Amy, 24, Melbourne, web designer, piano student, Slytherin, nostalgia (and chocolate) addict, and languisher in all things baroque, rococo, and Tolkien.
- There is no way I could miss Cecilia Bartoli coming to my own city in a few weeks. There are hardly any tickets left now so BOOK NOW if you want to see her (I only bought one ticket – even the C-reserve seating is very expensive and there are no pensioner discounts). Though Bartoli isn’t to everyone’s taste, especially after concentrating less on the lieder for coloratura (where some of her beautiful sound is often sacrificed with the speed of those passages), this absolute diva and “force of nature” certainly won my heart. She’s never toured in Australia (and who knows if she will again), so for me this will be a night to remember.
- Today was quite busy with the first piano lesson of the year and many other errands, but once home I enjoyed more of Attenborough’s Life, and got on with more picnic planning. Funds will need to be managed carefully for me to arrange it well, and also to get to Hubwarts! Yes, Melbourne’s getting it’s very own Harry Potter convention soon! Only James and Oliver Phelps have been announced as guests so far, so I’m hanging out for more info. and will probably only get a day ticket this time, after being rather unimpressed with what a $450 ticket covered at a previous Hub convention. Staff were pretty good, though, and they manage the privacy issues (and potential for fangirl craziness) rather well.
- I’m enjoying Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies for the DS of late – it’s a role-playing adventure, the latest in the series, and at first looks the same as a lot of other Japanese games, but the story is absorbing and the graphics make good use of the console. I’d been getting my cute on with Cooking Mama 3 but this game quickly distracted me from it.
Good night!
Yesterday we found a Baroque-style dining setting for sale online. We asked if it had been sold yet and were told it was still available, so after a few hours debating our budget and our need vs. want for it, we agreed to buy it! The seller’s mother had bought the furniture new a few decades ago and it had been cared for immaculately; I assured them it was going to a very good home. The price was fantastic and it was in perfect condition (not a scratch or dent to be seen, very smooth surface on the table, hardwood, chairs perfect and no re-upholstering needed) so Adam and I went halves and picked it up today. It looks extravagant but we could’ve easily paid a lot more for something new or modern (which is not our preference) – I’m convinced that since everything went so smoothly that it was just the right decision. We’re very pleased and it’s satisfying and encouraging to be able to slowly collect furnishings and household goods for when we can eventually have somewhere to really call our own. We’re far from rich, but we manage what we make well enough and set our sights on quality bargains (furniture, appliances, clothing, shoes, etc.) that will last us a long time. It has also been really helpful budget-wise to plan meals a few days ahead and not make so many grocery trips. Nutrition is a real priority for us these days, as is a bit of forward-thinking (with a very healthy dose of spontaneity in my case).
Also on my wishlist of wonderful things are the following DVDs, specifically for the voluptuous and handsome Yvonne Kenny. I would love to see her on stage again once or twice more, I adore her coloratura and warm voice.
Back on December 9 (where I posted a stack of things in the early hours) Adam and I went to see the 2010 Opera Australia season’s Le Nozze di Figaro. I really had no complaints. The sets were in that place between grungy minimalist and historically-inspired(with occasional modern-day touches), so our imaginations could keep active but not be too strained. The singing was tiptop, orchestra delightful, and everybody was very endearing in their roles. Kanen Breen as Basilio was a show-stealer as usual with his long legs and dandy appeal. I chugged down a fairly poor glass of chardonnay at intermission, spilling it all over myself (perhaps in subconscious protest). As always, the weaving together of the whole plot to the magnificent happy ending helped us leave on a very satisfied note.
I got some other lovely and generous presents that day, including Harry Potter Film Wizardry, The Music of the Lord of the Rings, and an old sewing table. I am still considering having a late Rococo tea party / picnic (again) but can’t decide on a location which would be both comfortable, and easy for all to get to. There are no shortage of lovely locations to choose from, but the easiest places for those who don’t drive aren’t particularly secluded. However, at this point Como House is the best candidate for a beautifully appropriate location! Entry is very reasonably priced, and the event would be open to all (18th & 19th-century buffs, Steampunks, lolitas, and of course all elegant ladies and dashing gentlemen), provided I had a rough idea of numbers. There is a cafe there but everyone would be encouraged to bring their own theme-appropriate eats and drinks.
- It’s been a lazy kind of week, the weather’s getting wonderfully pleasant, and Adam is spending hours outside writing and absorbing vitamin D. The sun shines one day and then lovely spring rains pour the next and my little vegetable garden loves it! Snails ate all my corn and nibbled on a few other things but they’ve all been slaughtered and driven away now. The broccoli and cos are thriving which is heartening because I don’t think I’ve ever gardened from scratch at all in recent memory. Mother used to keep a lot of orchids and a few enormous veggie gardens, my grandfather had a ‘fern house’ and my adopted grandfather kept lots of lovely roses, but I’ve never appreciated these growing things so much as now, while we’re tending to them ourselves. Sunlight and warm, rich soil are helping all those tiny cells become an edible plant, all from a tiny seed.
- I’ve been lounging around in these excellent ‘harem pants’ from my sister’s work, which make me feel happy. We won a near-new elliptical cross trainer on eBay the other night for $20 so now there’s even less excuse not to exercise, and why not in these happy pants?
- Adam and I booked tickets to Le Nozzi de Figaro a few days ago which is my birthday present — we booked for a performance on my actual birthday and got cheapie box seats (there’s something exciting about being in the boxes, especially the occasions where you have it all to yourself). That pretty Taryn Fiebig was singing in Sydney but apparently not in Melbourne, and lately these Opera Australia performances seem to be a bit hit and miss among the old opera snobs, so I hope it’s a grand night! We will have to frock up accordingly.
- Announced earlier today was the passing of Dame Joan Sutherland, a queen in my books. I hope there’s a bit of a renaissance of truly great sopranos someday soon, too. ‘Inspiration’ was apparently the word of the day. I’m ready for bed now so this bit doesn’t sound very interesting. I’ll probably have a few pretty things to post about tomorrow instead. I now give you a very exciting Bellini:
Sister Blog
Juliette at Classical Doll