Mikado

Before I rev up the engines and get into all things Tomatis, a bit of fun is in order.  And I can't think of anything more silly and fun than Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado.   I've performed in two different productions at The New York City Opera.  The latter was Jonathan Miller's version: all white and black and red (there's a joke there somewhere), set in the 1930's with English accents, arched manners, pince-nez, and an alarming raked stage.  Now that took some getting used too.

Did you know that Alberto Randegger  (please see my post on his teaching ) was associated with the D'Oyly Cart Company?  It seems that the famous vocal pedagogues of the 19th century had their fingers in all kinds of music.  But then, those who sang 'modern' music were classically trained.
 

Speaking of the things English: I once came upon a complete set of blue and white Victorian luncheon/tea china in the 'Mikado' pattern in a Toronto antique shop and to this day regret not bringing it home.  But then I don't have to live up to Oscar Wilde's famous utterance, do I? 


 

I think a little Darjeeling is in order.  Just the thing to get the brain in gear.