sydneyboy

The reviewers would appear to be trying to outdo one another in finding words to describe their rapture.

The reviews on Rentmen for today’s cover boy Mike Wickedboy are extraordinarily effusive. He is a real find if these reviews are to be believed. They are certainly consistent.

Opera Australia have announced their 2019 Sydney season. New Productions: ''Wozzeck'' (a co production with the Salzburg Festival and the Met), ''Madama Butterfly'' (with Karah Son and Hyeseoung Kwon alternating in the lead), ''Anna Bolena'' (with Ermonela Jaho and Sonia Ganassi, a very strong double) and ''Il Viaggio A Reims'' (with a large cast of imports and locals). I should also add ''West Side Story'', this years money making offering. Revivals: ''Turandot'' (with Amber Wagner and Yonghoon Lee), ''Werther'' (with Michael Fabiano and Elena Maximova), ''Salome'' (with Lise Lindstrom), ''The Marriage of Figaro'' (with multiple casts of imports and locals) and ''La Boheme'' (with Joyce El-Khoury and Ivan Magri in the first cast). Last but by no means least 2 concert performances of ''Andrea Chenier'' with Jonas Kaufmann, Eva-Marie Westbroek and Ludovic Tezier. All in all not a bad selection.

Will do.

Last week I saw Opera Australia's new production of ''Aida'' at the Sydney Opera House. Firstly the production itself by Davide Livermore. The set was made up entirely of moveable LED screens that could display anything from traditional static backdrops, digital animation and even film footage. Apparently Livermore has used similar screens in recent productions at La Scala and other European houses. Opera Australia head Lyndon Terracini said this ''Aida'' takes the approach to new extremes. It was highly effective and well received by audiences and critics alike. The singing. Our ''Aida'' was Amber Wagner, who may not be the most svelte and sexy ''Aida'' but what a voice! Its a long time since I have heard such a magnificent soprano in our Opera House. She was complemented by other international artists, Riccardo Massi as Radames and an excellent Amneris in Elena Gabouri. All in all a great night at the opera. This Friday Opera Australia is announcing its 2019 season.

These “misunderstandings “ and outright demands for more money are not exactly unknown at rent boy saunas. I had a very nasty episode at Lagoa, São Paulo some years ago. A less unsavoury episode occurred at the now defunct Rogers on Rio on one occasion. Considering the number of times I have been to Brazil (9 times) and Barcelona twice with countless visits to the rent boy saunas these unsavoury episodes should be put in perspective. I have a policy of writing down the amount agreed making sure it’s in the local currency and go from there. It will not eliminate all potential difficulties from the unscrupulous but will minimise potential difficulties.

My request was a general one to anyone who has been to both venues. I have been to Thermas many times on 2 visits to Barcelona but I am interested in comments from anyone who has also been to Adan and how it compares with Thermas.

I think he’s a stunner. An amazing bonus. No tattoos!

This guy is sensational. More information please.

The talk of the town in operatic circles in Sydney at the moment is the performance of Amber Wagner in a new production of “Aida” at the Sydney Opera House. I see it next week and will report back.

Seeing Juan Diego Flórez is still my great unfulfilled operatic wish.

My spies tell me that Ms Jaho will be singing the Donizetti Tudor Queens in Sydney over a 3 year period starting next year. I hope they are right! Apart from the Sydney Traviata that started this thread I have subsequently read fabulous (and I don’t use that word loosely) reviews of her performances in other roles on major houses.

I predict a mass exodus of readers of this esteemed forum to Argentina.

I was 11 days in Barcelona in June and paid a number of visits to Thermas. This was my second time in Barcelona the first 4 years ago. As I reported earlier in this thread I did not share the enthusiasm of others for Thermas. I would to draw a distinction between the venue itself and the boys. I still do not like the layout of the place and on this visit I found it quite dirty, particularly the toilets, on one visit disgustingly so. The first level below the entrance constantly reeked of cigarette smoke. The boys were another matter. There is no denying the quality particularly on a Saturday afternoon but I would still argue not to the standard of the major Brazilian saunas. I’m off to São Paulo in October for my favourite rent boy sauna, Lagoa and I can’t wait.

How would you compare Adan with Thermas in Barcelona?

How common this is! Very disappointing.

Has anyone attended the Rossini festival at Pesaro? Any information welcome.

Pretty face, nice body totally ruined by those hideous tattoos.

Thank you. Very much appreciated. People can be so kind.

He has no shortage of admirers on Rentmen.

Thank you Benjamin. One question. What is in your opinion the best area to stay in? I have never been there, but some of the hotels are in what I assume in the town area while others are a little further out in certain beach areas. How do you get around the island? I don’t drive and I not taking up bike riding. Are taxi cabs readily available?

I am considering Mykonos as a possible holiday destination. Has anyone been there recently? Advice on “the scene”, hotels welcome. What is the best area to stay?

To put it another way you don’t judge a book by its cover.

I read your post on the other thread. Very depressing.

Cute with a capital “C”.