PHILLY OPERA FANATIC

Is everyone familiar with the Guillermo del Toro film, “Mimic“? The one about the mutant bugs living in the subway who carry off hapless New Yorkers for lunch?  It’s a favorite movie of mine so I highly recommend it.  But even favorites can be improved upon. I’m just glad that I could be the one to bring Maurice Ravel and Mira Sorvino together. [more . . . ]

In a better world, Sharon Tate would be here doing this herself. But she’s not. So I’m doing it for her. October is breast cancer awareness month. So let’s be aware of far we’ve come. Take Valley of the Dolls, for example. Sure, it seems like camp fantasia today, but it contains at least one kernel of truth [more . . . ]

I have a confession to make. During my recent ordeal, I’ve been listening to The Carpenters - and it’s been the most musically -and emotionally-satisfying experience I’ve had in a long time. [more . . . ]

From one of the local news stations: If you or anyone in your house is a musician, you’ll love this site. The site is The Mutopia Project. The site offers sheet music for nearly 1500 compositions. Most of the pieces are classical and in the public domain. Read more of the article. There, my good deed for the day is done. Goody, goody. Now I can focus on the bad one.

Never confuse the two Renatas, like the Amazon customer reviewer below. It’s like confusing George W. Bush and George McGovern. [more . . . ]

Now that Joanne Woodward’s free, maybe she will marry me. In the meantime, here’s a bit of Newmanalia from  the encyclopedic Halliwell’s Filmgoers’s Companion, 7th ed. - proof that even Paul Newman could be in a flop. [more . . . ]

F*** Dorothy. Who wants to be a friend of hers? I’m “A Friend Of Mona’s” instead. Are there any more of us, out there, in the dark? [more . . . ]

Vienna, City Of My Dreams. Literally. It’s one of the few places I’d like to visit but never have. Yet. But when I do finally make it to there, I’ll be able to navigate flawlessly around the city. Or, at least, to Cafe Mozart. I know precisely where the venerable institution is located, and thanks to Opera’s answer to the Bickersons, I will never ever forget. And now, neither will you. [more . . . ]

I’ve resigned myself to the reality that The Great iTunes Migration will never be finished — and that’s o-k. I enjoy doing this kind of stuff. It’s fun. Yes, fun. For people with a Master of Library “Science” degree, this is our sex — and carpal tunnel is the only thing we have to worry about catching. [more . . . ]

In 1963, she was in London. Forty-five years later, she’s in me. Elizabeth Taylor’s in me! I just discovered her. [more . . . ]

Hello children, I’m back. Anyone miss me? I missed myself. You see, I’ve been a little preoccupied of late. I’ve just had one of those weeks which, if you survive it physically… mentally… emotionally, will leave you different, changed … transfigured. [more . . . ]

Whew! After much tedium and carpal tunnel meltdown, The Philly Opera Events Calendar is finally ready for its debut. [more . . . ]