Thursday's piece basically just fell out of my fingers. It was not at all my plan for the piece when I sat down to write, but what can you do but trust the zero drafts, amiright?
Is it a coincidence that such silliness on the subject of barbers and beards showed up in my life and writing at exactly the time that I reintroduced Figaro's aria "Largo al Factotum" (from Rossini's "The Barber of Seville") back into my life after many, many years? It's now back in heavy rotation, perhaps in part because Figaro's exuberant exulations about his good fortune in life feels totally infectious, thus serving as an affirmation/incantation of feelings and attitudes that I seek to foment in my own life.
"Ah, che bel vivere, che bel piacere per un barbiere ... di qualità!"
("What a beautiful life, what a pleasure for a barber of quality.")
If you want to give Figaro's aria a listen, which you do, give this a try. It isn't the Robert Merrill recording that's become my go-to, but it's pretty good.
And while you're at it, you might as well watch the greatest cartoon short of all time. It's set to the music of the overture to "Barber of Seville," as reworked by the brilliant Carl Stalling.
To whoever went to the MET to see La Bohème. It gets better. There are way better operas than that. The plot/lyrics for La Bohème are weak and the music is forgettable. Please try: – Turandot – La Traviata – Le Nozze di Figaro – Don Giovanni – Carmen
This appears to be spam of some sort (is it? are you actually a person?) but I like it regardless. Though I think the claim that La Boheme is forgettable might be fighting words to a whole bunch of people.
Thank you just what I needed this morning.
Thank you! Can I ask what brought you here?