Two Sundays ago, in the Basilica of St. Alexander and Theodore of Ottobeuren (Germany), Sir Simon Rattle managed to finish Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, Oratorium für Soli, Chor und Orchester, op. 38, a few seconds before the church bells started.

Testing a big file (Takuya Nakamura - DJ Set - Elevator Music)

The trailer for Wagner's "Die Walküre", which had its premiere a few days ago, from Bayerische Staatsoper (Munich).

C'est aujourd'hui?

It's quite nice this initiative from Arena Di Verona to explain Opera for beginners. This time, Verdi's "La Traviata".

I've been a bit erratic lately, but I happen to listen to anything other than "conventional" classical music. The last days of school for the little one, combined with the latest heatwave, don't help either, so maybe I should take a small break. Until then, the Dave Brubeck Quartet with their "Koto Song". (1964, Belgium) From the album "Jazz Impressions of Japan" Dave Brubeck, Piano Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone Joe Morello, Drums Eugene Wright, Bass

I found this short interview with Wolfgang Schrödl from Liquido telling the story behind "Narcotic", and I found it amusing enough to share it. Liquido is a band from the 90s that had a single song, tho for me it was absolutely amazing. (I added the song too.)

What would probably be considered unacceptable today, in 1991 Plácido Domingo played as Otello.

In my perception, Cecilia Bartoli is one of the most underrated opera singers. Let's fix this by starting the day listening to her singing Händel's "Lascia la Spina".

I can argue that this week will have a great start if we listen to Langston Hughes II, who brings some Jazz spirit to The Beatles' "Yesterday".

It's impossible not to smile while imagining Shakespeare in a parallel universe watching Kurosawa's interpretation of Macbeth in "Throne of Blood". Fun fact: In the archers' scene (@ 3:33), there were real archers shooting arrows. Clearly, very good archers, but that's dedication nonetheless.