Lunedi Lunacy

Armstrong and Miller are a new British comedy team to me. Their "Chav" talk take on WWII RAF movies is hysterical.







And their "cheating wife" and "kill them" running gags are pretty damned funny too.

06 luglio - Santa Maria Goretti

20th Century Blues - Part I

After a weekend of Baroque at Salzburg in May-June, this past month seems to be devoted to the 20th Century with one brief excursion into the late 1800s. Just to be perverse I'll start with the last first - yesterday's trip up to the Festival of the Two Worlds in Spoleto.

This year's Spoleto Festival continued with what seems to be a mini-theme: obscure French musical theatre. Last year is was Albert Roussel's opera-ballet Padmâvatrî, and this year Reynaldo Hahn and Sasch Guitry's boulevard musical Mozart. Created in 1925 by Guitry for his wife Yvonne Printemps, Mozart was chiefly an excuse for her to appear in travesti, gamine and winsome and display her vocal talents. Aside from two brief numbers for secondary characters the music is restricted to an energetic overture, a few pieces of background music and three arias for the title character. As with most Boulevard theatre the story line is rather flimsy and an excuse for bon mot and witty dialogue; the teenage Mozart returns to the home of Baron Grimm in Paris, the scene of his earlier triumphs as a child prodigy. He flirts with four woman in the household and has perhaps seduced ne of them, but we never find out who. He is sent packing before he can do any real damage but three men have been made aware of how important the women in their lives are to them. Perhaps Guitry was thinking of his own wife who was soon to leave him for the younger Pierre Fresnay.

Director-Designer Pier Luigi Pizzi set the action squarely in the period of the work's creation, the 1920s. His art deco set in blacks, whites and grays enclosed the action perhaps too closely forcing some of the staging down onto the auditorium floor which made for some odd dynamics of sound as did the placement of the Orchestra J Futura. His costumes were marvels of period clothing - many reflecting the influence of Erté and other designers of the French Music Hall - with glorious splashes of color, purples, oranges and for the period clad Mozart pinks amongst the blacks and whites. My friend Simonetta knew she could carry off that daring first little number in black worn by Orianne Moretti as La Guimard, the ballerina - and if anyone I know could it would be her. The problem with Pizzi's setting came mostly for the dance numbers - choreographed and danced by Gheorghe Jancu and Moretti they were awkward attempts to fit Charleston and 20s dance steps to pastiche 18th century music.

Of the actors the obvious standouts were Jean Morel (left), still handsome at 75, as Baron Grimm and Marie-Therese Keller as Madame d'Epinay - both seasoned performers with the lightness of touch to deliver Guitry's slightly dated lines with grace and wit - Keller positively throbbing with passion as much when she received Mozart's attention as when she avowed her love for the Baron. The rest of the supporting cast were fine but could have taken a few notes from their seniors. Boulevard theatre requires a style that most performer today lack.

But ultimately Mozart was written as a vehicle for a star like Printemps and as fine as Sophie Haudebourg was she didn't have that "je ne sais quoi" that is need for the part. Perhaps it was Pizzi's direction but she played the part on one, perhaps two, notes with too much boyish laughter. Her vocalizing was good if at times slightly wayward but again placement for her arias - on the auditorium floor for two - may have worked against her. And Mozart's final exit with the bravado declaration that someday the world would recognize his genius went for little - something I'm sure Printemps as an actress and Guitry as a director would never have let pass.
Pier Luigi Pizzi and the cast of Mozart - note that rather daring dress on Orianne Moretti.
At the end of the performance I chatted briefly with Alberto Testa, the renowned Italian dancer-choreographer-author - who has a fondness for the Paris of Printemps and Guitry. He remarked on how light and charming the work was and how captivating in its innocence and despite the drawbacks I've mentioned I must agree with him. Yes it is a period piece but as entertainment it works and though there aren't stars like Printemps in our day to give it that final lift, it made for an enjoyable afternoon's entertainment.

Postscript:

A violent thunderstorm that lasted almost 2 hours meant we had to forgo an after performance walk around Spoleto and forced us to sit on an umbrellaed terrace drinking aperitvo and consuming copious nibbles proffered by the thoughtful barrista - there are worse ways to spend a late Saturday afternoon.

One thing we did manage was pranzo at La Pecchiarda, my favorite restaurant in town. Sitting on the terrace in their garden (above) we were well looked after by a wonderful waitress - how can you not love someone who recommends a wine by saying that "ladies seem to develop a tenderness for it" - we tucked into a splendid menu of antipasti, secondi, desert, coffee and wine for four at half the price you would pay in Roma.




I had their wonderful take on Melanzane Parmigiana followed by real Chicken caccitore (we must talk about the abomination they serve under that name in Canada one day)along with wonderful roast potatoes; Simonetta favoured a thick and tasty bean soup and a local beef dish with grilled zucchini; Ben went for a truffled bruschetta and strangozzzi with porcini; and Laurent tried the truffle fritta (a creamy scrambled egg flecked with earthy truffles)and a beef dish with ruccola and shavings of Parmesan cheese. The only less than magnificent items were the rather ordinary pana cotta and semi-fredo that ended the meal. A really wonderful lunch made that much more enjoyable by the company.

And that wine that invoked such tenderness was a light, slightly fizzy white from Cantina Baldasarri in the region. If a lady could develop a tenderness for it I could see a few people developing an outright passion.

05 lulgio - Sant'Antonio Maria Zaccaria

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Here's the marvelous Jimmy Cagney showing us that before he smashed grapefruits in ladies faces he was a remarkable song and dance man. And a reprise from Mickey and Judy.

To all my darling Yankee Doodle Dandies - yes I know Dora I should never call a Southern a Yankee but you know what I mean - have a glorious and happy 4th!

04 lulgio - Sant'Elisabetta del Portogallo

Two Wheel Tricks

No this is not a posting about my misspent youth amongst the flesh pots of the world - believe me that would take up far to much space. My darling Yannis in Athens posted this on Facebook and I just had to steal it. The guy is amazing!



Confession time: no, not about the fleshpot thing, that was so long ago I forget, but I never could learn to ride a two wheel bike. Hell I fell off my tricycle!

03 Luglio - San Tommaso???????

Happy Birthday Canada!

I fondly remember the days when CBC signed off each morning with this video.



Despite what our current crop of politicians - and I exempt no party - have done to diminish my country I am proud to be a Canadian. Proud of the rights and freedoms that I enjoy, proud of the work done abroad by our military, proud of the rich and varied heritage that makes up my country. Though today I will celebrating in another land I will none the less be celebrating My Home and My Native Land.

And here's one of my favorite version of our national anthem - unfortunately only in English.


Happy Canada Day et bonne fête to all my friends back home and throughout the world.

01 July - Canada Day

Martidi Musciale

A bit early with the music for the week but tomorrow is July 1st and that demands special music. Hands up everyone who wanted to be on American Bandstand - actually maybe it would be better to say: Hands up anyone who even remembers American Bandstand! I can put my hand up for both - but then I'm old. Apparently Shirley Ellis was more than a one hit wonder but it was the "The Name Game Song" that she is best remembered for.



Which brings up the subject of names. My friend Cathy was wondering where people got the various names they leave comments under. Well Uncle Pervy was the easiest to explain: a few years back one of my oldest friends, Blake, agreed to look after Reesie for a month while I was in Vietnam. When he first came into the house and approached the Reeserman, he was greeted with a look that pretty much said: who is this pervert and why is he touching me? Reese was good with that sort of look. Ever after Blake was known as Uncle Pervy. And Reesie became very attached to his Uncle Pervy.

She also questioned where I got the title for my blog. I only wish I could claim credit for the witty play on words but that was a nickname given to me years ago by my colleague Sue at Air Canada. She had a dry wit, a sharp sense of humour and a nickname for everyone.

So where did your comment nickname, blog title or nom d'internet come from?

30 giugno - Protomartiri della chiesa di Roma

Nicky News

Just so his Uncle Pervy and everyone who sent messages won't worry, Nicky is doing much much better. It looks like he may have eaten something at the kennel that he shouldn't have or maybe even on one of our walks - because if you want proof that dogs are scavengers all you have to do is walk Nicky. He has developed a love of pebbles amongst other things. Of course at that stage of puppydom if you can't play with it you must be able to eat it!



Anyway he is on the mend - his tummy is settling, his energy he never lost and he is still fighting with Nora for sovereignty over the doggie bed.


29 giugno - Santi Pietro e Paolo

And Now For A Word ...

... not from our sponsors but from me. I probably won't be posting for a day or two - its just been too hectic around here. We've had a visit from our friend Cathy, always a pleasure to have company from Canada especially when they bring large jars of Kraft peanut butter, so that has kept me busy; I've been trying to finish a contract so I can get more mad money for opera trips; plus I took on a translation job with Ballet2000 a periodical out of London; and our Nicky has been a bit under the weather which has meant trips to the vets. The phrase "bugger for punishment" keeps running through my head!

Having said that I have a few things in that growing "Drafts" folder - something on this past two weeks at the opera; a picture and word bit on Trieste inspired by Jan Morris's wonderful book Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere; a GVP of the dynamic duo; and a slide show of our tour of the Vatican Gardens. Plus we have Canada Day coming up. Damn the excitement just never ends.

Anyway I'm off to figure out how you translate "Bolle e uno hunk!" into English!

27 giugno - San Ferdinando d'Aragona

Poster Politic

This poster has appeared all over Roma today.

Here's what it says (not translated word for word but with the intent) with apologies for any of the epithets.

NOTE: I have found a more powerful translation which is an even clearer message:

You call me a dirty nigger or a disgusting lesbian
But you are offended if I call you Mafioso.

Racism (prejudice) is a boomerang.
Sooner or later it comes back to you.

24 giugno - San Giovanni Batista

Mercoledi Musicale

As the month of weddings comes to a close and my friends in various States in the Union debate the definition of marriage here's the incredible Madeline Kahn with the ultimate pre-nuptial jitters from Stephen Sondheim's Company.



Believe it or not as rapid as Kahn is with the patter Beth Howland did it faster and with even clear diction in the original Broadway production.

Now someone throw the bouquet!

24 giugno - San Giovanni Batista

Ain't That Peachy

One of the joys of living in Italy - and though I do occasionally complain there are more than enough joys to make up for the problems and pitfalls - is that fruit and vegetables are still pretty much sold in season. Oh sure we get the Chiquita bananas from god-only-knows-where and the Turkish figs in October but still much of the produce is local and in season. Italian figs have just appeared on the market and peaches, which my Sri Lankan fruttivendelo (greengrocer) assures me are Italian, are showing up.


I had never seen those little squash shaped peaches before but a quick Googling revealed that they are called Pan Tao or Peen To. Apparently they are also being marketed as Donut peaches because you can push the pit out leaving a donut shape. Whatever they are called they are delicious - white fleshed, sweet and soft without being mushy. And the skin is almost fuzzless - sorry but peach fuzz gives me the shivers.

I am thinking they are the perfect candidate for the simplest of Italian deserts - peaches soaked in wine. Just the thought of it is enough to send me tumbling off the wagon!


23 giugno - Santi Martiri di Nicomedia

Lunedi Lunacy

I felt a bit like this on Saturday when I phoned my bank help desk about an international transfer.


22 giugno - San Tommaso Moro

The Pope's Tile Store

Every so often I get a chance to visit something here in Roma that is not accessible to the populus generalus: the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel after hours with a small group; the Headquarters of the Knights of Malta; a long buried Mithraeum; the monastery garden at St Croece; the Scavi under St Peter's; and just last week the Mosaic Factory in the Vatican City.



Not to make it sound too exclusive, these sort of special visits are available for everyone, it just takes some fore thought, some planning and a bit of knowing how to arrange it.

Next on the list - this coming Friday a visit to the Vatican Gardens with our friend Cathy.

Interesting note: One of the major tasks the Vatican Mosaic Factory faces on a monthly basis is replacing tiles in the dome of the Basilica. While up there many tourists have a habit of chipping off pieces to take home as souvenirs.

20 giugno - Sant'Ettore

What a Frenzied Moment That Was!

Didn't they maintain an exhausting pace?
'Twas a thrilling, absolutely chilling
Running of the Ascot op'ning race.

Ascot Gavotte - My Fair Lady
Alan Jay Lerner

My darling OC posted some fun photos from Ascot Opening Day with the usual assortment of haute and not so haute millinery that has become de rigeur.

I was reminded of a wondrous hat that Dame Edna Everage wore back in 1976.


A lovely replica of the Sydney Opera House - sail boats and sharks in the bay included. Dame Edna could get away with that sort of thing - some of the ladies that OC has posted pictures of can't.

18 giugno - Santa Marina

This Week's GPP! or Is That MPP*

Even though their Uncle Pervy has expressed a preference for a video entry on the weekly Gratuitous Puppy post I'm afraid that just wasn't possible this week. What with being up in Milano in mid-week and a few other things happening here its been impossible to catch the dynamic duo on film. So here they are in uncharacteristic moments of sweet repose - much to the relief of their poor Papa and Gros Pa, who after all are not young pups!
Nicky seems to feel that his tummy is particularly photogenic.

*Mandatory Puppy Pictures

18 giugno - Sant'Erasmo

Mercoledi Musicale

A sentiment that several people I know are going through right now.

And no one sings it like Bernadette!

Time heals everything
Tuesday, Thursday
Time heals everything
April, August
If I'm patient the break will mend
And one fine morning the hurt will end
So make the moments fly
Autumn,Winter
I'll forget you by
Next year,Some year
Tho' it's hell that I'm going through
Some Tuesday, Thursday
April, August
Autumn, Winter
Next year, Some year
Time heals everything
Time heals everything
But loving you.

So make the moments fly
Autumn, Winter
I'll forget you by
Next year, Some year
Though it's hell that I'm going through
Some Tuesday, Thursday
April, August
Autumn, winter
Next year, Some year
Time heals everything
Time heals everything
But loving you!

Jerry Herman - Mack and Mabel

17 giugno - San Ranieri

By Altichiero

The trouble with living in a place with so much going on is that you see things advertised, you turn to someone and say "we really must see ...." and then when you turn around its left town. It happened with the Bellini exhibition last year and several others that we just managed to miss. The Giotto e Il Trecento has been on since late March and is due to close the end of this month. My friend Simonetta and I started talking about going sometime in April and finally yesterday managed to brave the heat, and at a time when only mad dogs and Englishman should be out, ventured down to the Vittoriano for a look.

The problem with Giotto is that he was better at frescoes than anything else and its difficult to cart a wall away from a church - they get a bit shirty when you suggest it. So though there were several fine frescoes most of the Giotto work were his altar pieces etc; and frankly at the risk of being stoned, though he is a great fresco painter, I find much of the rest of his work static and at time unmoving. However the crafty curators solved that with the Trecento tag - Giotto and the 1300s. As a result much of what I, personally, found moving or interesting were works by his students.

Madonna con bambino (1370-1384) - Altichiero
Affresco staccato diametro 55 cm
Padova, Parrocchia degli Eremitan

And both of us were totally captivated by this sublime Madonna con bambino by Altichiero di Zevio, a follower if not a student of Giotto. Though the hands have that elongated appearance so typical of the Master from Bondone, the features have a more human look. To my eye this is a portrait of a loving mother and an adoring child as much as it is a representation of a spiritual subject.

16 giugno - Santi Quirico e Giulitta

Lunedi Lunacy

Here is a little something my nephew sent me that is indisputable mathematical logic. Somehow it seemed appropriate at the moment and it also gave me a chuckle. This is a strictly mathematical viewpoint...it goes like this:

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100%?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

And:
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

And, look how far ass kissing will take you:
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty, that while Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, its the Bullshit and Ass kissing that will put you over the top!

15 giugno - San Vito

Hey Devin! Welcome to the World!

The newest member of our family of friends arrived on June 10th at 6:10 pm. Devin Ognjen weighed in at 3 kilos and 150 grams and 51 cm tall. Marija is doing just fine and Darryl is already trying to show the kid how to grill the perfect hamburger. And big brother Tyler Vuk has sung him his first lullaby - in Serbian.

The hospital photographer was trying to convince Darryl that it would be better for him to take the photos - more professional, better equipment yada yada yada! Myself I like Papa Fidelak's photos. It takes a new dad to capture the moment!

Tyler Vuk isn't too sure about this new brother thing - he's awfully small!

But he is awfully cute and he seems fairly impressed with his big brother.


However there obviously came a time when Devin Ognjen had it with the paparazzi. No more photos! Devin Ognjen has left the building. (That's Grandma helping protect him from the press.)

14 guigno - Sant'Eliseo

Wanton Distruction

For six of the seven years that I lived there I was involved with the Aylmer Heritage Association (AHA). It is a group dedicated to saving the architectural patrimony of Aylmer, a town with one of the richest stock of heritage buildings in the Ottawa Valley. Founded in 1810 by a small group of Scots Methodists from New England the town thrived as a lumbering community and staging post for trips up the Ottawa River. As it developed Irish immigrants and French Canadians came in as labourers and workers; prosperous merchants built large stylish homes and all the businesses that were necessary for a town to prosper and grow were opened.

Given the background of the town founders it stands to reason that the first house of worship was a Methodist Chapel - a lovely building recently restored and the headquarters of the AHA. Churches of other faiths followed and in 1838 Charles Symmes, one of the city fathers and an ardent Methodist, gave land for the expressed purpose of building a Catholic church - he may not have agreed with the way his staff worshiped but he wanted them to worship! The first St Paul's was destroyed by fire in 1892 and a new church built in 1893. In the Gothic style so favoured at the time, the interior was richly adorned and painted and the steeple reached for the heavens.

In the 1800s St Paul's steeple was a landmark to travellers on both sides of the river whither arrival was by steamer or stage coach. And was still an indication that I was near home when I was coming back from trips up the Valley a full century later. I always knew I was almost there when I could see that steeple. That will no longer be the case.



Early on the morning of June 11th a fire broke out in the back of the church and within hours, no doubt fed by the old wood interior, St Paul's had become an empty stone shell. It appears, from evidence and witness accounts, that the fire was an act of arson. The purposeful destruction of historical buildings is not unknown in the town but normally that would be when it stood in the way of some developer's plans. This was a working and active parish church with a good size congregation and was in the process of being restored. Why anyone would want to destroyed it is a mystery.

An investigation is under way and it appears an arrest is imminent. But if found and then convicted what punishment do you give to someone who has destroyed a piece of history? What is a fitting sentence when the heritage of a place is wantonly destroyed? What do you get for taking the heart out of a community?

13 giugno - Sant'Antonio di Padova