Mercoledi Musciale

One of the items I was translating today for Ballet2000 was a review of Matthew Bourne's new ballet based on Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. Based on the critique I was working on I've added it to my list of things I'd love to see.

In the meantime it reminded me of the 1945 version of Wilde's story of the degenerate young man who never grew old, as his portrait hidden in the attic reflected the degradation of its subject. Though no one knew it at the time it was a landmark as it was the first time that a 19 year old Angela Lansbury sang in a film. It gave little hint of what was to come in the next 70 years.



Who could have predicted that little Sybil Vane would one day become one of the most powerful producers in television and the winner of 5 Tony Awards. Today at 84 she is performing 8 shows a week on Broadway as Madame Arcati in a revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit.

Last month John Lahr sat down with her at the New Yorker and recorded a marvelous interview which can be viewed here. God I adore that woman!

05 agosto - Dedicazione della basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore