Last night’s opera was “Akhnaten,” the third in Philip Glass’s “Portrait Trilogy. In his case, it seems to be the first one – “Einstein on the Beach” – which doesn’t get heard and I don’t know why not. Anyway. Akhnaten was the Pharaoh who tried to eradicate polytheism in favor of monotheism of the sun god, Aten. It did not go well. The role is written for a counter tenor (God’s gift to composers who want to write for characters who are in some way androgynous – and also to revivals of Baroque and early Classical opera filled with “trouser roles.” This one is Anthony Roth Costanzo who comes across as avery sweet person, and those who know him confirm that. He had thyroid surgery, and had to grapple with the possibility of not being able to sing any more – and came to peace with the thought that as long as he could do something to make people happy, that would be acceptable. (Fortunately he is still singing – including at Santa Fe this summer in a world premier.) The libretto of Akhnaten is in ancient languages when possible and random syllables when not, with the exception of the “Hymn to the Sun,” which is to be sung in the primary local language wherever it it performed. Here’s an analysis of why (in case anyone cares.) Akhnaten is the last “American Composer” opera. Next week is Strauss week (Richard, not Johann, sorry) and there’s only one – well, maybe two – I’ll want to see so I’ll try to be more on top of things.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
The New Yorker – Marjorie Taylor Greene Reports Sightings of Jewish Space Lasers Across U.S.
Quote – Greene said that the “increased Jewish-space-laser activity” was a matter of deep concern, although she was not certain of the lasers’ purpose. “You’ll have to ask the Rothschilds that,” she said. “But it can’t be anything good.”
Click through for details and photo.
Axios – Biden launches effort to bring back deported veterans (about GD time)
Quote – “The Department of Homeland Security recognizes the profound commitment and sacrifice that service members and their families have made to the United States of America,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement Friday.
Click through for a little more.
Washington Examiner – White supremacist marchers ‘ran away’ from Philly residents, police say
Quote – “They started engaging with citizens of Philadelphia, who were none too happy about what they were saying. These males felt threatened, and at one point, somebody threw a smoke bomb to cover their retreat, and they literally ran away from the people of Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Police Officer Michael Crum told reporters.
Click through for story.
Food for Thought
Bonus video – Lona suggested this on the 3rd, and between my internet going in and out and some other things, I didn’t get it up then. So here it is now.
17 Responses to “Open Thread for July 5, 2021”
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Cartoon: Of course! they did!!
NYer: LOL, Andy. You get better and better.
Axios: PTL,….They certainly deserve better treatment. What wonderful news about our Veterans and their families coming home!
WE: Great action for Philly! Yep…protestors running away, (because they “can’t handle the truth!” from ‘A Few Good Men’ Jack Nicholson)
FFT: Yep!
Bonus Video: LOVE, love this song! Thanks, Lona .
Thank you, Joanne for your post.
Company is still sleeping in…I’ve enjoyed my time with them.
Thank you, Joanne.
This just in: “Help us mark our Independence from this virus—get vaccinated.” ~ President Joe Biden ~
2. “-850k jobs created in June. -3 million jobs created since @POTUS and I took office—more than any administration in its first 5 months. Our economic plan is working.” ~ Vice President Kamala Harris ~
3. “VP Kamala Harris should tweet out again to enjoy the long weekend just to cause MAGA and Fox News to suffer another aneurysm. ~ George Takei ~
4. “Since Maxine Waters is trending, I would just like to say that she is an American badass.” ~ David Weissman ~
5. “San Antonio is an example to the Nation. Under Mayor @Ron_Nirenberg, the city stepped up to @POTUS’s challenge to get 70% vaccination rate by the #Fourth of July.” ~ San Antonians didn’t just meet the goal – they exceeded it.” ~ Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas ~
TJI #2 – Democrats never initiate recessions – though they may inherit them and clean them up. But because of the time lag between inaugurations and results, people with short attention spans often can’t see that.
TJI #3 – Ya think?
TJI #4 – I would have said “National Treasure.” But “American Badass” certainly works nicely.
TJI #5 – Good for San Antonio.
TJI#1: Yes, fools, go do the socially, ethically, proper thing.
TJI#2: Harris rocks!
TJI#3: I do like George.
TJI#4: Waters rocks, too!
TJI#5: In some parts of Texas people seem to have no idea that they are part of a larger whole, even within its own borders,and some parts of Texas has smarts.
Happy to hear that you’re enjoying your time with them, Pat.
TJI#1: Wish the ones who haven’t been vaccinated would take it seriously with the one variant out there now.
TJI#2: They’re turning things around. Keep up the great work President Biden/V.P. Harris.
TJI#3: Yes. They deserve one too.
TJI#4: She’s definitely rocking.
TJI#5: Way to go San Antonio. Wish their success would spread to other states.
I have to say, belatedly, that Audra McDonald has a phenomenally great voice. Even my grandparents, who had season tickets to the Met, would thrill to her sound!
‘Toon: Of course, they did!
New Yorker: I have to admit that I’d not noticed that this came from the NY’er, and Andy, until I clicked through. Because MTG is so fully capable of pronouncing exactly such ridiculous blather. And, because my mind is still racing, after having just composed, and printed, an angry jeremiad to “Chuck” Schumer, about the apparently approaching failure to get shit done!
Axios: Wonderful!
Be back later.
Agreed on Audra MacDonald. And the same can be said of Patti LuPone, who has done more operas than Mahagonny (well Audra has too.) Patti has, besides Begbick, played the Old Woman in Candide and also Samira in The Ghosts of Versailles, a role originated by Marilyn Horne. Horne waspresent at the premier (it was LA Opera) and approved (Patti was horribly nervous, but then relieved.)
Audra originated the role of Sharon in Terrence McNally’s “Master Class” about Maia Callas, and LuPonehas plaiyed Callas opposite her, having replaced Zoe Caldwell in the first run. Audra won a Tony for it as did Zoe -Patti came to it too late to be considered, but she has plenty of Tonys.
I always had an issue with LuPone, experiencing her as screaming. Maria Callas was extraordinary! Her personal reputation as MS. DIVA got in the way, I think.
You probably are hearing the “Broadway Belt.” It’s true that doesn’t work for opera. But there are singers who can do both.
Back from the gym, lunch, and back from clearing our patio and front yard, in expectation of Elsa.
WE: “Reclaim America” my ass! When Monty Python did “Run away! Run Away!” at least it was funny.
FFT: And paid Unemployment Benefits.
Imagine: A tear jerker. A lovely tearjerker. Beautiful!
I hope that Elsa is kind to you.
Prayers your way, Mitch. Hope Elsa doesn’t cause major chaos there.
Cartoon: As*holes….bragging about what they’ve blocked.
TNY: All she speaks is garbage. Get her out.
Axios: Great news. They deserve so much for all they’ve done.
WE: Glad to hear that they’re getting what they deserve…booted out.
Food for Thought: So true.
Bonus Video: Always loved the song by John. Thanks Lona for suggesting it.
Hope you have a great day. Thanks Joanne
Hope your appointment tomorrow goes well, including resolving your blister or whatever it is.
Thanks Joanne. Let Carrie know that I’m praying for things go well with her visit tomorrow too.
I did do that. So you have each other covered.
Thanks Joanne
I suggested putting up /creating a cartoon on 7/4/2021 because on that date Imagine was 50 years old. Of course, it is an odd date, coinciding with too many other important messages on that day.