Opera and Links

Here's a link to an interesting question I saw on Best of Answers lately:
See the question

I just discovered that BYU-TV has decided to show again "1856: Long Walk Home", a concert opera that covers the experiences of pioneers from the Willie and Martin handcart companies. I really enjoy this opera for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the amazing performance of Jennifer Welch-Babidge (I've been a fan of hers ever since I heard her in person in Logan a few years ago). About halfway through the opera she sings an incredible solo ("Mother, I dream of warmth..."). You can see the program here for the next month or so after posting:
See the opera

Oh, do I ever love opera! Hearing an opera on CD or the radio isn't usually that exciting, and seeing an opera on TV is better but not always gripping, but seeing an opera in the theater is my absolute favorite form of entertainment. I even like Wagner and modern operas that many people don't seem to like. Unfortunately, so many operas have material that I think is inappropriate. Before I would attend an opera, I would check the synopsis carefully to make sure it didn't have anything I would regret seeing. For example, I thought the music of Thaïs was so wonderful the first time I heard it on the radio I would even listen to it on the radio... but then I discovered that there is a scene in the opera where one of the main characters has an erotic dream about the other character, and apparently this scene is often performed in the nude. If anyone is interested in inviting me to an appropriate opera, I would gladly go and have a great time. The combination of music and theater: what could be better? As I recall, the first time I saw an opera in the theater I was so mesmerized that I was surprised when the first act was over; it had seemed to me that only a short time had gone by.

So check out the opera at the link above and see why I like it. The composition is very nice, but above all I just can't get over Jennifer Welch-Babidge's performance. Maybe I'll talk her into being my voice teacher someday. ;)

And while you're at it, see this YouTube page for the opera "The Dreamweaver", by Erica Glenn. Dreamweaver and the other operas on this channel were the winners of a national opera composition contest last year (but Dreamweaver took number 1). I'm pretty proud to claim the composer as one of my friends. I was at the performance last year where the videos were made. To download a better-quality copy of the audio, see vocalworks.org.

And in case you're not aware, Marie Callender's semi-annual pie sale is on this month. I've eaten a lot of pie today. :)

President Hinckley's Funeral and Saturday links

Today was President Hinckley's funeral. It was a very nice service. I believe at one point the reporters on the radio were mentioning how people were hearing the reporting outside of the Salt Lake area, and I couldn't help but think that it was so appropriate that President Hinckley's funeral would be heard and experienced by people all over the world through media means, since he was so good at using the media to further the purposes of the Lord. As the funeral procession proceeded up South Temple, the bells of the Cathedral of the Madeleine were ringing, which was a very nice tribute from our Catholic friends. People were waving white handkerchiefs and canes as the funeral procession passed by. BYU-TV had coverage of the funeral for much of the day, anchored by Jane Clayson Johnson and Don Olsen.

A photo that I took on my last day at the Conference Center, Spring 2007. I think sunset is the best time of day to be on the roof of the Conference Center.

As a hostess at the Conference Center for several years, many times I felt the "spirit of the Conference Center", which I experienced as a happy feeling that usually hit me almost immediately after I entered the building. If I had any problems or worries, I think I often forgot about them completely after a relatively short time in the Conference Center. I believe that the happy feeling was the Holy Ghost testifying to me that the words that President Hinckley spoke in the Conference Center were the words of the Lord. I know that President Hinckley is a prophet of God.

Here are a couple of links to some things I ran across this week that were interesting:
Why Music Sounds Right
Getting Things Done (When You Really Have To)