Ennio Morricone, Oscar-winning Italian film composer, dies aged 91 | Music | The Guardian
Ennio Morricone, the Italian composer whose symphonic scores backed everything from spaghetti westerns to romance, horror and sci-fi films, has died aged 91… … His 1960s scores for Sergio Leone, … Continue reading
JULY 29, 1887: NAUGHTY NOMADS AND SINGING SOTS – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
Born in 1887, Sigmund Romberg moved to the United States in 1909 and, after a short resume builder in a pencil factory (as a sharpener?), found work as a pianist. … Continue reading
Piaf and Cocteau: Les Enfants Terribles | A R T L▼R K
When I write I disturb. When I make a film I disturb. When I paint I disturb. When I exhibit my paintings I disturb, and I disturb if I don’t. … Continue reading
January 16, 1908: Next Day on Your Dressing Room They Hung a Star – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
A few names are synonymous with the Broadway musical theater – Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, composers all. As an entertainer, one name looms large; … Continue reading
November 2, 1887: Ode to a Nightingale – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
Wild and crazy entrepreneur, P.T. Barnum was known for bringing audiences such high-brow entertainers as Tom Thumb, the Feejee Mermaid, and Zip the Pinhead. As he said, “Nobody ever lost … Continue reading
June 18, 1913: They Call It Sam’s Song | Wretched Richard’s Almanac
Violinist, meat-packer, usher, tinsmith, elevator operator, and lyricist, Sammy Cahn (no relation to Kublai or Genghis) penned his first lyrics at the age of 16 – “Like Niagara Falls, I’… … Continue reading
Mirth, Mayhem and Marvel: A Brief Introduction to Music Halls | Heritage Calling
‘The scent… of music halls everywhere – the scent of wood and grease-paint and spilling beer, of gas and of tobacco and of hair-oil, all combined… later I heard it … Continue reading
Happy Birthday Fred Astaire! For I’ll be there. Puttin’ down my top hat. Mussin’ up my white tie. Dancin’ in my tails…
I just put my feet in the air and move them around. Fred Astaire Source: Happy Birthday Fred Astaire! For I’ll be there. Puttin’ down my top hat. Mussin’ up … Continue reading
Jamming with Shakespeare
This week at BCU we had a visit from the Sonnet Man, aka Devon Glover, a New York based rapper who performs Shakespeare in his own unique way. Sonnet Man’s … Continue reading
March 18, 1902: Italian Tenors Are a Lire a Dozen | Wretched Richard’s Almanac
Tenor Enrico Caruso recorded ten arias for the Gramophone & Typewriter Company in Milan, Italy. He was paid 100 pounds sterling, and was not required to do any typing. These … Continue reading
Rolf Lislevand plays A. Stradivari Sabionari, 1679 guitar – Santiago de Murcia – Tarantela
Rolf Lislevand plays A.Stradivari Sabionari, 1679 guitar – Santiago de Murcia – Tarantela. I defy you not to be enchanted when you listen to this.
Mussolini and Cole Porter – Beachcombing’s Bizarre History Blog
Bit of possible cobblers for the end of the month. In 1934 Cole Porter wrote the musical Anything Goes, the most famous song of which is surely ‘You’re the Top’. … Continue reading
vintage everyday: Hendrix Hits London – How Nine Months in London Made Him a Star
Born in 1942, James Marshall Hendrix grew up in Seattle and honed his craft as a guitar slinger in the South and New York City, but he became star in … Continue reading
Leonard Bernstein • Quote
Originally posted on A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.:
“To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.”-Leonard Bernstein (born 25…
The Ghost of the Rose
Originally posted on The Genealogy of Style:
“Soulève ta paupière close Qu’effleure un songe virginal ; Je suis le spectre d’une rose Que tu portais hier au bal. Tu me…
Alan Rickman – Quotes | pilar221b
“Actors are agents of change. A film, a piece of theater, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world.” Alan Rickman via … Continue reading
Florence Foster Jenkins: The World’s Worst Singer?
Originally posted on A R T L▼R K:
On the 19th of July 1868, American amateur operatic soprano Florence Foster Jenkins was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Jenkins had no…
Music Hall – not just a lovely war? | objectingtowar
I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier Cards by FirstNightVintage Re-blogged from objectingtowar. It’s hard to imagine but one hundred years ago the cultural life of this country was … Continue reading
Rogues & Vagabonds 