A few days ago I got a call.

It was a harpist. She plays arpa doppia, lirone and other interesting old instruments.

And she said: I'd like to do a concert with you. I really like how you sing and perform.
Wow, magnificent.
I say: Perfect, no problem, I'd love that.
She: Do you have time on 20th July.
I am thinking what I have and what not. I know I have some opera rehealsals.
Then she continues: 2008.
Me: What? Hahaha, sure I have!

That's that then. We met already and talked about the repertoire. We'll perform on he Wold harp Congress in Amsterdam 2008.

I love having concerts!

The pregnant Swiss darling, Milady and I had a concert on Sunday. It was a nice chappel close to Leiden. And it went very nicely indeed. Apart from the fact that I kept forgeting the goddamn text and sang pseudo-German in a song that I've been singing already for a very long time. But it's typically me. (a note to myself): It is high time I change that and start preparing more thoroughly. Starting now with Britten's wonderful Cradle Song... I have to sing it tomorrow and though I've been doing it for the last month and a half, that I've recorded it, I still doubt with some of the words.

Anyway, what I loved about the concert was, that after it was all done and over, and we were sitting in the changing room, the organizer came, visibly pleased with what we did. He then gave us 4,50€ in change. Ok.... hmmmm He said that a lady in the audience liked the concert very much and decided to give us a tip! How sweet! That never happened to me... The tip is not big, considering it was the 3 of us, but it is the mere gesture that is so rewarding. We split the money.

Today is May 8th. A day when Germany capitulated. In 1945 that is. I read this today and found it really funny:

Why did Britain not become fascist between the wars? The obvious reason is that the British temperament is inhospitable of fascism. Fascism calls for ardour and common purpose, whereas the British are by nature disgruntled, unhopeful, individualistic and suspicious of ideas.
They do not like being organized, and they have a keen sense of the ridiculous, which is lethal to fascism.
One man rule has never attracted them. As early as 1649 they were obliged to chop Charles I's had off to bring this point to his attention.

John Carey