If you read todays title and said to yourself "Wha....?" then you had probably forgotten that today is the anniversary of the birth of Scotland's eternal poet laureat, Robert Burns. Now, I have to admit to feeling somewhat conflicted about this occasion. I have never had any particular fondness for the Scots, their weather or their cuisine. It's a personal thing I would rather not go into here. And yet I have a very soft spot in my heart for Burns. He was a liberal, a romantic, a socialist (when that really meant something), a poet, a lyricist and a world-class lover (were he alive today I suspect he would currently be sharing a cottage with Tiger Woods at the Gentle Path sex-addiction rehab facility in Mississippi). I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you this delightful rendition of one of his most famous poems, Ode To a Mouse. I shouldn't worry about being able to understand every word; think of it as opera where, even if you cannot understand what they're singing about, you just love the sound it makes. However, for those of you who would like an explanation of the poem and a translation, here's a link that will help you.

So, today I shall be lifting my annual glass of fine single malt whisky and toasting, with the very words at the head of this post, the memory of Scotland's favourite bard. Please feel free to join me.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Maestro!
Last Thursday was the birthday of tenor/baritone/conductor/administrator/bon viveur etc. etc.etc. Plàcido Domingo. While his official website says he is 69, I have seen it suggested in a number of places that he is 74, but that can be his little secret as far as I am concerned. The man is a marvel. He is one of the pre-eminent tenors of the last fifty years. He has performed no less than - count 'em - 128 roles, including creating the title role in Tan Dun's The First Emperor at the Met in 2007. He is General Director of both Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera. And at a time in his life when you might suppose he would want to take things a little easier, what did he do? He opened a new production at the Met, singing the title role in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra - a baritone role, if you please - that's what. The New York Times opera critic, Anthony Tommasini, said Domingo "brought vocal charisma, dramatic dignity and a lifetime of experience to his portrayal." I do hear a rumour that for next season he is designing the sets and costumes for a new Met production of La Taviata, in which he will sing the role of Violetta and will conduct the orchestra from the stage.
On a personal note, I will never forget the kindness and total class Maestro Domingo showed last year when he so royally entertained Priscilla at Washington National Opera. What can you say of a man who invites a public school music teacher and her husband to dine with him after he has just conducted a performance of Turandot - and also invites Aretha Franklin to that dinner because he thought she (Priscilla) would like that? For that single act of generosity of spirit, I am even prepared to forgive Domingo for singing with John Denver (oh, okay, and José Carreras). Here is Domingo in 1978 singing TheFlower Song from Bizet's Carmen.

So, from just one fan but on behalf of man, Maestro, many happy returns!

Pat McElroy
When I returned to Portland I was sad to hear that radio presenter Pat McElroy of AllClassical is sick. Here is a message from the station:

"Our good friend Pat McElroy, who normally hosts each Saturday, is ill and unable to continue with his work at All Classical. Cancer has returned and he’s home listening and fighting the good fight. We all miss him, and have sent flowers, cards and send him our thoughts and prayers. (CEO/President) Jack Allen, who visited Pat last week, along with John Burk (Program Manager), says Pat feels weak, but was buoyed by the kind words being sent to him by staff and others.

If you’d like to share your thoughts with Pat, feel free to email him at Pat@allclassical.org, or write:

Pat McElroy
c/o All Classical Public Media, Inc.
515 NE 15th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232-2897"

Pat is an ardent opera fan and one of us. Let's show him some love, folks.

One of the reasons I love Parterre Box
The opera queens who comment on the opera website Parterre.com hosted by La Cieca can be a bit much with their bitchiness and nit-picking and longing for operatic days of yore. But set against that, their comments are frequently perspicacious, knowledgeable and funny as hell. I had a big chuckle at this particular comment the other day: "Actually, I could sing Nabucco or Zaccaria tomorrow. It’s a question of having a voice, some vocal training, and knowing the roles (But some others are having careers with out one or more of these things–so, who knows?!)"

Stars of Così fan tutte
Last Wednesday evening I temporarily overcame my jetlag and went to the Scottish Rite to hear the stars of Così fan tutte give us a selection of their favourite arias and art songs. I still have reservations about the venue, but my enthusiasm for the event was unqualified. What a rich and varied programme! Among the highlights, Ryan MacPherson gave us not only a gorgeous aria from Massenet's Werther but a wholly convincing account of Maria from Bernstein's West Side Story. Our very own Angie Niederloh nailed Non pìu mesta from La Cenerentola. And Robert Orth...well. Those of you who remember his creepily right-on portrayal of Richard Nixon in our production of Nixon in China would scarcely have recognised him as the man who had us rolling in the aisles with The Major General's Song from G&S's Pirates of Penzance. The evening finished with audience and singers alike serenading Mr Orth with Happy Birthday in celebration of his anniversary the following day. To make the evening even more of a joy, some proceeds from the event went to MercyCorps to aid the relief effort in Haiti. All of the stars were in splendid voice and I think this really bodes well for some fine performances of Così in a couple of weeks. Bravi tutti!

A Song For Haiti
While on that topic I want to give a huge shout-out and offer of plaudits to Stephen Marc Beaudoin who, in the space of just a few days, managed to put together a stellar cast of performers, sell out the Aladdin Theater and raise $150.000 for MercyCorps. It was, of course, a fabulous idea to have Thomas Lauderdale, Storm Large et al to give their services and lend their talents to this event but having an idea and making it manifest are two very different things and Stephen deserves the thanks and congratulations of us all for making this idea a reality and such a huge success.

I do have other things I wish to write about this week but am still marshalling my thoughts and material (yes, I really do have thoughts and material, you know?) so you should check back here later in the week.

In the meantime, have a happy and productive week.