ROH's Faust FINALLY on DVD

Here's something on my must-buy list. The Royal Opera's production of Faust by David McVicar in the 90s, starring the then dream cast of ROH favourites Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna and Bryn Terfel, conducted by Antonio Pappano. This production was filmed and broadcast on TV 5 years ago but Lord knows why it took so long it to be released on video, maybe it has something to do with Angie's famous dislike for blond wigs. Hope it reaches stores in Taiwan and Singapore soon!

Clear Skies

Well it seems the worst is over. Its probably a good idea that I'm secluded in the school most of the time since the elements leave it pretty intact, away from the heavy winds and heavy rain that so heavily affected other parts of the country. Meanwhile, here's an example of the damage wrecked by Typhoon Fanapi:

Typhoon Day 1

Typhoon Fanapi has officially struck Taiwan today, as can be seen by the non-stop rain and heavy winds outside my dorm room. But really its nothing that an umbrella wouldn't solve, which means that we in Taipei have been lucky so far. I  was almost tempted to dump my umbrella and sing a passage of Norma just like what Montserrat Caballe did. Meanwhile, news reports from other towns show footage of trees and traffic lights being uprooted, cars and trucks overturned and construction projects simply blown away. Day 2 promises to bring more mayhem as Fanapi makes its way across the island toward the Mainland. I've dutifully stocked up on food supplies as advised by the media, so let's see what new surprises will happen tomorrow.

Typhoon

Small typhoon in October 2009

One thing about Taiwan that is not often mentioned in their tourism ads is how temperamental their weather can be. Right now news reports going overtime as the nation gears up for what is expected to be a really strong typhoon. After the bad rep on negligence the last time, the authorities are taking no chances this time round, even activating the army to build barriades and conduct evacuation measures. The school too has installed metal stops on all basement-level entrances to prevent the underground levels from being submerged. Our hostel has taped up its glass doors so that in the event the winds actually break the glass, the shards wouldn't fly too far (yeah I know!)

With all this paranoia going around, I'm not quite sure what to make of it since this is my first major typhoon (I've been through a mild one where its basically just non-stop drizzling for 3 days). My roomies though are rather relaxed: they have been through every typhoon imaginable and are rather used to it as earthquakes and typhoons are a frequent occurrence here. The typhoon will officially hit Taiwan sometime tonight; it has been drizzling non-stop today which is probably a foretaste of greater things to come. Wonder what's in store? Let's wait and see...

Taiwan's NSO Season Opener

OK I rarely talk about concerts I've attended in Taipei but since there's hardly anything to talk about these days, why not start from here? I've just returned from a wonderful performance of Mahler's 5th by the National Symphony Orchestra. This evening was quite an event for 2 big reasons: Its opening night of their 2010/2011 season, and more importantly it marks the first concert conducted by their new artistic director Lü Shao-Chia (呂紹嘉), in the first season fully programmed by him. Spotted among the bevy of musical VIPs is our very own Darrell Ang, who seems to have quite a following among the young students here (more on that in future posts).

As it is, audiences tonight were bowled over by the finely drawn-out performance: a highly spirited delivery that enthralled and moved in such a way that only a well-prepared concert of Mahler can give. Filling up the program was the world premiere of I-Uen Wang Hwang's Diptych of Taiwan which made-up the first half: it was a delightful tonal portrait of sunset at Gaun-Yin Mountain and the annual Ma Zu parade.

Lü's experience is marked by many years spent at the Komische Oper Berlin, as well as appearances in the opera houses of Sydney, ENO, Brussels, Hamburg and Stuttgart. With such a wealth of experience in opera, one would hope for more adventurous programming of vocal music.Elektra and Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn is already on this season's program, but the one I'm most looking forward to attending is Britten's gargatuan War Requiem (check out the Events Page). It certainly looks like an exciting season ahead!

Maria Callas's Lucia Through The Years

As today is the 33th death anniversary of the passing of the great Maria Callas, here's a special tribute to her: a compilation of 10 performances of the final seconds of Lucia di Lammermoor, collected from recordings from 1952 to 1959, i.e. pre and post weight loss (1955). The clips are arranged in this order:

10 June Mexico
10 June Mexico (encore)
26 June Mexico
1953 Studio Recording
Milano 1954
Berlin 1955
Napoli 1956
New York 1956
Roma 1957
1959 Studio Recording

"Madonna" by Secret

Not opera related

You know that an Asian girl-band has big plans to go international when they release a single inspired by the biggest pop star of them all. Throw in a couple of snazzy dance moves that are hard enough but not too difficult for amatuer dancers to copy and perform in clubs and holiday camps and you've got a sure-fire hit. Wonder what the lyrics mean though...