What's a Girl to Wear to the Opera?

So what's a girl to wear to see the Minnesota Opera's fabulous production of Puccini's La Boheme (a story of colorful, bohemian artists living in 19th century Paris) this weekend?
Well, she could opt for the little black dress. Safe. Tried and true.
B-B-B-booooring. Or ...




... she could take a cue from the sumptuous "Wanderers" editorial in this month's issue of Vogue magazine, and choose the rich, mish mash of tribal colors and geometric patterns that an urban bohemian would wear. After all, it was the wanderlusting free spirits, Romani (gypsy) people, and travelers of the Silk Road who inspired the Paris Bohemian movement that La Boheme came out of.

Photographed by Arthur Elgort, styled by the incredible Tonne Goodman!




When we attended the "Bohemian Lifestyle for Rent" event that MN Opera hosted last week at the Loring Pasta Bar's "Red Room," my date Miss R and I went for texture (fur, wood beads, lace) and patterns (flowers, paisley, ikat!!) We like clashing prints and lots of layering.





the divine Miss R and Tosh







The free Bohemian Lifestyle for Rent event took place in the Red Room at the top of the Loring Pasta Bar at dusk- very much like the Boheme garret in Paris! There were tall taper candles, glowing paintings, vin, artichoke dip!!








The opera's stars, Jennifer Black (Mimi) and Adam Diegel (Rodolpho) treated us to some beautiful preview arias (including "O Soave fanciulla", I think) and engaged their guests in a friendly question and answer time. The MN Opera really does a wonderful job of trying to involve and educate the community in the magical world of opera. They even gave away a pair of free tickets!


Adam Diegel and Jennifer Black

There's a Trysts Philharmonique Calendar of events on this blog's sidebar, where you can find out about other events like this one and all the local concerts. Click the pic below and check it regularly.




Also, check out this video, and stay tuned for more opera, fashion and Boheme Madness!

Embrace the Boheme Life!

Boheme madness has begun!





The long-anticipated return of Giacomo Puccini's lush, romantic masterpiece to the MN Opera, happens this Friday, March 6th. And to kick off Bohemian season, the Opera is hosting some great celebrations and educational opportunities, like Bohemian Lifestyle for Rent TONIGHT (5:30-7 pm) at the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown, Minneapolis. IT IS FREE! And I am going!
click the pic below for more details



check out the MN Opera's promo video

La Boheme, which is set in early 1800s Paris, among a group of struggling artists and penniless Bohemians, is all about beauty, romance, and youthful idealism. It is the beloved story that inspired the Broadway musical Rent, and is quite possibly the most popular opera of all time. It's a great first opera to see, if you have not been initiated into the wonderful world of opera. And certainly its' themes of struggle and beauty in times of despair, resonate with the state of things today.

I don't know if there are any tickets still available for La Boheme. But at Bohemian Lifestyle for Rent tonight, you'll have a chance to hear excerpts sung by the Mimi and Rudolpho leads, and enter to win free tickets! I've already snatched up mine, and will be posting plenty more updates, tributes, and fun in the next couple weeks to celebrate everything Boheme!



an early performance of La Boheme

People Like Chopin

A lot of people really like Frederic Chopin. That makes today, his 200th birthday, a really big deal!
At 7 pm CT tonight, 99.5 fm Classical MPR will live broadcast a recital from Poland of pianist Garrick Ohlsson playing Chopin. MPR says...

"A lovely manor home in the tiny (population 65) village of Zelazowa Wola will be Mr. Ohlsson's concert stage and Chopin's very own 1848 Pleyel, his instrument for a program of polonaises, mazurkas, and the Ballade No. 3.
Straight from Poland to your living room. "

Fascinating. Tune in or listen online here...




I have to admit, I've always been as excited about Chopin as I am a nice, healthful, bland plate of brussel sprouts. His music is noble, refined, never frilly, always in good taste, but.... well, just a little boring. I recognize that he is greatly loved, I just need a little convincing. Someone convince me!



Frédéric François Chopin, b. Warsaw, Poland, March 1810– 17 October 1849



Jenny Lind, "the Swedish Nightengale" was a muse for Chopin

Joanna Newsom and the Coming of Spring

I have four words for you this weekend: NEW JOANNA NEWSOM RECORD.

the elven one with taxidermy

a cute pronghorn antelope adorned with Currier & Ives...haha

a tambura orchestra


Okay, I'll say a few more. Though this is sticking a toe out of the Classical music box, I just couldn't resist a gush. The fey, impish creature known as Joanna Newsom -part wood nymph, part Appalachian hillbilly- is a classically trained harpist who is the most daring and exciting thing in music these days. Her 10 minute-long-on-average songs are crafted like classical compositions, challenging the pop music- listener to follow their intricate instrumental and lyrical story patterns. On her new, 3-disc masterpiece Have One On Me, Newsom's music, which has been categorized as "freak folk" draws from celtic and Eastern European influences, and even jazz. In addition to Newsom's ethereal harp playing, the album treats us to such fanciful instruments as pump organ, oboe, bassoon, Bulgarian tambura and kaval, Turkish kemence, and a newly-invented Australian instrument called the tarhu that you can read about here! My advice is that you rush over to Electric Fetus as soon as you can and buy this album.







Joanna Newsom- a feast for the ears, eyes, and mind




If you don't want to stay in your home all weekend listening to the Newsom album, there are a few exotic offerings from the Minnesota Orchestra you might want to catch. Friday was the music of Sibelius sung by Finnish voices; Saturday is the latin sound of Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida; and Sunday presents [the sound of my proud Irish upbringing! ] ... The Chieftains! Pulse-quickening jig music just in time to herald St. Patrick's day and the coming of Spring!
céad míle fáilte !

Lovers' Rock

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!


to celebrate, here are some of Opera and Ballet's storied lovers...the tragedy and bliss...















If you're looking for very last-minute ways to impress your Valentine, consider checking out the final day of Till Death Do Us Part at Rogue Buddha art gallery, or sending out a special radio request via MPR's 99.5 Classical. adorable.

Happy 201 Years, Mendelssohn!

Happy Birthday to German Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn, born 1809 in Hamburg.

"Jakob Ludwig Felix" came from a family of intellectuals. His grandfather was the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, whose ideas are credited with kick-starting the "Haskalah" [Jewish Enlightenment] renaissance of European Jewish thought. Felix studied in Paris as a child, and like Mozart, was considered a child prodigy.
Anti-Semitic German composer Richard Wagner damned Mendelssohn's work, which incited a Nazi banishment of all Mendelssohn's work during the regime. The effects of that racist denigration linger today.





Enjoy Mendelssohn's Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) Overture. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of music!