When Bryn Terfel wimped out on the Royal Opera's Ring Cycle last year citing a family crisis, I wondered what on earth was going on.  It transpired that his teenage son had broken his finger and Mrs. Terfel demanded that her hubby put his fatherly duties before his public and contractual responsibilities ("All you people see is a singer but to me he is a husband and father!" quoth she). Had the lad been mortally ill I would have sympathized.  But a broken finger?  C'mon, dude.  That's just lame.  Since then I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop and in a sense this week it did.  Terfel announced that he plans to retire in about three years time. Not surprisingly the opera world's collective jaw dropped.  He has now backed away somewhat from the word “retirement” and has said he intends to "slow down.”  He told the BBC in an interview this week that he was concentrating on concert and other performances away from the opera stage, including sporting events.  In other words he too wishes to join the growing throng of singers who can earn much more by doing much less.  You may call it what you will but I would tag it as shamelessly selling out.  It both angers and saddens me that a man with such a glorious voice and immense talent is choosing the easy path.  Doubtless we may now look forward to hearing him sing “The Ash Grove” before a Welsh Rugby International at Cardiff Arms Park.  I'm sure it will be lovely but not quite as satisfying as settling in to experience his Wotan at the Royal Opera House.  Oh, well.

When I attend an opera performance there are usually more pressing matters to occupy my mind than the sartorial elegance or otherwise of the orchestra and conductor.  Having said that I now recall a conductor here in Portland recently who conducted his opera performances wearing a white shirt and no jacket.  I found this intrusive and annoying.  The other day I came across this article in The Independent.  It was written by one of my favorite writers and bloggers on music, Jessica Duchen.  I enjoyed the entire article but specifically found myself nodding away in approbation with Evgeny Kissin when he said that for him, putting on the white tie and tails before a performance helps create the necessary "sense of occasion.”  With pianist Jean Yves Thibaudet nothing says "occasion" like a little number by designer Vivienne Westwood while for Vanessa Mae (pictured above) nothing prepares her quite like a dip in the briny.  What ever it takes, I say.

I do not wish to tread on the controversial ground populated by lipstick-besmirched pigs so in publishing this photo of Sarah Palin socializing with cast members following a performance of Gotterdammerung at Lyric Opera of Wasilla I was soooo tempted to mix my metaphors and write of horns on helmets but I'll let that pass too.  The picture, however, is just too good to miss, ne?

Of course for all I know this was a gubernatorial cabinet meeting.

I have been accorded the rare honor of attending a rehearsal of La Traviata next week. For those of you who think this is really no big deal let me tell you that throughout my connection with Portland Opera over the last five years this is the first time I am aware of any “outsider” i.e. someone not directly concerned with the production, being allowed to watch such a rehearsal.  Performers and others are given to enjoying the benefit of rehearsing in private.  I sat with General Director Chris Mattaliano last week and told him how much I thought you would enjoy a vicarious sneak-peek at the preparations for Portland Opera's season-opening production and after much rumination - and I suspect discussion to which I was not a party, he told me I could attend on Tuesday, provided I sit at the back and remain as quiet as a mouse and blend in with the wallpaper.  Needless to say, I am thrilled.  I shall report to you next week.

With opening night of La Traviata just a couple of weeks away and the Met's opening Gala on September 22nd being shown in HD at cinemas around the world, opera season really is just around the corner.  I have kinda missed live opera over the Summer and I am excited.  Got your tickets yet?

I am bound for southern Oregon tomorrow to act as support team for Holly and Elizabeth who are hiking the Pacific Coast Trail.  I shall be returning on Monday.  Have a great week, everyone.