Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Valiant Vagabonds Varnishing Violet Vertabrae



ABC Wednesday
 is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. Over time, others have joined in to help host this wonderful and informative meme. We are now in our ELEVENTH round with 'Captain Roger' at the helm! Some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "V".



VERDI


( Guiseppe Verdi: image from Wikipedia)

One of my most favorite operas is "La Traviata". I never tire of it. Nor do I quite understand why I like it so much more than other operas. Although, there isn't anything that Verdi has written that I don't like.
I've never been to New York City. I know that should I ever visit there, I would want it to coincide with the opera season and go see something at the Met. And, if fate and providence are on my side, they would be doing the production of La Traviata that they just staged this past season. I caught it on PBS (public broadcasting station) yesterday. It was riveting and I was mesmerized with this re-staging. It was brilliant! I love that the Met is now taking more creative license in their productions than they ever have before. They have breathed new life in these works and now stand a good chance at capturing a younger audience.
Natalie Dessay, who plays the role of Violetta takes command of her role in every sense of the word. The set is a modern and minimalist set. It is nothing short of brilliant. If you've ever seen the traditional version of this production, you will find this re-staging shocking (and for me, shocking in a good way). I was transported. Elevated. Mesmerized. Riveted. Moved to tears and sobbing long before it concluded.
I found the full length production of this on You Tube (who would have thought?). If you feel up to it, sit down and watch it. Total run time is two hours, 31 minutes and 10 seconds. If you love opera, you will enjoy this production perhaps as much as I have. Violetta and Verdi. Oh, yes.






VOTATRESS


(image from my personal collection of glass plate negatives)


Votatress: a girl or a woman votary: also spelled votress.
vo·ta·ry   /ˈvōtərē/
A person, such as a monk or nun, who has made vows of dedication to religious service




VAMBRACE

(image from Rohan Armor site)

Vambrace: in plate armor, the piece which protects the arm between the elbow and the wrist.



VADEMECUM




Vademecum: Latin phrase for handbook.
I chose this image of the Physicians Desk Reference (also known as PDR) as there was a  point in time where I had it around my house a lot (back in the late '80's and early '90's). I had my own copy as I wanted to understand more about things that were so readily prescribed (especially since my mother, when she was alive at that time, seemed to be on so many pharmaceuticals). It was my vademecum at that time.



10 comments:

Cindi said...

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing the opera clip. I've never seen one and now am intrigued!

Roger Owen Green said...

Ha. You did V two weeks in a row! See? Entertaining, nonetheless!

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Meryl said...

Loved the clip - thank you! Have a joyous and meaningful holiday.

Sylvia K said...

One of favorite operas, too!! Love the clip!! Fun post for the day as always, Paula!! I want to wish you and your family a most wonderful and Merry Christmas!! Enjoy!!

Sylvia

photowannabe said...

Love the Opera and another wonderful delve into the alphabet.

carol l mckenna said...

Lots of creative items here for V ~

(A Creative Harbor ~ aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^

Happy Holidays to you ^_^

Leslie: said...

Paula, Paula, Paula - did you forget that last week was V? LOL Anyway, you get extra points for doubling up...love your choices!

Leslie
abcw team

Joy said...

Well worth repeating a V for Verdi. How marvellous that the full thing is on You Tube, what a find. It is a striking staging. They have a Saturday opera slot on BBC3 radio so there is a regular "Live from the Met" broadcast, by coincidence they are there this weekend broadcasting Barber of Seville.

EJ said...

It's still entertaining even if it's V and not W.

Wedding
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Mama Pajama said...

brilliant...thanks!

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