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Well in case you guys are thinking "never on a Sunday" or "Sunday is a day of rest", something to make sure that you get with the program... https://78.media.tumblr.com/8a4b6af437086ad4bae5d81dbb307241/tumblr_ootz29I3x61qa0p3wo1_500.gif

Plus your weekend bonus... https://78.media.tumblr.com/8eb270a40673b3cec3a5de564394fdc3/tumblr_movwmlOYH21ruqw1do1_500.jpg

Ripe for your weekend enjoyment...

The planets were certainly perfectly aligned on March 10th! IF YOUR BIRTH DATE IS March 10, you are an attention seeker! The zodiac sign for today is Pisces. You enter into a crowded room and own it. All eyes are on you. People are drawn to you and your spotlight. Your flirtatious attitude is only on the surface. What is behind that birth day trait is someone who has spunk. Yes indeed, Pisces, you can take care of yourself. You will not let anyone push you around. If that is what some people think, they are in for a little surprise. If your zodiac birthdate is March 10, you may be competitive or even obsessed with fitness and health. You stay active year round in sporting activities. Favorable numbers: Number 1 – This number stands for independence, originality and an ability to command. Number 4 – This number is hardworking, logical, stable and meticulous. WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST MY GOOD FRIEND! DO ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL DAY TO THE MAX!

Yes, that orchestral fart... pure genius!

One feature of Rigoletto that has always fascinated me concerns the fact that like a number of Rossini operas the chorus is all male. I have always wondered if this was a nod to the censors so as to limit the interaction between the sexees with a libretto that possibly was right on the edge of being banned. In Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri they are eunuchs, corsairs, and Italian slaves, but where are the harem girls? In Rigoletto they are the Duke's courtiers and guests, but no women "guests" are written into the musical score at least as far as the chorus is concerned. Possibly Verdi simply wanted to stress the male dominance or it simply was the "tinta" or color that he was looking for in the piece. Also, as in some of the posts above we are simply getting lost in the trees when Verdi was really only concerned about the forest. Of course that does not mean that stage directors have not made sure that both of the above operas were well populated with women. I'm thinking of the Jean Pierre Ponnelle productions of both operas. I recall even seeming a BJ implied in his Italiana..

Well, I would bet the farm that there were supertitles. Even our local opera company which performs in a very small intimate theatre uses supertitles. It is the universal norm. I can't recall a performance (and that includes concert presentations) that I have attended in this century that have not featured titles. Plus, of late the translations have been quite accurate if contemporary in nature. Plus, what I was stating was obviously emphasizing what the Venitian censorship at that point in time considered to be offensive and cross the line. So no reason to LOL at that as who knows if likewise that was the straw that broke the camels back for @TruHart1's friend. Perhaps I should have given the Cliff Notes summation of the complete libretto and then placed that line in the proper context to illustrate my contention!

Bonus pic of the day... https://78.media.tumblr.com/31a814ff2c48541f37667fa864100762/tumblr_nuh5wprXQE1s695cio1_500.jpg