Dido

Dido was last night in Manchester Cathedral. I want to remember it forever. It is one of the best experiences I have ever, ever had. I am too tired to write properly, but it was just… Yeah. amazing.

Thank you to everyone who made it so special by being there, particularly S, E, and Auntie P and Uncle P, and anyone else reading this who was there.

Posted: June 1, 2008 Comments (6)

Another slice of vice

I’m so happy that yesterday my final project deadline has been extended by two whole weeks!

I celebrated all day long. Well, I went to uni and did hours of research, then celebrated.

Firstly by buying two pairs of shoes - one for my friend *Despina*’s wedding in Prague in August, one for stomping around Italy. Then I met a friend and we went to church and prayed a rosary together. It was the first time I’d ever done it, and I really enjoyed it.

Afterwards I noticed that I was being stared at as we walked through the park, and put it down either to his delicious Ted Baker suit, or the huge sunglasses I was wearing (alas, not Ted Baker). He told me it was because I’m gorgeous, which is probably not true, but made me feel good at least! We met up with a fantastic friend of his, a girl very much after my own heart, and several gin and tonics later, I had my first visit to a boys’ school, where my friend is house master.

Then somehow ended up going out and having white wine and moules, yet again! In Café Rouge this time - they were ok but not as good as the Italian ones we’d had the previous time. And then a long conversation about everything, and then three desserts and then more conversation, and a trip to a cocktail bar where the beautiful people are reputed to go, but I don’t find these so-called beautiful people very beautiful. (There’s nothing beautiful about starting drunken arguments about football management and saying the word "fuck" at the top of your voice, whilst drinking imported lager and wearing nasty designer wear.)

And then I got home, which is not something I remember very clearly, except for the point where I was sitting in the taxi aah-ing along to the Tristan prelude and receiving some strange looks for it.

Today I am celebrating by not doing uni stuff. I am learning to make carrot cake. It’s going well so far.

And then moules and Bellinis planned with S for next weekend when I see him - keep him in your prayers because he’s really not so well at the moment. I am so excited about seeing him, it’s really very inappropriate.

Then tomorrow I’m off out for "drinks" - read drinks, expensive food somewhere beautiful and possible carnage - with someone rather sweet. (I can’t come to a decision about what I want from him at the moment, but he knows this, and it’s nice to have him around. And he makes me laugh until I find myself in tears, which is always good!)

I suppose I really should stop being quite so gluttonous. It can’t be good for me. But I love my fabulous lifestyle, and there are other vices than gluttony of which I need to rid myself with more urgency.

What are your favourite vices? Please tell me about them, or simply indulge in one for me!

Posted: April 24, 2008 Comments (3)

My readers are darlings!

  1. Happy Christmas Miss Despina! I know whatever you’re doing, you’ll be doing it with 100 per cent committment! Attagirl!

    Mya x

    Comment by Mya — December 23, 2007 @ 6:41 pm | Edit This

  2. Happy Christmas from all the Beaufoixs Despina. Hope you and Jez have a fab time.

    Comment by Jo Beaufoix — December 23, 2007 @ 7:11 pm | Edit This

  3. Hi Despina,
    I have been checking in with you from time to time and wondering whether everything was alright, so glad to hear that you’re doing OK.
    I hope that you have a very Happy Christmas …and I wish you all the best for 2008…
    Lots of love
    xx

    Comment by Stratford Girl — December 23, 2007 @ 8:14 pm | Edit This

  4. Dearest Despina,

    May you and yours enjoy all blessings of good health, love, prosperity, and success in 2008.

    Thank you for being such a lovely blog friend!

    Bacioni ed abbraccioni, vilaine fille

    Comment by vilaine fille — December 26, 2007 @ 2:07 am | Edit This

  5. Dear Despina,
    I wish you and Jez a wonderful 2008!
    Love,
    Saffron

    Comment by Saffron — December 26, 2007 @ 12:57 pm | Edit This

  6. Hey lovely Despina,

    Have not been around the blogs recently but I assumed that you were busy with chrimbo activities too. I really hope all is well with you. Sending you lots of hugs..

    Comment by sugar007 — December 29, 2007 @ 2:20 pm | Edit This

  7. I’m glad :)
    Can’t wait to see you in 2008!!
    xxx

    Comment by mags — December 29, 2007 @ 6:30 pm | Edit This

Posted: January 2, 2008 Comments (0)

For want of some objectivity

Bravo dear Despina,
What a wonderful performance.  Jonathan (the accompanist) said that you were singing much better than students at the college at the end of their study.
Plenty of musicians there today and the ones I spoke to were full of praise. 
I thought you might like to read a little report.
 
‘The overall performance showed commitment to musicality with an above average maturity in approach to interpretation.   There was perfect intonation throughout with an enchanting personality displayed connecting with the audience with an arrow through their hearts.  The quality of the voice was even and secure throughout  the range with the dynamic range from piano to fortissimo controlled  apparently effortlessly.
The programme:-
Arne and Purcell - The ornamentation was exquisitely delicate, clear and true.  Phrasing was just right with an easy control.
Pergolesi - an admirable subtlety here and a beautiful line of tone.  The varied dynamics were glorious with the fortissimo tones rich and unforced.
Messiah - Exactly the right approach and I loved the gentle portamento up to the top note which was repeated exactly the second time. 
Mozart Exultate.  The exultation was there to see and hear.  This was thrilling and the low notes were round, rich and secure.
Faure - Your love for this showed and you cast exactly the right mood.  This was very moving.
Rinaldo.  A lovely line of tonality moving from note to note with a musical and graceful phrasing.
The Mozart,  The Porgi amor was poised and beautifully sung but I could see a Suzanna rather than a Countess.
Deh vieni - Absolutely the right sound and characterisation, exquisitely sung and very convincing.
In uomini - Again the characterisation was just delightful and absolutely right.
O mio babbino caro - The appealing nature of this was pitched perfectly and then in the Quando m’en vo you charmed the pants off all the men!! This was utterly charming and delightful.  The lady next to me said ‘Carmen?
Dvorak, -The language convinced.  This was a lovely soaring melodic line of sound.  Those low B flats so round and easy.
Well done Despina.
Now Jonathan.  I think the audience - who were expecting great things from you anyway -had a shock and surprise listening to the Chopin.   I think he made himself a few friends today.  I am no judge of pianists but the performance seemed very good to me and was enjoyed by all.
Lots of love.
PS I loved the boy friend and I was delighted that people thought I was your mum.   Ah!!!
Posted: November 14, 2007 Comments (6)