ByGD
The young emo Composer (Kate Lindsey). Alan Alabastro photo courtesy of Seattle Opera.
Long story short: A rich man has commissioned a tragic opera, “Ariadne auf Naxos,” to be performed at his party. He has also hired a commedia dell’arte troupe. At the last minute, he decides the program is too long and the two performances must be merged. Hijinks ensue. Read More
ByGD
Ariadne auf Naxos explores high/low art. The Prima Donna (Marcy Stonikas) with Zerbinetta (Rachele Gilmore). Elise Bakketun photo courtesy Seattle Opera
As I took my seat at the Seattle Public Library’s preview of Ariadne auf Naxos, I was reminded that in the opera world, 40 is young. Or maybe I’m just the only opera fan under 60 who is free to attend a lecture at 2 p.m. on a Wednesday. Of course the library hosts opera preview lectures at a number of different times and locations, which is fortunate because the lectures are very good. Read More
ByGD
My most popular post ever was about watching too many Asgeir Trausti sets at Iceland Airwaves in 2012. One of those shows was in a German pub so packed I couldn’t get close enough to take a good picture. In fact, I could only see the stage by standing on a bench. Even then, for part of the show a man standing directly in front of me blocked my view. Welcome to the Nordic countries, shorty!
Over the weekend I saw Asgeir four more times, and I saw two other shows in the same venue. One of them was a father/son duo playing chillwave; there was lots of room to spread out. The other was the band Reykjavik! That show was even more crowded than Asgeir, but I made it to the front anyway, had a blast, and left with torn clothes soaked through with other peoples’ sweat.
When I search that street on Google maps, I can’t find that German pub anymore. It looks like it has been replaced by a joint called The Dubliner.
ByGD
The first time I saw Rose Windows was at the Showbox Market in January 2013. Their album wasn’t even out yet. That makes me cool, right?
ByGD
For many years, I opted out of rock concerts. Then I went to Airwaves in 2012, where I fell off the vegetarian wagon in the wee hours of morning at the famous Baejarins Beztu hot dog stand. The hot dog was only a momentary lapse, but the concert-going stuck. A few weeks after I got home I saw Rose Windows, Pollens, and Cave Singers at the Showbox, and passed by this late night hot dog stand without the slightest temptation.