The Last Post

It’s about one year since the last entry on this blog. It reached a point where were so many posts and photos on laviebohemetravel that WordPress wanted more money to host it. So I stopped. Posting, that is — the travel, art, opera and adventure continued.

On checking today, it seems that people still view the posts, and search engines still send seekers here. However, the world will no doubt go on turning without laviebohemetravel.

It was a joy to keep this blog, a diary of travels and experiences, and thank you to everyone who commented and engaged with the stories. It was a pleasure to meet you.

But all good things must come to an end.

Arrivederci!

Lives of the Artists

Giorgio Vasari, an Italian Renaissance era artist and historian, is remembered today mostly for his “Lives of the Artists” (the full title is actually: “Le Vite de’ più eccellenti pittori, scultori, ed architettori” -“Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects.”) He’s considered to have more or less invented art history through biography (though he had a bit of a prejudice towards Florence, and included a lot of gossip). But Vasari is so well-known, that I wondered what to expect when I picked up a book called “Lives of the Artists” which was published in 2008. I found that the title is very clever — as well as a nod to Vasari, it takes quite seriously the proposition that an artists’ approach to living, his or her ‘lifestyle’, is integral to what is being made.

Victorian Opera: The Flying Dutchman review

‘Man in Chair’ blogger was at opening night of Wagner-Goes-3D’ presented by Victorian Opera, as was I. His review reblogged here says it all. I’m with him all the way – except that Senta’s dress was rather awful, and I thought the Dutchman’s singing faded a bit towards the end. But I loved to see a few local hipsters amongst the audience!
Bravo to VO and that great young orchestra!

Man in Chair

Returning opera to the mighty Palais Theatre, Victorian Opera match the spectacle of 3D animation with the quality of singing as Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman drops anchor in Port Phillip Bay.

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Of Mice and Men

James Franco as George and Chris O’Dowd as Lennie in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, at the Longacre Theatre.  (© Richard Phibbs) (source)

In July 2014 the John Steinbeck play “Of Mice and Men” played at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway in New York City. It starred James Franco as ‘George’ and the Irish actor Chris O’Dowd as ‘Lenny’, and was nominated for two Tony Awards. I didn’t see the show on Broadway, but this week I did see it on the big screen, filmed and distributed by the UK National Theatre Live — their first Broadway show filming. While I’d still prefer the live experience, I was grateful for the opportunity to see this famous play, exceptionally well acted.

Mozart in the City

The ladies & gentlemen of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (source)

Now that Opera Australia is foundering so badly, I’ve been looking for any other opportunities this city might throw up to hear some lovely classical singing. Luckily, the orchestras, especially the Sydney Symphony, seem to be embracing the voice.

Welcome to the Eighties

“After Dinner” The Wharf Theatre, STC

Playwright Andrew Bovell has written some iconic Australian films, such as Strictly Ballroom and Lantana. But back when he was a new grad from the Victorian College of the Arts in the 1980s, he and his actor friends were out of work. So he wrote them a play.

Parliamentary Storms

The Australian Parliament House, Canberra

It’s been stormy few days in the Australian federal parliament, with the Prime Minister being subjected to a call for a party-room spill, his colleagues apparently as unhappy with his performance as many of the voting public. But this blog won’t go there. However, here’s a few views of Canberra’s Parliament House under stormy skies, in keeping with what’s been happening within.

Suffragettes

Dora Meeson (1908) Parliament House Art Collection

Amongst the art, architecture, travel, opera and adventures, I like nothing more than to find a curious nugget of history that starts me thinking. Tucked into a short passageway in Parliament House in Canberra is an old painted banner in a frame. It’s a bit worn and faded, and its subject matter a little obscure – until its context is revealed.

The Ned Kelly Series

‘Ned Kelly’ (1946) Sidney Nolan (NGA)

We’re still on the subject of art, and still in the National Capital. The NGA has another treasure I want to tell you about before we leave it: the iconic series of paintings that Sidney Nolan made on the dining room table at ‘Heide’, the home of his patrons John and Sunday Reid in 1946-47.

Blue Poles

Jackson Pollock’s ‘Blue Poles’ in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

While this blog is on the subject of art, and Canberra, and the National Gallery of Australia, it should pause for a moment to consider “Blue Poles”, the centrepiece art work of the Gallery. This big painting, 4.9 metres long and 2.10 metres high, was painted by Jackson Pollock, the slightly notorious American Abstract Expressionist, in 1952. It was also the subject of political controversy when it was purchased by Australia in 1973.