Everyone is anxious at the idea of “going back to school” and leaving their calm country life to resume the traffic jams in Paris and the craziness of la Rentrée. September is traditionally intense and this year, it is ten times more so since all the weddings, art openings, book launches of June have been postponed till September. So to … Read More
A Swiss Soprano in Crans illuminates l’Instant Lyrique’s season
It was the fourth Instant Lyrique performance in Crans Montana, and Sophie de Ségur who instigated this series of high level recitals through Fondation Eurydice, was particularly relieved this year to be able to go forward with the evening. The guest star was Swiss soprano Chiara Skerath who comes from Tessin like the Mayor of Crans, Nicolas Féraud, who is … Read More
A private concert on the waterside at Villa May
When she had lunch last June with her cousin, French cellist Dominique de Williencourt, Béatrice Bouchacourt, our hostess, was horrified to hear that this great musician and composer had to cancel all his concerts of the summer, in Korea, China and most of Europe, because of the pandemic. She and her husband Hervé Couffin, invited him to play in their … Read More
Deconfinement, Edouard Philippe, Emmanuel Kasarérhou and John Neumeier
Why would Prime Minister Edouard Philippe have breakfast at café Ballu, a few blocks from his apartment, if not for political reasons? We are getting ready to vote again for the municipals on June 28, and this young woman seen from the back could be 46 year old Delphine Bürkli, who is standing for reelection as mayor of the 9 … Read More
In Moulins, the Center for stage costume is open and fun!
Since all operas and theaters are closed, the Center for Stage costume in Moulins (Centre de costume de scène) seems the closest way to being in a theatre again (until November)… This very special “vault of fashion” opened by Martine Kahane and Christian Lacroix in July 2006, keeps 20 000 costumes which belong to the Paris Opera, the Comédie Française … Read More
News from Confinement around the world
A lawyer friend who lives in Brazil has sent me this picture of a paradise island, Angra dos Reis, near Paraty, south of Rio de Janeiro, which has been recorded since 1502. Turtles and peacocks seem to be sharing his daily routine… My comment on dogwoods not growing in France, has prompted many of you to send more pictures, so … Read More
Prix de Lausanne, a magical ballet moment
For its 48 th edition, Prix de Lausanne was being held at the Stravinski Theatre in Montreux, which overlooks the Lac Léman, a few hundred meters from where Lord Byron sojourned. The three days I spent there seeing the 77 competitors dance for their life, were emotional and beautiful. The Prize funded in 1973, by Philippe and Elvire Braunschweig, to … Read More
Anna Politkovskaya remembered at Le 104
Anna Politkovskaya (1958-2006) became famous for her reporting on the Chechnyan war and she died for it. As a Russian journalist, she was constantly intimidated and threatened by the regime, arrested on suspicion of spying, and was finally assassinated in the elevator of her building. A beautiful text, “Donna non rieducabile memorandum teatrale” was written in 2007 by Italian playwright Stefano Massini. … Read More