It's 200 years since Verdi was born and I have just realised that Radio 3 is having a fit of Verdi complete-itis. When I drove home on Thursday evening, it was to the accompagniment of Simon Boccanegra from Milan - Placido Domingo singing no less. 20 years ago, it was not performed at all. In the last few years, I have seen two productions. Yesterday evening it was Il Trovatore from the Met. It made the process of changing all the heddles round much pleasanter. I was not even cross when I dropped a shaft on the floor as I tried to re-install it. The shafts are all properly kitted out now and I have started winding on.
Michael, by the way, was not very keen on Verdi as a whole but he did like Simon Boccanegra and he would travel halfway across England to see a production of Falstaff. He was totally against Puccini and I had to threaten him to get him to Turandot which I happen to like. Threats, by the way, consisted of 'Very well then, I'll go by myself'. It worked every time.
Yesterday was the Bookbinders AGM and we took a load of stuff from a deceased bookbinder's studio to be sold. Most of it was taken. On a personal note, I suddenly realised that a guillotine was actually a greyboard guillotine!! so no more cutting covers out of greyboard with a knife!!! I am pleased. It will take A2. Now all I have to do is to find it a home! I also bought some nice Japanese paper and a bundle of handmade paper. I have not done a lot of bookbinding lately and I am missing it. The bookbinding class starts up next Wednesday and I have work to do before that. Must get on!!!
We are on the same wavelength here. Simon Boccanegra is my very favorite opera. Just hearing the overture makes my heart beat faster. Viva Verdi!
ReplyDeleteAnd the guillotine -– how wonderful. Cutting board by hand is the pits. Lucky you.