New members.

[Sarastro]

I have strong ties with Russia, and Saratov is not unknown to me.....

Really? We have a very nice conservatory with a real Organ, the third Philharmonics in Russia...the theater...what did you do there?

And why can't I start a new topic here? 

[knight66]

There ought to be nothing to stop you starting a new topic. Go to the room for the general subject, click on 'New Topic', just above 'Last Post' on the right hand side. You should then have template screen, give it a name and away you go. Let us know if it continues to be a problem.

Mike

[Sarastro]

There ought to be nothing to stop you starting a new topic. Go to the room for the general subject, click on 'New Topic', just above 'Last Post' on the right hand side. You should then have template screen, give it a name and away you go. Let us know if it continues to be a problem.

Mike

I wanted to start it here, at the Diner...as it is some kind of off topic, and at the other hand it's not off topic and concerns opera. 

[uffeviking]

Come on, Sarastro, be adventurous and give it a try at the Opera and Vocal section. We need stuff to talk about there, and the worst that could happen to you, is that I, a moderator, tell you it's in the wrong place and I move it to where it should be! 

uffeviking

[Sarastro]

Come on, Sarastro, be adventurous and give it a try at the Opera and Vocal section.

I can't do it there too. 

[bhodges]

Let me then introduce myself too. 

My name is Vladimir, I was born and then lived for 17 years in Saratov (on the Volga river), Russia (it was very cold in winter too there!). Then we suddenly immigrated to USA...so I'm here approximately a year and a half.

Two years ago I heard a little passage from the second Queen of the night aria and then my introduction to opera began (I was looking for that aria in the Internet - that was the first thing I looked for in the Internet and my beginning of using it, I'd never gone in the Internet before). I can say that before my mother took me to some ballets, operas, classical music concerts...but without any success  and once I even told her that would never go to theater again. Anyway...you never know what will happen to you some day. During those two years I heard a lot...but still opera is my favorite genre of them all. Different styles, different composers...though I'm just enrolled and don't know much Wagner and Vivaldi (he did a lot of wonderful operas!), the second half of the 20-th century...though I was lucky enough to visit Metropolitan opera, listen to domingo, Pons, Netrebko and Villazon (and very proud of it  )...and I'm happy that I found that classical music forum.

The only problem is that my stepfather now and my mother (just fancy! he was trying to make me love classical music and now...) are very angry with my hobby, and say it's abnormal and I can't listen to opera so much, that I'm mad. It's a little funny, but mostly sad.

I also like designing (fashion designing - here in California I even brought my works to the design institute, but my parents told that I'd be a designer over their dead bodies. so I'll be an engineer, it's not bad too, I think, as I studied in a physics-mathematics school in Russia), swimming and water in common, history, mythology, culture and architecture of Europe and East (oriental cultures), classical music in common, Shakespeare, Pushkin, Russian and English literature...there is a plenty of wonderful things...though now I see them all in the "Old World", not in Los Angeles. And I can say I like British English. 

I think I can write more...just now have to go, if somebody has questions - just ask! 

Hi Vladimir, and welcome to GMG.  Los Angeles is quite different from the Volga!    Hope you are enjoying yourself out there, since there is quite a bit of good music around, between the Los Angeles Opera and concerts at Disney Hall.  Too bad your parents don't understand your liking opera, but hopefully they will realize it makes you happy, and be glad for you. 

Anyway, enjoy your time here, and let us know what you're listening to. 

--Bruce

[Anne]

Welcome, Sarastro; I'm glad to meet you.  I'm very impressed by the amount you have learned about opera in such a short time.

[Sarastro]

Hope you are enjoying yourself out there, since there is quite a bit of good music around, between the Los Angeles Opera and concerts at Disney Hall.

Precisely, here I have more opportunities to listen to famous singers, conductors, orchestras...In summer my friend - mezzo, also from Russia, made her LA debut singing in "Alexander Nevsky" cantata by Prokofiev with a black-and-white movie of Eisenstein (one of the first russian cinema directors), then I was invited to visit Boris Godunov from Kirov Opera in Hollywood bowl and some other concerts of non-operatic classical music, at Disney Hall and Colburn school of Music. And of course LA-Opera!
But I'm sure MET's having much more than here!! I was in NYC last autumn (actually fall, but I can't get used to it), and New Jersey, it was fabulous with a real cover of fallen leaves, yellow, red, purple, and a great city, with its own architecture!

[Siedler]

Welcome Sarastro! It's great to have more opera fans here, as our section is rather quiet one.    I would suggest you to ignore your parents' (and other people) opinions about opera (or classical music in general), and just enjoy what you like! I have similar problems thus I rarely talk about operas with people (some think opera is elitist and what not, how stupid!).

[Sarastro]

I talk about it to everybody  that's how I did a few opera friends...they love it but didn't even expect me to love it and to know a lot about it, and after were surprised, talking about it now for hours.
It's not elitist, it's wonderful. 

[Sarastro]

Of course it can be even dangerous  ...but if you don't show you like opera, and somebody else does not, then how would you know each other (especially when you are studying in the same group, it's sad)...except forums, of course. 

[Harry]

Time to bring this thread on line again.
A easy step for old and new members to introduce themselves a little more.....
Don't be afraid, really........

[Harry]

Keep trying it, for its a shame to let this fine thread go down, especially when a steady stream of members come in, and no introductions given. That feels rather barren. Introducing makes you more part of the music enthusiasts on this forum, as well see the person behind the postings. And I rather like that, and many more with me I am sure......

[m_gigena]

Keep trying it,

Let's agitate the place.




LASAGNA.

[Harry]

Let's agitate the place.




LASAGNA.

You show your colors very clear, and most of all, what kind of a friendly character you are.

[uffeviking]

. . . as well see the person behind the postings. And I rather like that, . . .

Nosey, aren't you, Harry? 

[Harry]

Nosey, aren't you, Harry? 

Maybe, but for the good reasons.....

[Scriptavolant]

Let's agitate the place.




LASAGNA.

Red or green?

[Harry]

Well thank you thread wreckers Manuel and scriptavolant, your action has been seen and duly noted.
You should both be ashamed of yourself, but particulary Manuel, that gives his name due credit by again doing what he allready did before, namely building mischief.
I have seen on other forums what you did, so why does this surprise me Manuel.
I close the thread thanks to you guys. thank you again!

[m_gigena]

@scriptavolant

Regarding the latest
events, that might have look like some spiteful
diversions of mine,

Obliged I feel to capitulate in the sake of
friendship.

Consolidated the idea
of Manuel having something against Harry might already have.
undisturbed by this I do not want to look, for unfriendly I'm not.
rudimentary as this message would appear to be, it's my enunciation that the
scoundrel I once was is should now be
extint.

@Harry and the rest of the board:

I'm Manuel and I live in Cordoba (Western hemisphere->America->South America->Argentina->the center of Argentina).
I play the piano with enough dexterity to gain the interest of some chicks at the conservatoire (Fact that either  speaks very good of me, or reveals how easy the girls from this part of the globe are). I studied violin for two years, and as the fast learner I seemed to be my teacher wanted me to abandon both piano and Economics in an attempt to make of me a professional violinist. On the other hand, my piano teacher wanted me to abandon Economics and the violin to set my bearings on being a professional pianist.
Last October I decided to leave the conservatoire. I sometimes regret it as I realize I will hardly make any new progress on instrumental technique. I also long for that group of edible female violinists.

I'm three fifths of an Economist, as in december I finished the third of a five year degree at one of the national universities here. I want to become a stock broker first, and run a hedge fund later (provided investors doesn't realize what a scam this funds are and government doesn't legislate to dismantle them first).

I try to listen as much classical music as I can. With special interests on concertos and solo piano works. I do enjoy opera a lot, but it's a genre I haven't explored lately. Baroque and classicism never appealed to me, other than Mozart, Bach and the violin works by Tartini, Corelli et al.