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Post by julesd68 on Apr 21, 2024 18:39:12 GMT
Thanks Tim, it looks like a proper tour of Malta and Gozo would be in order, not just a city break to Valetta - I just know I'm going to enjoy it!
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 21, 2024 18:36:57 GMT
Yes I'm not one for biopics much either but I believed in Cailee Spaeny's character in this film. First time I have come across her.
The only thing that spoilt my enjoyment was two Poundland bellends having a picnic, munching and crunching their way through of huge plastic bags of cheap snacks throughout the entire film, they never stopped. How I kept calm I don't know!
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 21, 2024 17:43:14 GMT
Jacksons Lane, London - 21 Apr 2024
The Fairy Queen - Henry Purcell
HGOAntiqua Orchestra led by Seb Gillot HGO director Eloise Lally
This was one of the most extraordinary performances I have seen in my 55 years. The singing was eternally joyous whilst the production was endlessly inventive; I only hope I can do justice to the evening in this short review.
Jacksons Lane is a modestly sized Arts Centre just 10 minutes walk from my home in Highgate, North London. The small theatre brings great intimacy to the experience and the acoustic is surprisingly good. Imagine if you will a stage with a 12 person Baroque orchestra seated at the back led from the harpsichord. The premise of the production is set in a contemporary photographer's studio where she has an enchanted vision of classical Athens, in which she encounters a host of Ancient gods and mortals over the five acts.
The background of HGO is to give an opportunity to up and coming talent; we were handsomely rewarded in this regard. I would be quite amazed had we not heard some stars of the future here and I can only wish these fine young people all the very best in their future careers. The opera was splendid entertainment from start to finish with Purcell's ravishingly exquisite music but if I had to pick one moment it would be the musical exchange between a soprano and baroque oboist who took to the stage to move around the soprano, almost as if she were a snake charmer. The poise and tone of both voice and instrument was quite riveting.
The production was so cleverly interactive for the performers themselves in the way that they do so much more than just stand there singing. They have to navigate multiple on-stage costume changes and seamlessly rearranging the studio set as the orchestra plays the overtures. They even sometimes handle the photographic lighting! It's all handled so humorously and with such a deft and light touch ...
The choreography was remarkably assuredly handled considering the numbers involved on this small stage, with a fine sense of artistic harmony and momentum. A feast for the eyes. Humour was also a such strong feature of the evening, as was a sense of gender fluidity which was handled so naturally. There was even occasionally a dose of good old fashioned camp humour. We even somehow got a rendition of "YMCA" near the end of the opera and it just worked, with the crowd responding in great spirit. How often do you hear this tune with a baroque orchestra? But make no mistake, these are serious performers and it would not surprise me if a handful of singers make it to the stages of Glyndebourne and further afield ...
The final bow was welcomed with raucous applause and I took the short walk home with a spring in my step thanks to this profoundly rewarding experience which I will not forget. It goes without saying that I will be following HGO closely from now on.
hgo.org.uk jacksonslane.org.uk/
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 21, 2024 17:14:46 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 14:23:31 GMT
I wish they'd get on with it, I just want to listen and make an assessment of sound quality and value for money.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 14:21:52 GMT
Another teasing release from the forthcoming Yuja album, just release the damn thing!!
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 13:29:37 GMT
Ah, what do those units do that the EtherRegen doesn't cover?
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 12:11:07 GMT
DXE patch? Sorry I must have missed this, what's that Martin?
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 12:07:33 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 12:05:11 GMT
It's as if the world is moving in slow motion around me and the streets are full of lunatics. That's the strange feeling I am left with driving home in a muted haze after being hit in the face with a sledgehammer by Civil War.
The sheer visceral onslaught is insane. The pounding audio, sound FX and use of music is shocking. I won't forget De La Soul's "Say No Go" here. The incredible depth of texture and quality of every shot puts you right on the scene with the roving photographers.
This film is near perfect and demands to be seen at the cinema. End of transmission.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 8:29:50 GMT
Are you sure you are feeling ok today John?
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2024 8:24:57 GMT
I was forced to change my car at the beginning of lockdown due to ULEZ and chose to buy a petrol car on the basis that the EV range and charging infrastructure weren't adequate. I'm sure I made the correct decision.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 18:17:45 GMT
So the dude is claiming that EVs are "disposable items" based on the fact his garage won't buy his Taycan back right now as there is a new model coming out and they have too many of the old model. to shift ...
Yes, new cars can depreciate rapidly, especially expensive sports cars, petrol or EV. What a lightbulb moment for him ... How many people in the real world are likely to have the same experience?
He's peddling this ludicrous sob story to get on the 'EVs are shit' bandwagon just to create a bit of controversy to market his YouTube channel.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 12:56:48 GMT
He did a Shostakovich symphony cycle on DG that with a couple of exceptions was very well received. That was with the Boston Symphony however.
You'd really hope for a special performance on such an occasion!
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 12:16:17 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 11:26:21 GMT
Agreed, she's an absolute queen of tone, such a special talent.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 9:06:31 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 8:29:14 GMT
They haven't.
But Amazon didn't show a profit for 9 years ...
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 8:27:01 GMT
I've decided that a city break to Valetta is now compulsory ... Valletta is great Jules, been there a lot . . . I was born in Malta
If you go to Valletta you must try the local pastry called Pastizzi.
Caffe Cordina is a great place to go, Republic Square area (where the statue of Queen Victoria is), you might recognise it around there as it's used a lot as a filming location.
Wow - how long did you spend growing up in Malta, Tim? That cafe looks absolutely fab, my kind of place. It's amazing - looking at Alex Rider I feel I just want to get a camera out, just about every place they go is so photogenic and inspiring to me!
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 19, 2024 8:20:44 GMT
Pearl Jam - Dark Matter
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