Being serenaded by Placido

Having earthquakes has its upside – world famous opera stars honouring us with their presence for example. Placido Domingo has always been my favourite tenor. I can take or leave Pavarotti and never liked Jose Carreras, but Domingo is a sort of baritone tenor and I find his voice rich and satisfying.

He can act as well. I first saw him on film in a version of Carmen which screened at a film festival way back, playing opposite the sexiest Carmen I have ever seen. I came out of the theatre feeling as though my spirit had just been to a banquet. He followed up not much later with a film version of Otello which was equally spellbinding and passionate.

He’s getting on a bit now, but he looks after his voice by conducting rather than singing all the time. You’ll need to get in quick to get a ticket because they’re selling fast despite the hefty price tag.

If you miss out though, we can provide you with some great  recordings as CDs, or streamed on your computer through Music Online or Naxos Online Music Library, and even online videos in Naxos Online Video Library.

Hip hop, Handel, machismo in movies: the Fine Arts and Music Collection

The Fine Arts and Music Collection covers all subjects artsy: from drama to music, to art history, dance and filmmaking. Information is provided on hundreds of arts-related topics from:

• Hip hop to Handel;
• Art theory to machismo in movies;
• Ballet to belly dancing;
• Early music education to advanced music theory;
• Art therapy to the new urbanist movement in architecture.

With more than 150 full text journals this electronic resource is ideal for supporting any questions that students, artists, teachers, art buffs and music lovers may have.

Fine arts and music collection and many other useful electronic resources can be found in the Source.  Access this from home with your library card number and PIN, or at our open community libraries.