WilliamM

The Metropolitan Opera’s Split Personality The company lurches from a tacky “Semiramide” to a glorious “Parsifal.” By Alex Ross https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/12/the-metropolitan-operas-split-personality I saw this staging of "Parsifal" with Jonas Kaufmann five years ago.. The blood in the water Act 2 was annoying. But, it was otherwise a glorious experience. I would much prefer seeing "Electra" than "Semiramide." However, I have already seen "Electra" twice in "Europe."

I was surprised when Liza Minnelli won Best Actress for "Cabaret." Even though I was pretty young I did not expect Grace Kelly to win Best Actress for Country Girl on the 1950s. Moonlight was a surprise last year.

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I read Ron Chernow's book "Hamilton" before seeing the musical. Very glad I did & and that I live in Philadelphia so could visit many of the sites mentioned in the book. "Hamilton" the musical was difficult for me, not the music, just the words. Even after listening to the album, I have mixed feeling about seeing the musical again.

My point: There are 4 or 5 Van Gogh paintings owned by the Barnes Foundation. I never considered seeing the film. Also, for years the Bernes was in the Philadelphia suburbs, now it is in Center City Philadelphia. Some people may not be aware of the change of locations -- to a museum with much more space and light.

I only watched the last 45 minutes. To me, Frances McDormand's comments were overly theatrical, maybe not if I had watched from the beginning. Also were there any surprise wins?

The Bracing Sorrow of Sufjan Stevens’s Oscars Performance https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-bracing-sorrow-of-sufjan-stevenss-oscar-performance The New Yorker

Jack and Mary Livington lived next door to Lucille Ball in Beverly Hill for a long time. Not sure how I know the following: Lucy visited Jack when he and Mary moved to a condo. He hated the condo; it was apparently Mary's idea. I was sad when JB passed away.

My guess is my young friend who wanted his ashes spread in the mountains of Ukraine thought it was a good idea too.

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