observationsonly

@amwilson_opera Agree. Eyebrow very much raised. Will not judge ahead of hearing it (and to be fair, thank god it's not yet another film music programme). Classic FM doesn't really have any expert presenters though, they're not trying to educate/inform. If it was R3 I'd be writing a letter!

@vicgoddard People used to walk around / go on buses with ghetto blasters all the time when I was a kid - 30 years ago. It's not got worse, just changed.

Sitting on the train with someone watching something on their phone on full volume. Am I just getting old and grumpy or is this just rude?

@dreamyycici @drugproblem Absolutely not condoning that behaviour, but if you put something online, we live in a world of free speech... It's very sad. I'm very sorry she experienced that, but she was actually in control of it.

@dreamyycici @drugproblem Yes, but she DENIED she was sick. That's where it went wrong. There's no obligation to share your health battles online, but equally no need to post selfies. If you look ill, post a selfie... then deny illness.. ppl gonna be mean. Posting always comes with judgment, good & bad.

And fuck these people who were leaving nasty comments on Michelle Trachtenberg’s Instagram when she just had a liver transplant and was still in recovery

@MarkBeeson16 You can still - roughly £12 for the cheapest standing/upper slips today. £1 in 1980s is roughly £5 today so it's really not far off, and not a barrier. Cheaper than most cinema tickets!

In the 1980s you'd see me perched in the upper slips enjoying every opera for £1. Restricted view? Yes. Experiences I still talk about 30 years later? Absolutely. There's no substitute for live music and artistic experiences. I hope the students of today can still get this access

@Glinner Not one to support a tory but this is a misleading clip. The money is for a contract for a NFP, not directly for his wife. It would have gone on the work they do, not the director's salary which will be absolutely nowhere near this.

It would take a heart of stone not to laugh.

@Nicklezard @A_B_Morgan To be honest, for the qualifications/experience required (this is no newly qualified position...), much the same when you take into account a nurse's pension. Comparing private & public is seldom straightforward.

@A_B_Morgan Jesus Christ, 52k. How much do nurses earn again?

No disrespect to Richard Osman, but I can't help feeling it's rather disturbing that this is where the UK industry is now.

@amwilson_opera @cardiffuni Pretty shocking simplification from WL. My criticism of uni music is it can encompass the performance elements at lower level so it is blurred. There's no such equivalent in Hist of Art where zero skill is required. Obvs must read music but playing? Maybe keep 100% academic?

...fund managers. The Royal Welsh is not Cardiff Music Department's local competitor in any meaningful sense whatsoever. If this is REALLY the best Wendy Larner can do to justify the closure of Music at @cardiffuni she must think again, as her criteria are flawed.

How can a Vice-Chancellor not understand the nature of a subject taught in her own university and use her misunderstanding of the situation as grounds to close that subject down? Yesterday, the VC of @cardiffuni was on the Today programme. I have transcribed her words. /

@AlexaCoghlan Oh wow! Random one but Felix was the brother of my dad's next door neighbour when my dad was a kid. They encouraged my dad into his classical music career. I will look for a copy for my dad he would love this!!

Struck gold in Chiswick’s Foster Books this morning…

@AyoCaesar Likewise a disincentive for traitors to throw eachother under the bus. They take an oath after all. Like, don't get to murder. The large turnover of traitors feels too much and it's an easy play for traitors to turn on eachother.

I reckon for the next series of #TheTraitors, the Faithful need to have a disincentive for banishing Faithful at the final fire pit vote (e.g. more money for every Faithful left, or prize fund goes down with every Faithful banished). Because as is, they're incentivised to get rid of fellow Faithfuls to get more of the money for themselves.

@sgtoyne @rbo_org Going in Feb, my 3rd Salome, booked yesterday got my old favourite seat no problem - how are there are so many tickets available?? My first ROH outing since covid and moving out of London, I am very excited (refusing to acknowledge the rebrand).

First night of Jenůfa @rbo_org. I’ve been an opera fanatic for around 40 years. Tonight was one of the most extraordinary performances I’ve experienced. Phenomenal singing, playing, conducting, production. A truly great, incredibly moving, evening of theatre. If in doubt, go!

@jjohnstonmezzo @klausmakela @Filharmonien @E_N_O I saw your Judith - spectacular! x

“I fear that without restoration of funding 2 WNO there is a huge risk that opera will be guarded for only those who can afford it.” @CarmenRiaSmith took such care with her speech, even taking the time 2 ring me beforehand 2 check some things. Oh, that our govts listen! #SaveWNO

@HarrietHarman So glad you continue to speak out, defending and promoting the voices of women no matter what class or age.

It’s not that standards have changed. Women always felt creeped out by predatory, lewd men. It’s just that now women feel able to challenge. Older, middle class women more able to challenge than freelance junior women. It’s our duty💪💪💪 bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@moldo111 @InternetH0F youtu.be/OHXjxWaQs9o?si… It was part of an Adele at the BBC thing, Norton was involved but it wasn't from his chat show. It was so brill I've watched it loads of times and not even an 'Adele fan'!

In 2015, Adele surprised fans by going undercover to participate in an Adele lookalike contest for a segment on "The Late Late Show with James Corden." Wearing a disguise, she entered the competition as a contestant, performing her hit songs and interacting with the other participants. The reveal was a delightful surprise for both the contestants and the audience, showcasing Adele's sense of humor and willingness to have fun with her fans. This memorable moment highlighted her down-to-earth personality and ability to connect with people in a unique way.

When Adele went undercover and entered an Adele lookalike contest (2015)

@Lucy_Worsley So helpful to have openness about 'failure' from someone who appears 'successful' - thank you! It's hard to keep at it in the face of rejections, but as I get older I'm grateful I take it less personally. Looking for my next job soon, I am prepping myself for taking the hits x

Applied for loads of NT jobs, never got a single one of them 😉

At 21, I travelled from Cambridge to London in a great state of nervous excitement to visit the then HQ of the @nationaltrust. I had a meeting with the head of the historic buildings department and had high hopes of making a career there.

@roseandfriends @PosterTom @KaleidoChamber Beautiful. My favourite song, that perfect simplicity of line yet somehow so rich and full and complex. Super pairing. Thank you for sharing!

Winterreise w @PosterTom today in Taunton @KaleidoChamber This was the first time we did it, in a farmhouse in the Brazilian jungle, with only candle light..

@michaelscat2 It has most likely wandered off from their home - could be far but could also be 3 doors down! Ask on facebook or whatever your most active local network is, lots of neighbourhoods have a local person who keeps a lost cat register. Don't assume unwanted, bengals can travel far!

This cat has been hanging around our house for about a week now, and has no collar or chip. We think it’s a Bengal? But typically those are really expensive breeds, why would someone abandon such a cat. Any thoughts?

@watsoncomedian @flumcake Ex librarian. L. Even though the 'The' is quite important, file it like you would 'The Beatles'. Which would definitely be B.

@flumcake I think L. I think you’ve got to disregard ‘the’ in these situations.

Should The Last Dinner Party be filed under L or T? (I’m asking the big questions on a Saturday afternoon)

@out_of_synch @elizabethalker Second this - mine was low-medium risk but several insurance companies declined to insure due to flood risk. Had quite the scare on exchange day when I was trying to sort in out! Very happy where I am but I plan to move before climate change likely increases risk too much!

@elizabethalker Before making an offer I would check with insurance companies to ensure no issues there .. and if it’s making you think twice would it make future purchases think twice if you come to sell?