Michael Bolton, the Opera Singer

Laugh if you want to, but I love Michael Bolton. For me, his voice can brighten up a rainy day and make things feel okay.

It's a quiet Friday morning and I'm trying to get some writing done. Research on the Internet (code for whiling-away-time) leads me to a fellow writers website where among her recent published work is an article on Bolton. Coincidence? More like serendipity, I think. That article tells me something I don't yet know about Bolton - he loves opera. With a voice like his, it doesn't come as a surprise.

The album is called 'My Secret Passion : The Arias CD'.

Now, MB may not be in the league of Pavarotti et al, but it is still a pleasure to listen to him sing these famous songs. To my inexperienced ears, the Italian is tinged with Americana. I'll wait for Mr.R's valuable advice before I consider even thinking of buying this.

In the meantime, I did the next best thing. I found this video of MB with Pavarotti . Absolutely lovely. MB comes on soon after the introduction and you can see him at 01:19 and thereafter.

A post on Opera

There's something about opera that I find incredibly soothing. It may be the languages. Not knowing the language allows you to soak in the melody without getting caught up in the lyrics. I feel my heart soar when I listen to it.

Italian aside, even pieces sung in English are fantastic. What is it about those voices?! Having watched a really inspiring program on Andrea Bocelli on TV, I've begun to look for his music. He may be labelled a 'cross-over' artist, but he's still a damn good opera singer.

Opera is goosebump music. Give it a chance.







And here's the Three Tenors singing the same Nessun Dorma with Zubin Mehta conducting.

A Marriage in Trafalgar Square

It was an unusual experience watching the first stars appear at Trafalgar Square. What made it special was the angle at which I watched dusk fall - on my back.

Along with about 4000 other people (about 18000 across the UK), Mr R and I were in Trafalgar Sq last night to watch one of the BP big screen relays of a performance from the Royal Opera House.

Last night's performance of 'The Marriage of Figaro' began at 7 pm, but we sensibly got there early, picked a good place to sit and then proceeded to enjoy the sunshine and atmosphere. Goodie bags generously given by BP helped us sit more comfortably - as they had inflatable cushions that saved many possible sore rear ends. Inflating those was enough though, to burst a lung. Fortunately, midway through huffing and puffing, I figured the technique and it was child's play after that.

Back to the Square.

So there we were. Lounging on a blanket, cushions available, newspapers, cool drinks and strawberries for company. It was delightful. The somewhat empty square began filling up fast after 6.30 as people arrived in droves with work mates.

At 7 sharp the broadcast began from Covent Garden and we sat through the next 3 1/2 hours spellbound as a filmi plot enfolded. Before we knew it, the traffic, sound and lights of one of London's busiest tourist sites had faded away into the background as we were drawn into the story. We did not know when the sun had stopped burning our bare arms and the shade fell over our sunglasses. Twilight fell and the only concession to that awareness was everybody reaching instinctively for their jackets; a reflex action against the sudden drop in temperature. By the time the event was over, we were all but shivering in the late night air. The magic of the music however would keep us warm till we got home.

This , easily, was one of the best evenings I've spent in England so far. A night on the concrete in Trafalgar Square is highly recommended. Put it on your to-do list, even if you've never heard opera before.

The next performance is on July 7. Bring a picnic along with some friends and have a memorable summer evening in London.

Trafalgar Square pictures

The crowd watching the screen

Before the telecast...picnic baskets and cool drinks

Nelson's column shrouded in mysterious underwater images. Almost 2D against the twilight sky