Monday, January 30, 2006

Mozart Contest


Check out the CBC "Do you have a little Mozart in you" contest website -- http://www.cbc.ca/mozart/contest.html. Each contestant had to write variations on a melody from The Magic Flute and the winner will get $1000! All the entries are by people 19 and under. Quite impressive. I get a kick out of #3 by a kid named Johannes... it sounds like Mozart meets Boney M. There is also a hiphop version, which is quite funny. Enjoy!

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Leonie Rysanek video

Go to www.parterre.com - this Parterre Box, the online Queer Opera Zine. There, you will find clips from the late soprano Leonie Rysanek... one of my faves. Note: this is not necessarily pretty music, but it will provoke a strong reaction! So, go in with open ears! I think she is awesome.

Vancouver Haiku, Jan 28

Soymilk chai latte,
Organic bison burger,
$30.41?

Who do you tell about your blog?

I just got a really weird phone message from my family - I think they were making fun of my blog. Which is why I didn't email them about it at first. Oh well. I can't help it if I'm clever and want to share my ideas with the world. Ha!

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Recipe

Here is a very good recipe for chili. Not the authentic variety.. sort of improvised. I am sure if any legitimate southwestern cook saw this, they would see red. I made it the other day, and it turned out quite nicely!

2-3 tbsp olive oil (or bacon fat... what a scandal. But let me tell you, does it taste good!)
1 lb ground beef (optional for you vegetarian folk)
2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tbsp whole cumin seed, lightly crushed (you can grind these in a mortar and pestle, or even better, put them in a ziplock bag and bash with a rolling pin) .. I like to toast the cumin seeds in a dry skillet for a few minutes on medium heat before using them... just cook them, stirring, until they are fragrant.
2 tbsp chili powder
cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or hot pepper sauce (to taste)
1 green pepper, chopped
1 28 oz can diced plum tomatoes, with juice
2 cans libby's deep brown beans (the vegetarian kind)
2 cans red kindey beans, drained and rinsed
1 can mushrooms, drained and rinsed
1 can corn niblets, drained and rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
pinch sugar

In a dutch oven, brown the beef in half the oil (or bacon fat if using). Set aside.
In same pot, add remaining oil. When oil is hot, add onions, carrot and green pepper. Cook until vegetables are softened and onion is translucent. Add garlic and spices. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Bring mixture to the boil, stir, reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 20-30 minutes or until flavours are combined. Correct seasoning. Tastes really good if made ahead. Freezes well.

I like to top it with home made guacamole (chopped avocadoes, lime juice, salt and pepper, a touch of garlic, chopped red onion)... or some shredded cheese and sour cream. You can serve it with rice, tortillas or corn chips.

Concert!

I just wanted to let you know about a concert I am singing in next weekend! The concert is sort of a musical travelogue through Italy. I will be singing selections from Tosca, Gianni Schicchi and Eine Nacht in Venedig. I think it wll be fun! The concert takes place at the Vancouver Academy of Music next Friday and Saturday Nights (Feb 3 and Feb 4) at 7:30. Here is the
website for more info: http://www.vam.bc.ca/pages/events/italsongs.html

Vancouver Haiku - Jan 27

Okay... so I write humerous Haiku poems about Vancouver, becuase Vancouver is kind of a weird place...

Raining Cats and Dogs
Crowded Bus won't stop for me
Seven-Ten AM

Wekcome to my world!


Well, where to start! I am an aspriging opera singer who lives in Vancouver, and I am quite fanatical about opera, to tell you the honest truth. But the real thing - none of this Andrea Bocelli Il Divo Charlote Church Crap. I am talking pedal to the medal, luscious music making.
Right now I am listening to Franco Corelli sing Andrea Chenier, and it is sublime... I would give my firstborn child to have had the opportunity to have heard him live... How can an ordinary human possess a voice like that? I just got 2 amazing recordings... one of him singing Poliuto, and one of La Vestale, where he sings Licinius. Both are with Callas. Unbelievable. I am starting to discover more about the early 19th century - I am beginning to "dig" composers like Spontini, Cherubini and Mehul... I think that these composers will be the next big thing, once the whole baroque craze gets tired (which I hope it does.... at least doing baroque music with anemic voices! I read about a production of L'incororonazione di Poppea in Paris in the 70's with Vickers and Gwyneth Jones... now that would have been good!) .. Anyway, I like how the music of these composers is heroic, and yet very restrained at the same time. I am also listening to more Gluck opera this time.. But let's be fair here, lest you think I am a nerd or something... Nothing tops Aida.

Well, I think that's enough for my first posting! I look forward to hearing from all you old school
heart on sleeve opera lovers...

-heldenhobbit.....

PS - where does the name heldenhobbit come from? Well, people say I look like a hobbit (I'd rather look like Viggo Mortensen, but I digress), but I have a "full" (read loud) singing voice...
Besides, let's be honest here... don't you think Tolkien was plagarizing the Ring Cycle, just a little bit?