What happens in December?

Well, first I will have a trip to the hospital to talk with a surgeon about a probable operation. (December 1)

How have I prepared myself to this "ordeal": well, I have put more Carreras CDs on my IPOD.

I have project going on: trying to listen to all my not listened to previously on my IPOD. 600 songs to go.

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com

First impressions of Juanjo Cura in Berlin

It was cold in Berlin. And it was even a bit cold in Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie Berlin. It is a special concert room with a small plattform in the middle, just the right size for a small group of people with instruments. For 5 people, it was perfect.

Juanjo Cura seems to have more than just Argentinians on his side as fans of him and of tango, it was quite a lot of Germans there too. The concert hall was not full  but it seemed to be more more than half full. I sat in the front row, in the best seat of the room. I bought my 3rd Juanjo Cura CD there, Pasional. He talked in German during the concert and we had no program, all our information was from Juanjo himself in his German. Since I am not German myself but understand German and speak a little myself I still had a little problem since his German was good but it was an Argentinian speaking German... But it was still very impressive to do that.

My other disadvantage is my not knowing too much about Argentinian Tango. For so many there they knew the music already and loved it already. I am more of the classical person. Juanjo Cura is more approaching the music like a Jazz singer would, being very free with the notes. But Juanjo Cura's voice is a true tenor voice. Personally I will always regret that he did not choose the more classical path but Juanjo seem to enjoy more the explosive passion of the tango. And he really acts it out. Nobody can say that he just sings because he doesn't just sing he is every tango and song he sings. But sadly it reminds me of why I "hate" Jazz and LOVE Classical music. I will always love more the correct attack to the notes that are the Classical way and dislike most of the loose attack that is Jazz. But I don't regret using my money to go to Berlin just for this concert. I don't regret that at all. I loved his singing "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" from Lehar's Das Land des Lächelns. His singing My Way in German. And some of the tangos/boleros/songs that he sang as nicely as he does on his CD's.

2008-11-22 Juanjo Cura in Concert, Philharmonie Berlin

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com

Home again after Berlin trip to see Juanjo Cura

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com

I am going to Berlin to see Juanjo Cura

2008-11-22 Juanjo Cura, Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie (Berlin)

Juanjo Cura, tenor
Javier Tucat Moreno, Klavier
Malys Im, Kontrabass
Guillermo Destaillats, Bandoneon

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com

Analyze That: LE CID by Jules Massenet

 

I saw LE CID in Opernhaus Zurich this year (2008-02-03) 

Only the tenor's aria: O souverain, O juge, O pere; and the soprano's, Chimene's aria: Pleurez mes yeux; is reallyy known.

Music aside, read in Wikipedia: LE CID (opera) 

Wikipedia says: Le Cid is a tragicomedy written by Pierre Corneille and published in 1636. It is based on the legend of El Cid.

On EL CID (also Wikipedia)

Rodrigo (or Ruy) Díaz de Vivar (c. 1040, Vivar, near Burgos – July 10, 1099, Valencia), known as El Cid Campeador, was a Castilian nobleman, a gifted military leader and diplomat who, after being exiled, conquered and governed the city of Valencia. Rodrigo Díaz II was educated in the royal court of Castile and became the alférez, or chief general, of Alfonso VI, and his most valuable asset in the fight against the Moors.
The nickname "El Cid" comes from the Spanish article "El", which means "The" and the dialectal Arab word سيد "sïdi" or sayyid, which means "Lord". So "El Cid" could be translated as "The Lord". The title "Campeador" is a vulgar Latin word that could be translated as "master of military arts". He is considered the national hero of Spain.

--- Maybe I will analyze LE CID myself, really, one time later and not just rip of from Wikipedia.---

Or maybe I have some readers that will do me the honor of commenting their analysis...

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com

November woes, but the concert with JJ Cura is still safe.

News for me: after my Berlin weekend, directly to Xray on November 24th. Well, I do get to sleep in my bed Sunday to Monday. So in 2 weeks there are both fantastic oppurtunity to see Juanjo Cura live in Berlin on Saturday 22, going home on Sunday 23rd, and then Xray and I read the preparation sheet and am not looking forward to that Monday. But if the Saturday concert is what I hope for, then maybe Monday won't be too bad. But the reading made me think pain and tears is ahead. But before that Monday it will be Monday 17th a happy travel to the hospital to my Remicade treatment.

But, but, but, I still have to get through this week. IPOD filled with opera, help me. Unfortunately I cannot work and listen to my IPOD. But still I try to gear myself up with very happy JJ thoughts. Juanjo Cura = Juan José Cura = JJ Cura. I will really be ANGRY if I get too sick for my concert. The November concert is only my no 13 operaduets event this year. I hope 13 is LUCKY number this time.

2008 : 13 events if JJ Cura happens
2007 : 21 events
2006 : 21
2005 : 27
2004 : 24
2003 : 20
2002 : 25
2001 : 13
2000 : 17
Numbers from: www.operaduetstravel.com

Look at the numbers, it is saying that 2008 is not a GREAT year for OperaDuets

For more reviews from my travels, see www.operaduetstravel.com