Breathing Curiosity
George Balanchine, born Georgy Melitonovich Balanchivadze on January 22 [January 9, Old Style], 1904, in St. Petersburg, Russia, was the most influential choreographer of classical ballet in the United States in the 20th century. His works, characterized by a cool neoclassicism, include The Nutcracker (1954) and Don Quixote (1965), both pieces choreographed for the New… Continue reading The Life You Give: George Balanchine *1904
In drama and music, the chorus refers to those who perform vocally in a group as opposed to those who perform singly. The chorus in Classical Greek drama was a group of actors who described and commented upon the main action of a play with song, dance, and recitation. Greek tragedy had its beginnings in… Continue reading The Chorus
Edgard Varèse: The Idol of My YouthBy Frank ZappaStereo Review, June, 1971I have been asked to write about Edgard Varèse. I am in no way qualified to. I can't even pronounce his name right. The only reason I have agreed to is because I love his music very much, and if by some chance this… Continue reading “The Idol of My Youth” (Zappa on Varèse)
Nostradamus (Michel de Notredame, born December 14, 1503, Saint-Rémy, France, was an astrologer and physician, and the most widely read seer of the Renaissance.Nostradamus began his medical practice in Agen, sometime in the 1530s, despite not only never having taken a medical degree but also apparently having been expelled from medical school. In 1544 he… Continue reading The Life You Give: Nostradamus *1503
First woman with one Nobel Prize, first human with two.
Composed and written by Alexander Borodin (1833-1887), adapted from the ancient Russian epic The Lady of Igor’s Host, the opera was completed posthumously by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov, and premiered on November 4 1890, at the Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg. Join us today — November 4th — in celebration, listening to the complete work… Continue reading Prince Igor, opera by Alexander Borodin
The Metropolitan Opera opened on October 22 1883
Female Icon!
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.Nelson Mandela — born on a day like today, July 18 1918
World Trade Center, Manhattan, NY
Sila Blume 