Open Thread August 6, 2023

Yesterday, the radio opera was Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw” (libretto by Myfanwy Piper – she was a Welsh poet and librettist), based on the novella by Henry James. I saw this opera performed when I was in college, and I had read the book, and I’ve read critical works about both, and I have no idea what happens in it. But that’s because no oe does. (Well, maybe Henry James, but he’s dead. And Britten and Piper knew what they intended, but they’re dead too.) It’s one of two things. Either a governess comes to s country home to care for a young brother and sister, where the ghostsof the previous (deceased) governess and a (recently deceased) butler have demonically possessed them. Or else, a governess comes to a country home to take care of a young brother and sister, but becomes delusional and evuntually psychotic. And part of the point is that none of the creators – not James, not Britten, not Piper – wanted anyone to know for sure which was “reality.” It’s creepier this way. Britten’s other operas include “Peter Grimes” (considered his masterpiece). “Billy Budd,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Albert Herring,” of which only Peter Grimes is at all ambiguous. And it’s not ambiguous in the same way. There’s no question about what happened – only the degree to which Grimes could have prevented the worst of it if he had done things differently. I’m not sure of that either, but there is enough information that I can understand taking a position and being comfortable with that position, either way. Turn of the Screw, not so much. Melodically, probably the most memorable part is the little song the children sing, “Malo, malo, malo, malo” which due to the peculiarities of Latin really does translate to “I would rather be in an apple tree than a naughty boy in adversity.” Of course the repetition of it doesn’t hurt in making it memorable, nor does the growing implication that i’s darker than the actual meaning would suggest. This production was recorded in Budapest in September 2022, and conducted by Ivan Fischer.  It’s scored for only 13 musicians.  Britten really demonstrates that, if you know wht you re doing, you can get a wole lot of color out of an ensemle that small.  There are six characters, and five of them are sopranos.  The other is a tenor.  Most composers will make their villains baritones, and especially if the villain is supernatural.  I find it much scarier if that character is a tenor.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Today’s Edition Newsletter – Our role in ensuring accountability.
Quote – We find ourselves in an unfair situation: To hold Trump to account for his crimes, we must defeat him politically. Embedded in that unfair proposition are two disturbing corollaries:
If Trump (or a surrogate) is elected, a Republican Attorney General will dismiss the charges against Trump; and
Republicans in Congress will accept that perversion of justice by Trump and his Attorney General as “business as usual” in the post-truth, post-democracy second Trump administration.
Click through (and click “Continue Reading”). He’s right. It isn’t fair at all. But – if you thought you could sit back and let the Special Counsel’s office work – you can’t. Actually, I’m sure no one here was intending to sit back and relax for anything longer than a short victory lap. But – if you know anyone who is – best pass this on.

NPR – Petting other people’s dogs, even briefly, can boost your health.
Quote – I started pondering the power of dogs during one of my daily strolls around my neighborhood. Almost invariably, I’ll run into at least one person walking their dog. If I get the OK to pet the pooch, it’s a joyous moment of cooing and sloppy kisses. I always walk away from these canine exchanges feeling just a bit more relaxed, and happy. And that got me wondering, could these short interactions with other people’s dogs actually be good for me?
Click through for story. Though not mentioned, I’m sure this is also true for cats – for some people, even more so. “Dog people” and “cat people” do exist (granted with a good deal of overlap.)

Food For Thought