely piece of music to my notice and I have to add that I simply adored watching her performance, she was beautifully poised and to me it sounded wonderful, though of course I am in no way qualified to comment on her technical ability although I am sure she now has an amazing career ahead of her.

Laura playing Walton's Cello Concerto in the final. Enjoy!

La Boheme : Royal Opera House

TUESDAY 8TH MAY 2012

 

My very first live La Boheme - YES!!! At last, it seems like forever I have been awaiting this opportunity and I can confirm that on this occasion it seems the Opera gods have conspired to fulfil my dreams for a beautiful experience as I follow the tweets on twitter and the posts/pictures on Facebook from Royal Opera House and La Boheme stars Joseph Calleja and Carmen Giannattasio during rehearsals it appears as if something magical and spellbinding it about to emerge, the obvious mutual respect, admiration and cameraderie of singers taking part and director John Copley, that I have witnessed in the build-up fills me with delight. What a glorious team!

The build-up has been agonizing as I am getting so excited, but seriously lovely to follow and my excitement has almost reached fever pitch as I head off to London for my chance to see this beautiful Puccini opera played out at The Royal Opera House. As I take my seat in the Amphitheatre the place seems to be buzzing with excited chatter.




Act I begins and we find the four young men trying to keep warm whilst trying to avoid the pressure from the landlord to produce the rent money, some lovely humour and general camaraderie with lovely genuinely nice vibes of singers obviously very comfortable with each other. All in good voice but I sit there stunned on hearing Joseph Calleja - our Rodolfo - sing live for the very first time. Having seen a couple of operas on TV in which he appeared I must confess I was not prepared for what I now heard - what an amazing voice! So rich, so warm, so, so beautiful, it filled the Opera House and could easily have filled a theatre twice the size, seemingly with little effort it was my best experience thus far of a live in-house opera  for this voice alone-Joseph, I am in awe. Am also incredibly impressed with our Marcello/Fabio Capitanucci, always thrilled to see genuinely great singers whose live performance is new to me. As we move on and his Mimi (the lovely Carmen Giannattasio) appears - an extinguished candle, a lost key -  I am truly transported to Opera heaven as I witness the very special chemistry between them and have to add that I just adore Carmen's beautiful soprano voice - definitely my kind of soprano, soft-sounding but at the same time rich and full-voiced, adoring her voice which fully reaches me up in the amphitheatre.

As each delivers their Act I arias, Che Gelida Manina/Rodolfo and Si, mia chiamano Mimi/Mimi, I cannot imagine a more fabulous pairing, my heartstrings feel a massive tug as Rodolfo, in the duet 'O soave fanciulla', sings "In you I see the dream I want to dream forever" - gulp - what girl could resist - it is a breathtakingly beautiful through to the end of the scene and I cannot suppress the tears that prick my eyes as the incredible music fades and the curtain falls I almost have to pinch myself to convince myself I am not dreaming. Our pair have met, introduced themselves and fallen in love and my breath has been well and truly taken away already, WOW!

Must just mention how touching it was during Act II as everything goes on around them, including Musetta's famous aria, how our Mimi and Rodolfo maintain their fond caresses and tender, loving looks with each other, think I may have said it before but it is truly magical. OK, so I confess now this is not my most favourite Act in this opera - bit too crowded, so shall swiftly move on.

Skipping on a pace as I fear I must to Act III we find Mimi seeking out Rodolfo and Marcello listens in turn to first Mimi who tells him of Rodolfo deserting her the night before and then as Mimi seemingly departs a fearful Rofolfo, who has realised his beloved Mimi is very ill and probably dying, confesses to Marcello that he is distraught at this and the prospect of losing her, and even more so as he sees that Mimi is still around and has heard his confession to Marcello. The next part moved me the most in the whole opera, as the snow falls and Mimi and Rodolfo sing of their lost love being too strong for them to part straight away, they must wait until the springtime, for the blossom to appear on the trees  - again this is so moving and so beautiful, the combination of again the beautiful singing and chemistry between Joseph and Carmen, the mesmerising duet, the very moving words and incredible music of Puccini combine to produce such an emotion-filled scene which at the close I know I am not alone as the tears fall. Gulp, this is incredible, more that I could ever have dreamed of and we are not done yet. How lucky am I!

Act IV, the sad finale as Musetta arrives in the bohemians garret with the news she has found Mimi, now very sick, on the street and has brought her to the garret. The air of sadness is almost overwhelming as Marcello and Musetta leave to sell Musetta's earrings to buy medicine for Mimi and find a doctor,  but then I cannot help but smile some and yet be incredibly moved as Colline/Yuri Vorobiev sings a beautiful aria, beautifully 'Vecchia zimara' (Old coat), to his favourite coat he intends to part with and will miss, hoping to get money in which to help Mimi, as he leaves he bids Schaunard/Thomas Oliemans to leave also in order to give Mimi and Rodolfo time on their own. The beautfiul duet, Sonno andati (Have they gone) in which the pair lovingly recall their first meeting - the candle, the lost key - it is achingly beautiful, again Joseph and Carmen's voices mingle amidst more of their tender chemistry. All too soon the others return, Musetta with a muff for Mimi's hands but the tragic conclusion plays out with Mimi falling into unconsciousness and dying as a stricken Rodolfo cries out in anguish.

So many different ingredients combine in this beautiful John Copley production, the music, the singers, the acting a very special pinch of magic, I just felt that all these elements and the cast themselves all pulling in one direction for the ultimate goal of perfection which was undoubtedly achieved-this experience will remain in my memory and my heart forever, I feel very privileged to have witnessed something so very special, so magical; I wanted my first live Boheme to be something dreamy and magical and this was it and some, not a grain of fairy dust was needed as every single ingredient that went into the mix produced more than enough magic to keep me spellbound long, long after the music finished and the lights dimmed I can't imagine there will be anything now to take it's place on this stage and in my heart...... sigh ...


footnote: as always with my visits to the opera I have yet more fabulous singers to add to the ever-growing list of artistes I love and wish to follow, so much wonderful talent out there

Joyce DiDonato - Yankeediva!

27th APRIL 2012 UPDATE

(originally published December 2011)

Joyce is currently appearing in Maria Stuarda at Houston Grand Opera in the title role, HGO have released a couple of stunning videos of her performance I have posted them below

By the way, Joyce is performing in this role at The Metropolitan Opera in New York at the beginning of 2013 - this will also be broadcast in cinemas around the world in HD and I can't wait to see it!

 

 

Overexuburance, hahaha, just have to add this exciting news -

Joyce's album Diva/Diva has been nominated today for a Grammy as has the

album of Vivaldi's Ercole on which she features!!!!

***LATEST***

JOYCE GOT HER GRAMMY FOR HER DIVA/DIVO ALBUM AND WALKED STRAIGHT INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS BY BECOMING THE FIRST CLASSICAL STAR TO PERFORM AT THE GRAMMYS

Here is her amazing performance at the Grammys

and then, gulp .... Joyce receiving her award and acceptance speech .... WOW!!!

The multi-faceted jewel that is Joyce DiDonato! Mezzo-soprano extraordinaire she never ceases to amaze me with the incredible beauty she emits with her singing, her amazing voice control, she simply has me in raptures watching and listening to her perform.

I first came across Joyce in the glorious, hilarious Met Live in HD production of Rossini's Le Comte Ory singing alongside the equally stunning Diana Damrau and Juan Diego Florez, such an enjoyable romp with fabulous singing and acting from all three stars, was in fact my first viewing of a mezzo in a trouser role, Joyce made an utterly gorgeous boy, lol!!!!

Just had to get some more of that voice, a little after that she released her Diva/Divo album which is wonderful, just had to have that as it includes her male and female roles, what a great mix! I'll let Joyce herself explain more and give a taste of this stunning album

Joyce being interviewed on BBC Breakfast just prior to the opening of the magical Massenet's Cendrillon at Royal Opera House in July this year

Only my second visit ever to The Royal Opera House and it's to see Joyce in Cendrillon - wooooohooooo - excited or what!!!! I was not disappointed, she looked and sounded magnificent, even though she had been suffering from some nasty bugs during her run in this production, I just sat open-mouthed all through, pure joy from start to finish and just adored her singing alongside that of Alice Coote, two mezzos singing together, just beautiful, I found their love duet just incredible. Go for it Joyce and Alice!!

amongst the rooftops of Paris Cendrillon and her Prince Charming sing a beautiful duet, even though they can't actually  "see" each other most of the time - aaaahhhh blissful stuff!!!!

Now just Joyce on her own, near the beginning of the opera

Not only was Cendrillon live in the opera house the night I went to see it, it was also being transmitted live to BP Big Screens in Trafalgar Square and other city venues around the country - what a fabulous treat!!

I just have to add this link to a lovely article featured in Opera News December 2011 about Joyce, very in-depth interview and the fabulous Joyce graces the cover
http://www.operanews.com/Opera_News_Magazine/2011/12/Features/The_Sweet_Voice_of_Reason.html

and there's lots more of her inside in the article entitled The Sweet Voice of Reason -
Joyce DiDonato — probably the most in-demand lyric-coloratura mezzo in the world — has become a star by playing up, not down, to her audiences. She tells BRIAN KELLOW how proud she is of opera — and how proud she is to be an opera singer.




     

Going back just a little, although I wasn't into opera when this production of Don  Giovanni was made I was lucky enough to catch it on TV, it has an amazing cast, including Joyce DiDonato as Donna Elvira with baritone Simon Kennlyside as Don Giovanni (why are there so many lovely baritones around-I adore Simon) and I loved Kyle Ketelson as Leporello - but hey this is about Joyce and here she is

David Hockney : A Bigger Picture : Royal Academy of Art

23rd March 2012
(Exhibition continues until 9th April 2012)
No words can do full justice to the beautiful collection on  display here, it's not quite all about trees, but can safely say trees do dominate in the incredible landscapes/big pictures on offer - and I love that in the main it's the landscape that fills these big pictures and not oceans of sky, along with glorious, glorious mouthwatering use of colour, no reproduction, not even the fantastic book that accompanies the exhibition can really show just how great the pictures are - you must see it for yourself, I do hope that for those in other countries that this show will tour different parts of the world.

This Channel Four interview video gives a nice taste of the show - the fabulous still of the vid is of the iPad drawings of spring, fifty-one in all - it's an amazing room to be in and one that is hard to leave, very hard

The range of  media is phenomenal, from his photo collages of the eighties right through to his recent iPad drawings (my favourite room) and even film.

OK, as I already mentioned, words are really not enough, so will try to steal as many photos as I can to give a true feel of this stunning show, I list all the rooms/themes and guide you around giving a taste of my most favourite (in bold print) of the 13 rooms.

Thixendale Trees

This room contains both very large oil paintings, made up of a collection of canvases for each plus some of the sketches that went into the construction of these beautiful paintings of a stand of magnificent trees through the seasons - truly breathtaking

Earlier Lanscapes

First Yorkshire Landscapes

Watercolours and First Paintings From Observation

Tunnels



Woldgate Woods

More stunning trees, more fabulous big pictures and more stunning use of colour

Hawthorn Blossom

Deeeeeeeeeeeeelightful, what a fantastic subject - well for me anyway - I love hawthorn trees

Trees and Totems

The Arrival of Spring

My favourite room, although I think it may have to be joint favourite with Hawthorn Blossom - one painting and 51 iPad prints. This is a very large room and the walls are just filled with glorious colours depicting the arrival of spring, from January through to May we see the changes of season from winter through to spring on one small road in Woldgate, East Yorkshire, the changing hues in this beautifully presented .... well, it's just like a slideshow as you stand back and gaze around the room - this is just one of those incredible images

 the whole room presented like this small corner

and the opposite corner ...... awesome eh? do you wonder I could hardly tear myself away from this incredible scene

 and at the other end of the room, filling the wall is this painting made up of 32 different canvases

Sermon on the Mount

Film Work

Sketchbooks and iPads

Recent Work
 
Stunning iPad works feature in this room, mainly of Yosemite National Park. Almost floor to ceiling, they are breathtaking but sadly cannot find any photos of these.





The living, breathing English landscape, what a joyous experience to share in Hockney's beloved Yorkshire and beyond and marvel at, and to get to hug, well almost, the trees he so obviously adores.

So many people got to enjoy this, as I write many more are still enjoying this wonderful exhibition, sadly soon to close - but I must admit to being ecstatic at finding this exhibition is so popular. As usual I had to buy the book - paperback version (hardback also available, on Amazon too) - which is also stunning and a worthwhile investment if I may say so - it's packed with info and of course all the pictures which makes it an incredible heavy book but that will not deter me from picking it up ... frequently!!!

Introducing ...... Tenor Noah Stewart

First posted 21.12.2011 - updated and re-posted 1st April 2012 with new vids/info bottom of page

Looks fabulous doesn't he. This is exciting young American tenor Noah Stewart, I can't claim to know an awful lot about what he's been up to in his career so far - have just been following him on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/noahstewartmusic?ref=ts these last few months, he's been over here singing and recording in the UK performing with Opera North - appearing in their production of Madama Butterfly as Pinkerton no less (wish I could have seen that, bet he was incredible). Well Noah has been a real busy guy during his time over here, can hardly keep up with that he's been up to. Do ya wanna hear what he sounds like .... yep so do I

Well I dunno about you but that sounds a bit of all right to me - what am I talking about, that sounds more than a bit of alright, sounds fabulous -  think this new young tenor is a very exciting prospect. Ah yes, about that recording he's been doing, there's an album Noah by Noah coming out in February 2012 (update: album release date now revised to March 26th) and Noah will be returning to UK in 2012 I understand he is to appear in The Royal Opera House's new production Miss Fortune by Judith Weir in March, am very much hoping to go.

Noah Stewart's album Noah, due out in February 2012

Wanna hear a bit more of Noah, here he is singing The Star Spangled Banner at the start of the NFL at Wembley

And here's a bit more ....

Sounds fabulous doesn't he, I will be watching with interest as Noah's career develops, think we have another amazing tenor in the making here, sure there's so much more to learn about Noah Stewart so I guess the best place to go is the About section on his web page http://www.noahstewart.com/About.html

24th February 2012

Noah is well into rehearsals now for Miss Fortune by Judith Weir at Royal Opera House which opens on 12th March and here is a recent interview with him, he plays Hassan who owns a kebab stand, this should be an exciting new production

and catch up with his latest blog entry here-back in London and week, find out what he's up to
http://www.noahofficial.com/news/blog-week-one-in-london


With Noah's album Noah just released last week, here is his appearance on release day on QVC - stunning stunning stunning performance!!!!


Noah performing Without A Song from the album Noah -  WOW!!!

and now performing Hallelujah, what an incredible voice, awesome performance

well, based on that who can possibly resist the album currently riding high in the UK classic album charts. Congratulations Noah!!!!

Just have to add I was so so lucky, on 23rd March got to see him perform at Royal Opera House - his debut there in the opera Miss Fortune - you will not be surprised to hear he put in a fabulous performance as Hassan, just can't wait to see him back on that stage in future roles - he was made for that stage and other highly rated stages around the world. Mouthwateringly great, eagerly await more! Bravo!

Noah's web page is here http://www.noahstewart.com/Intro.html