Monday, November 9, 2009

Blog for Lachie

Lachlan, our assistant intern has encouraged me to write a blog.

As if I don’t have enough to do!

Coping with Victorian Opera on a day-to-day basis is really a full-time gig.

Taking time out, therefore to write a blog, whilst it may seem to be an imposition, is actually very refreshing.

On the other hand what do I say?

Straight after the most amazing week-end in Morundah in southern New South Wales, performing Hans Krasa’s opera Brundibar, with 68 children from all over that region.

Entartete Musik, the Nazis called it; debased music from the prison camp of Terezin.



In Germany during the 1930s there was a race of brain-dead, low-life Nazis who classified music as debased.

Naturally it was music composed by Jews.

The children of the Terezin prison camp, the camp which fooled the Red Cross and became the GREAT GERMAN LIE, performed Brundibar approximately opera fifty times.

Only a very few children survived; the Nazis made sure that they gassed as much culture as they could.

Lately this opera has been performed often to remind us of how inhuman human beings can be towards each other and my mate Bill says ‘blow, blow thou winter wind, thou art no so unkind as man’s ingratitude’

Even though we call ourselves civilized, human beings are still capable of hating and detesting each other.

Remembering that this is a blog I shouldn’t get too carried away with pet hobby-horses.

Auntie Josie, a favourite aunt of mine (she would be 109 this year had not her maker called her prematurely) loved singing and said if we all sang the world would be a better place.

Naturally, when I was a child I thought that this was a strange idea; now I think she was right.

The children of Terezin sang; they triumphed with song: this is an opera blog – we’ll be singing.



RG

8 comments:

  1. Welcome to the blogosphere! You'll have to get your intern to show you how to twitter it as well - social media at its best.
    This is a fascinating subject - thank-you for the information as there is still much for humanity to learn about the unthinkable actions that fill the void of blackness that inhabits the soul and also the opposite - the spirit which inhabits the innocence of children. Keep up the wonderful work!
    Helen O'Brien

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  2. Thanks for joining us Richard. I look forward to keeping up with your postings and will pass the link on to my friends.

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  3. have thoroughly enjoyed your insights into the Opera. shall look forward to reading your blogs as the year progresses. Please do not stop doing it and ignore the twitter entreaty - blogging is so much better

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  4. Richard, I think you are wonderful.
    Talented, humorous and encouraging to young performers.
    Good on you!

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  5. Sure glad I can handle my lactose!!

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  6. 'this is a blog I shouldn’t get too carried away with pet hobby-horses'. Richard, there is far too much namby pamby we-mustn't-offend-anyone pc talk around. I've long respected your willingness to speak well-considered opinions. Now is not the time to stop. Head kicking should be an olymic sport. So feed ya hobby-horse mate. And remember that horse manure is environmentally friendly.

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  7. Thank you for explaining the origins of the Brundibar opera. I think it's just marvellous that you've given children the opportunity to particpate in the experiencing the joy of music - wish I could have seen them peform. As someone who's never been near a blog before - I'm all for more of it!

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  8. Lachie's a genius!

    Looking forward to every entry in this blog!

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