The Flatland Chronicles

Starving Elephant Artisans (Elephants that Can---and Do---Paint)

Here is a wonderful and very touching video of elephants painting.  Yes, painting.   Apparently they like to.  The organization that posted the video writes:

Can your elephant paint? Watch this elephant, rescued from abusive treatment in Burma, now paint an amazing self portrait. You'll be amazed at how his talent unfolds.

So touched by their horrific backgrounds and loving personalities, ExoticWorldGifts.com now supports, "Starving Elephant Artisans" by selling their paintings so they can continue to have a new life in Thailand.  (ExoticWorldGifts)

It isn't a hoax or anything.  There are a number of videos posted of these painting elephants.

Soundtracks of My Life: Operatic Gender-Benders: Nicklausse & Prince Orlofsky!

Some of the best rolls for mezzos and contraltos involve playing snide young men.  Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, for example; Nicklausse in Hoffman.  As a 16-18 year old, I naturally imagined myself playing only the really glamorous roles:  Carmen; or Giulietta.  Mezzo-sopranos can, and do, sing those roles.

But that doesn't mean I wasn't fascinated watching Hoffman's Muse appear as his wise-ass sidekick Nicklausse.  Or by the very special views which Prince Orlofsky expresses on the subject of hospitality.

Here are some stellar performances.

Soundtracks of My Death: From Mendelssohn's Elijah: "Then Shall the Righteous..."

This has always been one of my favorite arias from Mendelssohn's Elijah.  As a young aspiring singer some thirty years ago, I wanted to sing it myself and I often used to try.   Alas, I was a rather weak mezzo-soprano and couldn't nail the high notes.  I usually don't find I am drawn to this sort of religious theme or anthem, but it's Mendelssohn, and it really is uplifting, even if you don't (and, though a certified God-botherer, I do not) believe in a conventional heaven or heavenly realm.

If I were to die, as of course I someday will, I would want this song performed or played----a recording would be fine----at my memorial service, just to remind people that death is just a transition and that you might as well assume that it is a joyful one.  I don't see myself as 'righteous' especially, but I've got to believe based on the available evidence that God actually has fairly low standards.  I'm thinking the bar has got to be pretty low.

The Soundtracks of My Life---Mozart Requiem: "Domine Jesu"; The Messiah: "And He Shall Purify"; Elijah: "Lord, Bow Thine Ear to Our Prayer"

Back in my younger days, I performed both these oratorios---not as a principal of course; I didn't have that sort of talent.  But I did love singing in the chorus, even though my music reading skills were set at "illiterate" and I often had to just mouth the words.  My ear wasn't that reliable either.  Even so, I fondly imagined that it would all eventually come to me.  It didn't, which is just as well, as I only ever had a passable voice. 

I always seem to favor the songs that aren't quite so widely loved as the usual standards.  Hearing these really took me back.