Die Zauberflöte

One of my birthday presents this year was two tickets for Die Zauberflöte at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. And that is where Oliver and I went yesterday evening. I must admit I particularly like the this opera house: it has a beautiful theatre with a spectacular ceiling, the bar areas both upstairs and downstairs are very well designed and last but certainly not least I always enjoy their performances. (It was a little chilly so if you ever go there make sure to dress warm enough.)

Die Zauberflöte is one of my favourite operas, and it was a genuine pleasure to see it performed live for the first time. What surprised us most is the many funny things they added to the live performance: on several occasions all the audience was laughing out loud! Papageno and Papagena were wonderful and the Queen of the Night exceptional! I can definitely recommend this production!

The state of Italy, or "Researcher of long life claimed by the US"

On Wednesday last week the Italian newspaper L'Arena, the newspaper for the town of Verona and its province, published the following article. Scroll down to read the original version in Italian.

"GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VERONA, LUIGI FONTANA

Researcher of long life claimed by the US

He researches the link between food and long life aiming to find the scientific formula for long life and good health. But the Unites States are not willing to "give him back to us": this is LUIGI FONTANA, 39 years old and a degree in medicine from the university in Verona. He does not consider himself a "drained brain", he prefers to think of his brain as "borrowed". Fontana spends three months on, three months off, alternating between Rome (he is a researcher at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità) and the US, where he is assistant professor at the Washington University of St. Louis. He would like to move back to Italy but his desire "collides" with those of his American bosses: they are not letting him go by offering him advancements and career opportunities. His latest research findings? The ideal diet to live up to 30% longer does not exceed 1,800 calories a day."

A note from Sonia: I feel that an Italian audience might not get the irony of this article.

Original article as published on L'Arena on 20th February 2008:

"LAUREATO A VERONA. LUIGI FONTANA

Studia la lunga vita, gli Usa lo reclamano

Studia il nesso tra alimentazione e longevità, per trovare la formula scientifica di una vita duratura ed in buona salute. E gli Stati Uniti non vogliono «restituircelo»: è LUIGI FONTANA, 39 anni ed una laurea in Medicina presa a Verona. Non vuole definirsi un «cervello fuggito»: semmai, «prestato». FONTANA, vive per tre mesi a Roma (è ricercatore all’Istituto superiore di sanità) e per tre mesi negli Usa, dove è assistent professor alla Wahington University di St.Louis. Vorrebbe ritornare in patria, ma si «scontra» con i suoi capi statunitensi: non vogliono lasciarlo andare e per questo gli offrono avanzamenti e opportunità. La sua ultima ricerca? Ipotizza che la dieta ideale, per vivere fino al 30% di anni in più, sia quella che non supera le 1800 calorie al giorno."

To Brits or not to Brits

I find music programmes and competitions very interesting - new and old talents mix, you get to know something more about each of them. Now I know that Adele is a boring person, that Leona Lewis has a marvellous voice and that the Osbournes are complete nutters. Nothing new about the latter you may say...

The idea of artists and musicians has changed drastically. Globalisation I suppose. Now you've got to play the excentric and hang out your "logo", otherwise you disappear among the others. All these artists were playing their role very hard trying to impress. But then Paul MacCartney comes along.... and you see what a real musician really is like: comfortable on stage, a short poignant speech, great music, involving the crowd and an amazing show.

Naturally in his environment.

Does the world need another blog?

Having just celebrated yet another birthday (and allowed time for my hungover to ease) I finally decided to materialise an idea I've had in my mind for some time. Telling the world what I think. Well, maybe not the whole world will read this blog. In fact it would be rather unlikely and presumptious of me to think so, but I like to think that my words will inspire you.

And yes, I'm excited!