sydneyboy

Good question. I have never noticed him before.

An uncut Israeli. Unless he’s an Israeli Arab that would be a first.

Jakub Josef Orlinski took over the lead at short notice (replacing the mezzo Elizabeth DeShong) in Handel's Rinaldo at Glyndebourne a few months ago. He was originally cast in the role of Eustazio. This meant there were 4 countertenors in this production. I have just read a review of his performance in Opera magazine. The reviewer wrote "Orlinski is the real countertenor deal, one of the best I've heard on the operatic (or on any other) stage: an exceptional legato, no loss of power in the lower reaches, attentive diction, superb histrionic flair. He has in short, raised the bar decisively for what we can expect of this voice type in this repertory.'' Further proof, if it is needed, that he is a major operatic talent. As an aside, I attended Glyndebourne for the first time last July and heard a lovely performance of the Barber of Seville. I cheated a little by not wearing a dinner suit (I wore a lounge suit). Its a wonderful, quaint truly English experience. I hope to go again mid year when I'm in London to see Alcina and the Elixir of Love. This time I will hire a dinner suit.

To everyone on this forum happy Australia Day 2020!

To everyone on this forum happy Australia Day 2020!

Who knows? All I’ll say is that I have fond memories of experiences at Fragata.

It will be most interesting how the new Fragata in São Paulo shapes up.

On the Boytoy website there was a post dated 7 January which said in part ''On January 1, 3, and 4 I (was at the new Lagoa) always arrive late around 8 so that might influence my opinion. The number of clients went from 40-50 on the1st to 60-70 on the 4th with an abysmal number of boys of 5 boys on the 1st (checked at reception) to around 20 on the 4th. Please someone tell the boys in Rio there is much money to be made here in Lagoa this month.'' I don't know what to believe.

On the Boytoy website there was a post dated 7 January which said in part ''On January 1, 3, and 4 I (was at the new Lagoa) always arrive late around 8 so that might influence my opinion. The number of clients went from 40-50 on the1st to 60-70 on the 4th with an abysmal number of boys of 5 boys on the 1st (checked at reception) to around 20 on the 4th. Please someone tell the boys in Rio there is much money to be made here in Lagoa this month.'' I don't know what to believe.

The production looks like a shocker. Surely in an opera not in the mainstream repertoire “doing it straight” would aid the audiences appreciation.

Thank you William. When Herr Kaufmann was in Sydney last year for the stupendous Andrea Chenier he made it clear in media interviews he intended to sing Tristan. He is obviously building it block by block.

Please report back with your own view of this Wozzeck. Is Kaufman Tristan the full Opera in concert or only certain acts?

I further note on the Sydney performance. I was just reading the Sydney Morning Herald’s music critic, Peter McCallum’s highlights of the year. Across all classical music performances in 2019, opera, orchestral, chamber music and vocal he rated the William Kentridge Wozzeck number 1. He described it as genius and a triumph of music married to design and described the performance of local baritone Michael Honeyman as brilliant. New Yorkers don’t miss this production.

I am in London in July when Ms Netrebko is singing Tosca. As a Supporting Member I have high hopes of obtaining a seat when bookings open in mid February.

The death occurred on Christmas Day of the great German tenor Peter Schreier. A lyric tenor who appeared in Opera and lieder. He was a regular in the leading German opera houses as well as Vienna, the Salzburg Festival (where he appeared for 25 consecutive years), the Metropolitan and other major venues. I heard him in Sydney in a lieder recital in the mid 1990’s. A distinguished artist.

This was a co production with Opera Australia, the Salzburg Festival and other companies. I saw it in Sydney mid year with an excellent largely local cast. It made a shattering impact and I could not imagine a better case for the Opera. I might add my opera companion is an artist and she is a great fan of William Kentridge which added a welcome additional edge to the evening. Strongly recommend.

I’m confused.

Judging by his chosen pseudonym modesty is not one of self evident attributes.

With the greatest respect that confirms my worst fears.

I commented a few years ago that I had never seen a bad review on Planet Romeo (that was when Planet Romeo was easy to navigate and user friendly but that’s another story). I wrote a slightly sceptical comment on one occasion and it disappeared within a day. So many so called reviews are mindless odes to the boys beauty, wishing they would visit their city etc. Skepticism in the case in question I believe is well justified. This is slightly off topic but in so many review forums it is clear that some people are artificially promoting someone or the reverse. I saw a doctor some years ago who I was pleased with but I have recently noticed that he has received a number of negative comments on the Rate Your MD site obviously written by the same person with a personal gripe. The Internet is wonderful and has revolutionised dissemination of knowledge but should still be approached with caution.

Reading his Rentmen add I came to the inescapable conclusion that English was not his best subject at school.

He claims he’s straight. Fabulous looking.

A better idea is to send a nice letter sealed with a kiss.

This is a very belated review of Spedra or Stendhal as it is known in the US. It was a total flop. I was talking to my doctor this morning and he has had the same feedback from other patients. Buyer beware.

As much as I enjoyed his singing in Tosca in London mid year it was obvious that he is a Prima Donna from central casting. He milked the adulation at the final curtain for all it was worth.