So many terrible things to mourn about the Tucson tragedy….and since it happened in the shadow of Tombstone, we are in for a serious round of OK Corral references. Here’s one from Timothy Egan titled “Tombstone Politics” from today’s NYT: And Gail Collins quotes Giffords herself after her office was vandalized: Giffords brushed off the [...]

Loved The King’s Speech.  Not too many films run the gamut from soliciting belly laughs to cheers and tears. But I was informed by my daughter that applause at movies was one of her pet peeves.  I hope she took my enthusiastic clapping as more mischievous than mean. I liked her explanation of “pet peeves” [...]

There was some booing last night, when director Willy Decker came on stage…but not a lot.  Good thing, because this is the most exciting Traviata in years. I could write two reviews of last night’s New Year’s Eve premiere of La Traviata. My opera partner Charlie and I were there with six opera novices, who [...]