South Africa Diary Part 4 – The Cape Crusaders

There used to be a yearly balloon rally outside of Aspen.  I remember the one in 1983 the best.  There was one balloon that lifted off and it had writing on it that I couldn’t quite make out in the mist. But then it all came clear.  It said: “Decadence – A Way of Life.”  I can so relate.

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South Africa Diary, Part 2 – IT’S ONLY A FLESH WOUND!

I have the blood of Africa running through my veins, and now I’ll be leaving some of that same blood on the old continent.  More about that later.

If I may make a suggestion – if you ever get the chance to go on tour somewhere exotic on the coattails of Renée Fleming – TAKE IT!  Renée and her family (daughters, brother & family, mom, personal assistant) got into Durban, South Africa on Tuesday morning.  Tuesday at lunch we had our “presentation.”  This is when the schedule was revealed.

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More Random Thoughts

It’s summer, in case you haven’t noticed, and I’m finding it hard to sit down and write the 3,000 word exposé.  I’m sure I’ll get back into it in a few weeks.  In the interim – more random thoughts.

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Having our Cross-over to Bear: Concert Snapshot – Chris O’Riley

A funny thing happened on the way to the Dakota: a new magazine came across my path.  It’s called “Listen – Life With Classical Music.” Actually I don’t know if it’s new but it’s definitely new to me.  What caught my eye was an article on Erich Korngold and his travails for having the …… audacity? …… idiocy? ……… intelligence? ……… to write music for Hollywood, and the negative effect this had on his career.  Boy does that sound familiar……

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