Last night (Friday) we attended the River Concert, thinking the slightly cooler weather would be a little more conducive to listening. So we settled in our usual spot, thinking that they have trimmed up the trees a little as it seemed sunnier than we remembered. As it happened it was the annual “Vote” night, as Larry did his guest conductorship, and his daughter, mezzo soprano Olivia. Both are very talented with Miss Vote receiving national attention, but IMHO it might be nice to give them a year off..they were joined by Michelle Johnson (soprano), and Brian Major, a baritone. So naturally, the program revolved around vocal music. I boldly admit my musical tastes have not yet expanded to include single voices. Choral music? Great. But I can only admire if not appreciate a performance of operatic music. They sang arias from Carmen, overture from the Barber of Seville, Madam Butterfly, etc. And once again they gave me the excuse to grump about such music as Porgy and Bess. They sang Summertime (an’ de livin’ is easy) and “Bess you is My Woman”. Yes, I’m a literal, scientific, stick in the mud, between the lines engineer, but I still cannot appreciate incorporating somebody’s idea of African American dialect into operatic treatment. It just seems artificial to me. Did they really speak that way in Charleston during the 20s’. Apparently Mr. Gershwin supposes so. Anyway, the social aspects are continually enjoyable if occasionally the music is not..
It’s amazing what you can learn about this country from food magazines. The latest issue of Cook’s Country (country cousin of Chris Kimball’s Cook’s Illustrated) entitled: “Oklahoma Barbequed Chopped Pork”. It leads off with the startling anthropological (generalization) that “Oklahomans, by nature, like to keep things close to the vest”. They use this non substantiated fact to explain that it is why you’ve never heard of Oklahoma barbeque. Correct. I for one, have never heard of Oklahoma barbeque. Apparently it’s big chunks of heavily smoked pork shoulder. Anyway, there is a recipe if you want to learn more about the secretive Oklahoma barbeque. I was not aware Will Rogers played it close to the vest…
And lastly, one more Wisconsin hangover (somewhat accurate). Have you ever seen this? We brought back some…. It’s not particularly memorable, just different.. Had to try it when we saw it at Festival Foods…
i really don't know how you should DFD(ip)
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