Lovely lovely sunny Saturday. Sun shining, gentle breeze and the heart lifts. I am also having a totally idle day, seem to be having quite a few of those lately, but please don't think I am complaining, the joy of time to myself is wonderful.
Work up early, as ever, cup of tea and back to bed with an Katie Fforde, Wild Designs, one of my faves and read it in an hour or so and then up and breakfast. Leisurely shower and then round to a friend for coffee and gossip. Then home and another good friend dropped by, more coffee and gossip, some of it of a salacious and giggly nature (our respective offspring would be shocked) and then I sat down to watch the FA Cup Final in which Chelsea were playing Everton. I have supported Chelsea for yonks and years ago used to go to Stamford Bridge and stand in the notorious 'Shed' end where the real toughs used to be found. I had a run in there once with a skinhead (yes they were fashionable then) who was making mock of my 'posh' voice and he got quite offensive and so I let rip a stream of abuse which left him speechless. Upon which he offered me a drink and by the end of the match we had become great friends (to show you how long ago this was, Chelsea were at home to Manchester United whose star player at the time was George Best) and at the end of the match he cleared a path for me and my then boyfriend to the exit by dint of bellowing even worse abuse at everyone in his way. The crowd parted like magic (this was in the stands so it was pretty horrendous). He then shook my hand and disappeared and I was left looking at Robin (yes I know the name Robin does not seem to match a Chelsea supporter) who was appalled at my behaviour and language and stomped off never to be seen again. Personally, I think he was scared witless and wanted to get away as quickly as possible. He was no loss.
Anyway, after all this totally useless preamble, I settled down to watch the match, Everton scored a goal in the first 25 seconds, fastest in Cup Final HIstory I gather, and then I promptly fell asleep.... woke up in the second half to find Chelsea had equalised and then Frank Lampard let in a screamer to win the match later. So a celebratory cup of tea and now I am sitting here, in total contrast, listening to The Flying Dutchman with Bryn Terfel in the title role which is on Radio 3 and is the performance I saw this year (and here is my earlier burblings if you wish to revisit them here). In case anybody who reads Random is in any doubt, I adore Bryn Terfel and think his voice is quite magnificent. Have just heard the first act big aria which was the piece of music I heard him sing when he impinged on our consciousness int he Cardiff Singer of the World years ago. It was fantastic then and is wonderful now.
I have a feeling I am wittering, in fact I know I am, so will bring this to an end but just to mention that I had a telephone call from the Opera House yesterday (of course I told them I could not sing at such short notice....) in response to my blistering email re the cancellation by Mr Florez of the Barber of Seville performance I was booked in to see. Very nice lady called Hannah, full of apologies and so sorry for the upset. Told her what I thought of opera singers who do not keep their word and we ended up having a really good chat. And the upshot of all this? I now am the owner of two tickets for another performance and just as good, if not better, than the ones I had for the cancelled date. When I asked how she managed to get these tickets, she was a tad evasive and said they had managed to 'scramble some together'. My feeling is that most people would have accepted the cancellation and that would have been that, but Battleaxes like me (who have been a Friend for years) who don't take it lying down and who have complained, have had their tickets honoured. Whatever the reason, I was most grateful and told her how much I appreciated the call. So Mr Florez had better turn up that is all I can say or There Will be Trouble (and being gorgeous will Not Save You).
Well, sure you have been totally riveted by this post so I will spare you now and off to put the kettle on (yes my lovely new one) and make another cup of tea (chorus going like the clappers at the moment. They were augmented for this production and the sound was stunning).
Oh and I have been sent notice that Bryn is singing a concert of opera arias at the Royal Festival Hall in November. So no food this week then.......
Damn.
