Image of the Day

In honour of my recent tour to Melbourne and the Tutankhamun exhibition, I thought to post what is in my mind, one of the most beautiful pieces from the collection.  In Melbourne until the 4th December.

Wotan's Last Ride

   

As a follow up to yesterday's post of Jay Hunter Morris as Siegfried, here is the prelude to Act 3, in my mind one of the most wondrous moments of all Der Ring des Nibelung.  This is from the current Met staging, Wotan being sung by Bryn Terfel.

Last night I watched the Valencia cycle Siegfried on DVD, I must say, some of the most impressive Wagnerian singing I have heard from contemporary singers and will surely be hard to beat.  As soon as I have finished Gotterdammerung I plan to post a review of the cycle.

Sneak Peak: Siegfried at the Met

   

Following the withdrawal of Gary Lehman from the Met's new production of Wagner's Siegfried, we have Jay Hunter Morris in this preview of the title role.  I am looking forward to this immensely, the comments on youtube being largely unkind, I will reserve my judgement until I have seen the entire broadcast.

After recently purchasing the Valencia Ring on DVD (Apart from my recent trip to Melbourne, this has been a large reason for my lack of posting lately, I am about to view Siegfried) this will make a nice contrast.  Expect a review of the Valencia Ring very soon.

Image of the Day

There appear to be quite a few images of Tebaldi in this Tosca costume, which appears to be her own.  It was nothing unusual for singers of that time and earlier to have their own costume for their signature roles.  Ljuba Welitsch for example, had her own set of Salome veils, which she even wore in the notorious Brook/Dali production at Covent Garden in 1949, after refusing the gowns designed by Dali himself!

These images have always been favourites of mine, showing La Tebaldi at her most divine.  Expect to see a few more of these over time.

New Work: l'Oiseau Rebelle

You can view my latest image in the Drama Queens gallery.  Once again, thanks be to Chaka Layla, who makes the perfect Carmen.

New Work: La Zingara

After an inspiring photoshoot with Chaka Layla on Sunday, this is my first offering, La Zingara.  You can view this in the Drama Queens gallery.  The costume is the model's own, the subject based on Prosper Merimee and Georges Bizet's heroine, Carmen.  There are a few more to come based on this theme, plus a Salome or two for good measure.

New Work

Part of the commission for the novel In The Theater Of The World for C. Benjamin Tracy was this map.  While at times a challenge, I am more than pleased with the finished result.  The novel is due for publication late October, more details as they come.  You can view a larger image in the Commissions gallery.

Image of the Day

Lovis Corinth - Salome

Tomorrow I have a photoshoot with the muse for my previous Salome painting, I looked at you and heard a strange music, in preparation for some upcoming images I have in mind, Salome being the subject of one or two of them.  

Image of the Day

Starting to get just a little bit excited about the prospect of seeing the Tutankhamun exhibition in just a couple of weeks.  This mannequin is one of my favourite artifacts from his tomb.