SHARING WITH ME

After having seen «Danser Sa Vie» again last week and taken the time to relax in front of the Nijinski’s rendition of «Afternoon of a Faun», it is not surprising that I opted for an exhibition which has just come out. «Debussy Music and the Arts» at the Orangerie in the Tuilerie gardens. «I love pictures almost as much as I love music» (Claude Debussy: 1911).  So I don’t forget. He was born in 1862 and died in 1918. Young as only 56. Crossing that marvelous period of the Impressionists, Fauvism, Cubism and the beginning of Modern and Abstract art...yet he said himself that at the end of his life he was not so inspired by the modern painters of that period. Difficult to believe this. However, his music still influences the ideas of composers right up to the present day. From what I saw, Klimt, Kandisky and Kupka were influenced by his music so I am sure that he too must have «seen notes» in their work. Although small, it’s a dizzy exhibition and shows without any doubt that his grea

On Tuesday evening I was invited to a recital with Grace Bumbry. I took Nicky along with me. I knew absolutely nothing about this mezzo-soprano. My friends didn’t either. From her photo, she was black and very beautiful - an undefinable age. We learn that she has a very rich background as an opera singer. Was asked by Frank Sinatra to sing at the inauguration of Ronald Reagan and in some ways this changes her repertory. Some of her favorite singers are Shirley Bassey, Gladys Knight, Barbara Streisand et Dionne Warwick and this is what the concert is to be all about. A beauty appears on the stage. 75 years. Moving slowly but oh what a voice. Memory lane jerks Nicky into tears and I was close. An interval yes, but the spectators don’t let her go at the end of the concert  and she comes back for three encores. A man calls out «And what are you doing for the rest of your life?» Her answer -  «Why? Are you a candidate?» USA Photo At the Chatelet theatre on Tuesday 6th