Jammo, Jammo!

Here's something that you may enjoy if you like things that don't really go together: It's Luciano Pavarotti singing Funiculi, Funiculá with Aqua. As in, the band that recorded Barbie Girl. There's a child choir thrown in for good measure, too.

The seeming ease with which Mr. Pavarotti hits that breathtaking last note amuses me.

Faust

If you live in or near Chicago and you have even a fleeting interest in opera, then you should go see Faust. It was magnificent; my new favorite opera! The sets were breathtaking, the singing was great (not that I'm an expert) and it just was all so good. There was a scene set in a church that is my new favorite scene in opera because it was spooky and wonderful. Behind the cut, I linked a YouTube of my new favorite aria (Le veau d'or (The Golden Calf)) as sung in a different production. The singer playing Méphistophélès is the same as at the Lyric, but that set is super super boring compared to the Lyric set.

( video behind cut )

I kind of want to go see it again. In addition, they opened a new bistro restaurant right next to our aisle. It's going to be expensive. The macaroons are to die for.

If you care, here is how I would rank the eight operas that I have been to:
1. Faust
2. La Boheme
3. Falstaff
4. Abduction from the Seraglio
5. Porgy and Bess
6. Eugene Onegin
7. Die Frau Ohne Schatten
8. Doctor Atomic

Q has also see The Pearl Fishers, which she thinks I would have loved, as well as Lulu (not) and the Cav-Pag.