Maximilian Van London

in profile ... Michael Pinkerton

2012-01-28T13:10:00.002Z

Michael Pinkerton is head of Voice and Opera at Konservatorium Wien. He studied Voice at the University of Maryland before coming to Vienna where he sang at Wiener Kammeroper amongst others.

Portrait ... Homme

2012-01-26T22:20:00.001Z

Austrian Baritone Günter Haumer. The shot came together before a concert recital by Günter in Styria, Austria, in the remains of an old castle.

Backstage ... Garderobe

2012-01-25T14:40:00.001Z

La Mer de Pianos

2012-01-24T08:16:00.002Z

La Mer de Pianos from Films & Things on Vimeo.

Bayerische Staatsoper ... backstage darlings

2012-01-22T21:21:00.000Z

American Sopranos Brenda Rae and Rebecca Nelsen following their performance of Die Entführung aus den Serail at Bayerische Staatsoper.

Ballet 360

2012-01-19T16:09:00.000Z

BALLET 360 (The 360 Project) from Ryan Enn Hughes on Vimeo.

in profile ... Roberto Ortiz

2012-01-17T15:27:00.003Z

Roberto Ortiz Tenor Stuttgart

Mexican Tenor, Roberto Ortiz, studied at the Royal Academy of Music Opera School under Ryland Davies and Audrey Hyland. He is currently a member of the Opera Studio at Oper Stuttgart, where he is performing as Don Curzio in Figaro, Flavio in Norma and as Hrazda and a student in Osud. He has also covered the roles of Don Ottavio Don Giovanni, Elvino La Sonnambula, Andres Wozzek, and Gaston La Traviata. Next season he will join the International Opera Studio at Zurich Opera. He currently studies with Francisco Araiza.

Portrait ... A Black Swan

2012-01-05T16:23:00.000Z

Here's some work I did not end up posting last year. Featuring american soprano Rebecca Nelsen, the series came about at the studio in London and was inspired by Darren Aronofsky's film Black Swan. Rebecca is giving her debut as Blondchen at Bayerische Staatsoper in January.

Happy 12!

2012-01-04T18:25:00.002Z

In case you have been wondering, during google account migration, screen resolution data for my photography work on the entire blog was lost.
Oh F.. me google... Resolving the issue might take a while.If you have any questions just pop me a mail.

We are confident however that 2012 will bring even more exciting news, opportunities and lots of great pictures and stories to share with you on maximilianvanlondon! The feedback over the last two years has been nothing but awesome! We have had about 50000 page views in total!

Some super projects are already on the go. In Two-twelve, Ill be headed for a couple more cities, meeting young artists from all over, sharing all those exciting stories and pictures. Ill keep you posted wherever I am and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

We believe the blog is nothing short of a modern culture profile, a portrait platform for modern artists. I like to think of it as a portrait for all of modern art. New Art, new Culture, is happening, is important and lives in all of us. People are craving for it! All over the world. Most importantly, we are all contributing, Art is our life, and Art is You! Art is Everyone, Art is Style, Art is Cool, Art is Main

Tell you what,
I love my life. I love my home and the dear family I can share with. I love all the friends, from all walks of life, from so many different places, who care so much. I love all the Music, Music everyone believes in, Music no one believes in, Music for Cool, Music for Love, and all the Volksong; they came closest to be my home. I love S and S, I love the Mo's and Brah's, I believe in Schubert, Dylan and Elton. I love them clubs and I miss those girls, I long for home and I can't sit still to go back on the road. Guess what, I love the rain, the snow and cold, the steepness of the hill and I dream of that view every single day. We're all running here, and it might all fall, but it's all happening and it is down to us. I love that stage, there is no curtain here, it's all for play. I love all this, I'd love to stay, I'll take all them pics and together we will come one step closer to this gift, this paradise.
"Hey! You there sir, where are you headed, wait up, Ill run along right that way sir ... "

Art is Style!

A happy New Year to you all ;)

Park Snaps

2011-11-23T20:13:00.001Z

Emilio Pons Tenor Geneva, Chanda VanderHart Pianist Vienna

Diary: A different kind of portrait

2011-11-21T18:56:00.003Z

I guess, as an artist, we live with a lot of downtime. The last couple of weeks have been such a time, my life is no exception. But it is those times especially, when we may learn the most, be inspired, and go places. Especially with the mind. At least there is no end to my travels. It is the reward of a great upbringing, a welcoming home to keep warm the soul, and the opportunity to embark on the adventures we have set ourselves to do.
Most of the leaves have fallen, the old have grown even more weary and yet, its a productive time. I am putting together the first projects for 2011. My training is back in gear and I am working hard, I guess to winning in time, what others dream of.

2011-10-06T09:54:00.003+01:00

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

'Störung'

2011-10-05T19:42:00.005+01:00

What fuss ...

In profile ... Anna Gorbachyova

2011-09-19T10:18:00.001+01:00

Anna Gorbachyova Soprano London

Portrait ... The Pianists next door

2011-09-12T00:46:00.004+01:00

The pianist Chanda VanderHart Vienna August 2011

The Malkovich Casanova

2011-08-26T16:19:00.002+01:00

Diary: Hot Vienna Days

2011-08-25T11:25:00.001+01:00

After staying and working in Augsburg, Munich and Salzburg, I am currently shooting in Vienna. Here is me on location with the wonderful Pianist Chanda VanderHart and the fantastic American Soprano Rebecca Babb-Nelsen.

It is wonderful to be with such great people, come together from all over the place;

together we make music, we shoot film after film, in the evenings we cook for l'auberge and all the friends come and go. These hot summer days; They are like Bohemian rhapsodies, as we exchange stories, with too much wine and song, as we share in the welcome comforts of the music we live for, looking happily on all the days work, as we party and struggle with Vodka and Bull, with the wonderful girls from next door, As we smolder in the evening sun and the heat of warm Vienna nights.

Yellow Lounge London

2011-07-14T09:52:00.001+01:00

'... Its this fabulous evening in Berlin, where they play classical music full blast, everybody gets trashed and people break down into tears out of joy.'

Rufus Wainwright

On July 20th, the famous Yellow Lounge finally comes to London. Experience this revelation in music as you listen to a nouveau sound experience within the grit and future that is London at Yellow Lounge, Yellow Arch, Bermondsey Street Tunnel, London Bridge. use your ears as eyes at www.yellowlounge.co.uk

Nico Muhly's Two Boys

2011-06-24T09:25:00.002+01:00

Two Boys opens tonight at ENO. A must see show in London this summer, ENO bring out a further 'new opera' installment following Anne Nicole at the Royal Opera House. No doubt there are parallels. These are very much creatures of our time, and all of them have provided for disturbing commentary. But they are operas at heart, and thus they are made to touch beyond any other forms of entertainment.

Three

2011-06-22T10:07:00.000+01:00

Tito

2011-06-21T08:57:00.002+01:00

RAO Summer Scenes

2011-06-20T21:09:00.001+01:00

Its finally time, the end of term is nigh, and so the end of two years at the Royal Academy. The Opera school is performing their final set of scenes, including excerpts from Carmelites and La clemenza di Tito. I am honoured to spend these rainy days of June in the company of such fine young fellow singers. Their artistic industry is truly inspiring.

in profile ... Runette Botha

2011-06-19T00:21:00.000+01:00

Runette Botha Soprano London / Kassel

Portrait ... Sie ist der Welt

2011-06-17T10:28:00.001+01:00

in profile ... Rebecca Nelsen

2011-06-15T17:56:00.001+01:00

Rebecca Nelsen Soprano Vienna

in profile ... Elinor Rolfe Johnson

2011-06-13T13:38:00.000+01:00

Elinor Rolfe Johnson Soprano London

Two Boys

2011-06-11T10:35:00.000+01:00

Two Boys by Nico Muhly
World Premiere at the London Coliseum
24th June - 8th July 2011

Daphne's Window

2011-06-09T09:26:00.002+01:00

' I m not a performer ...
... part of being a conscious human being is having an intention ... '

Daphne Guinness by Brennan Stasiewicz

in profile ... Thomas Elwin

2011-06-06T13:12:00.002+01:00

Thomas Elwin Tenor London

On Stage ... Contrast

2011-06-03T10:40:00.000+01:00

Bob Dylan

2011-05-24T21:28:00.001+01:00

Bob Dylan by John Cohen
Hey Mr. Tambourine Man

RA0 Die Dreigroschenoper

2011-05-17T10:31:00.000+01:00

Styles ... Bertolt Brecht

2011-05-12T08:45:00.000+01:00

in profile ... Freddy Long

2011-05-09T11:00:00.000+01:00

Freddy Long Bass London

2011-04-29T11:49:00.007+01:00

picture Ozwald Boateng

The Exit

2011-04-20T17:46:00.002+01:00

From the wings

2011-04-16T15:13:00.000+01:00

Its all about taste

2011-04-16T14:45:00.000+01:00

in profile ... Alison Rose

2011-04-14T15:37:00.000+01:00

Alison Rose Soprano London

in profile ... Johnny Herford

2011-04-13T19:57:00.000+01:00

Johnny Herford Baritone London

Juan

2011-04-13T10:56:00.000+01:00

A new film based on Mozart's Don Giovanni and featuring world famous opera stars, this is Kasper Holten's first film. He is to become director of the Royal Opera House next year. The film premiered on 7th April and has featured at various prestigious film festivals.

http://juanfilm.dk/eng/index.php?page=forsiden

ROH2 OPERASHOTS

2011-04-13T10:21:00.004+01:00

If you havn't already seen it, tickets are still available for the final performances of operashots at the Royal Opera House (ROH 2). A good trailer by ROH2 and what a lineup, no?

On Stage ... Mignon

2011-04-08T09:55:00.000+01:00

On Stage ... Hopes and Fears

2011-04-07T11:00:00.000+01:00

Scenes!

2011-04-06T21:21:00.001+01:00

Into another set of scenes at the Royal Academy of Music. This time featuring music by Bizet, Dove, Britten and Delius amongst others. Lights Up!

in profile ... James Cheung

2011-03-31T23:11:00.000+01:00

James Cheung Pianist London

Sophie

2011-03-30T23:54:00.000+01:00

Robert Tear

2011-03-29T22:35:00.007+01:00

Robert Tear was one of the finest british Tenors of our century, a kind and considerate man, and a truly great artist and musician. I remember performing as a young treble soloist together with 'Bob' and Richard Hickox in the Barbican. He was incredibly calm and patted me on the back smiling reassuringly as we went on. To me, his was an air of grace and accomplishment. A true gentleman and a most loyal stage partner.
I cherished his kind advice before going to university and I was fortunate to work with Robert at the Royal Academy of Music, a place he visited frequently to teach. He enjoyed in particular a rendition of Schubert's Im Fruehling. 'To think of Schubert not as a romantic, but a classical composer' he was keen to point out to me.
It was an honour, Maestro.
Rest in Peace.

Backstage ... focus

2011-03-28T10:47:00.000+01:00

On Stage ... Sophie

2011-03-23T10:20:00.002Z

Nathalie Chalkley as Sophie Scholl in Kommilitonen.

Terry Gilliam at English National Opera

2011-03-22T08:58:00.000Z

'I suppose opera is about a sweep and arc of character and ideas, and in that case half of my films would be an opera'

Terry Gilliam's The Damnation of Faust comes to English National Opera on May 6th.

Royal Academy Opera ... Kommilitonen!

2011-03-21T15:40:00.005Z

Peter Maxwell Davies's new opera Kommilitonen premiered at the Royal Academy of Music in London on Friday to stonking reviews. A sell out audience which included Simon Callow and Lesley Garrett gave standing ovations as David Pountney and Sir Maxwell Davies took their bows. The cast gave a tremendous performance and the final production feels like a true artistic achievement.

Unlike the recent Anne Nicole, a satirical 'docu-opera', the subject matter here is the gritty historical reality of three intertwining stories of student protest and youthful determination against all-powerful regimes: James Meredith as the first black man to enrol in an American University, the sisters Scholl, and their campaign of protest against the Nazi regime and finally the denunciations of the Chinese cultural revolution.

Pountney and 'Max' have collaborated for the third time in this opera and it is hard not to be moved by its intrinsic story telling, the symphonic maturity of the music and the ever horrendous impact of the looming oppressors. Yet we, the cast round up the bitter central highlight of the opera with a grand chorus plea for freedom. It is art to conjure hope; A testament to time. Opera, after all is by no means 'dead'.

There are three more performances at the Royal Academy of Music. Reviews on Times Online, FT.com, Guardian, Telegraph and Evening Standard.

Monday 21 March 2011 19.00
Wednesday 23 March 2011 19.00
Friday 25 March 2011 19.00

In November the production will move to the Juilliard School in New York.

Mitsuko Uchida's London

2011-03-12T18:16:00.000Z

Mitsuko Uchida is one of the greatest pianists of our time. She gave a special masterclass at the Royal Academy of Music last week working with the Academy’s Concert Orchestra on Mozart’s beautiful Piano Concerto no.20 in D minor. She was also presented with the Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music by the Principal, Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood. London truly is a place for free music making!

Styles ... Alma Mahler

2011-03-02T11:36:00.005Z

The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg is staging a Gustav-Mahler-Thomas-Hampson Festival, culminating in a world premier of a film on Mahler's Symphonies and a final concert with the NDR Symphony Orchestra of Mahler Lieder. The great american baritone Thomas Hampson is artist in residence in Hamburg.
What a great picture of Mahler's wife, Alma, listening attentively to the sounds of her husband. Truly, I tell you, Music to move the worlds.
Check out the exciting work at Elbphilharmonie: elbphilharmonie

Styles ... Karajan

2011-03-01T00:12:00.001Z

Das Lied 2011

2011-02-28T12:49:00.001Z

DAS LIED is fast becoming one of the most prestigious song competitions in the world, not least because of its first class Jury, the demanding repertoire selection and the lucrative prize monies involved. The winners of this year were announced on saturday and the competition ended with a final concert on sunday. Without doubt there is a great resurgence of interest in the German Lied repertoire especially amongst young singers. I feel privileged to have become witness to so much Lied attention outside of Germany! It is a great treasure trove of classical art, I believe one of the many art pillars of our modern society.

1st prize: € 30,000 - AMIRA ELMADFA

2nd prize: € 15,000 - MARTIN HÄßLER

Joint 3rd prize: € 7,500 - ANNA HUNTLEY & DAVID PICHLMAIER

Prize for pianists: € 10,000 – JAMES BAILLIEU

Prize for most promising future talent: AARNE PELKONEN & JUHO ALAKÄRPPÄ

Public’s Choice Winner: BENJAMIN APPL

The next DAS LIED competition will be held in Berlin in 2013.

Vogue!

2011-02-20T17:50:00.000Z

Now, here's a thought: How many London Fashion Week goers have heard of ROH's new production of Anne Nicole, and where is all their advertisement going? No doubt, more artists should be buyers, and more buyers should be artists...

London A/W 2011

2011-02-20T17:42:00.000Z

London Fashion Week A/W 2011. It's that time of the year again. The Osman Show was beautiful. No doubt, Fashion is Art.

Styles ... Levi Organist

2011-02-12T18:10:00.003Z

Wayne Weaver is an Organist, Harpsichordist and choral conductor in Edinburgh. He was Choral Scholar at Bradford Cathedral and St Mary's Episcopal, before going on to study Music at Edinburgh University. Since, Wayne has been Organist and assistant at St Giles and St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh as well as running several local choirs.

Dancing Cantata

2011-02-11T10:26:00.001Z

Dancing to the sounds of a Bach Cantata in Wellington College Chapel. Great art fusion.

in profile ... Jonathan McGovern

2011-02-05T18:27:00.003Z

Jonathan McGovern Baritone London

Diary: Fridays

2011-02-04T10:33:00.000Z

Looking forward to spring now! The diary is full: Maxwell Davies' New Opera Production for March, Weil's Dreigroschenoper (the Threepenny Opera) in May, Opera Scenes in April. We are also working on a selection of Russian Songs by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, soon to be performed! And finally Schumann's Liederkreis (Op.39), a collection of 12 songs based on the most exquisite poems.
Make sure to get tickets for the new production of Ann Nicole at ROH. Exposure | Snapshots of new Operas currently runs at ROH 2 (Good Luck my friends!) and of course everyone wants to see Kate Royal in ROH's Magic Flute. Happy Spring!

Into the Off

2011-01-31T11:14:00.000Z

Pearl Fishers Duet

2011-01-26T16:36:00.002Z

Here is the duet from last nights Southbank Awards on YouTube. Note, I am page turning ;)

Jocelyn at the Southbank Awards!

2011-01-25T22:25:00.001Z

Jocelyn Freeman is a young pianist currently finishing her studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Today I accompanied her to the Sky Arts Southbank Awards at the Dorchester Hotel London. The prestigious awards are given out annually and are a true melting pot of all that we love of art and pop culture! Jocelyn played for none other than Bryn Terfel and Alfie Boe performing an excellent rendition of the Pearl Fisher's duet. I loved the vibe today. Nigel Kennedy was in great form and the girls of Bond truly rocked the floor. The Opera prize went to WNO and their Production of Meistersinger, which made Bryn a happy man. Congratulations all round for a great day! Oh, and we love the Dorchester ...

Puritani

2011-01-24T23:57:00.000Z

stage smiles

2011-01-23T21:46:00.000Z

Cupid

2011-01-22T11:09:00.002Z

Spring Scenes!

2011-01-19T22:26:00.002Z

Kommilitonen!

2011-01-17T12:48:00.005Z

Starting work on ...

Kommilitonen!

Royal Academy Opera
Royal Academy of Music Sinfonia
Jane Glover conductor
David Pountney director
Robert Innes Hopkins designer
James Farncombe lighting designer
Carolyn Choa choreographer

Royal Academy Opera is thrilled to present the world première of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’s opera Kommilitonen! (‘Young Blood!’), co-commissioned with The Juilliard School, who will present the opera in Autumn 2011 in New York.

No doubt this will grab the attention of everyone. Maxwell Davies's composition seems incredibly detailed, meticulously researched and thought provoking depicting the struggles of the 'White Rose' in Nazi Germany, the cultural Revolution in China and the segregation struggle in America. Performances on Friday 18, Monday 21, Wednesday 23 and Friday 25 March

A Miller's Maid

2011-01-14T22:13:00.003Z

Marcus Farnsworth and James Cheung in rehearsal for their performance of Die Schoene Muellerin by Schubert.

This, alongside Winterreise, is likely Schubert's most famous work. A cycle of German romantic songs about the love of a young apprentice to a miller's maid. It is incredible how much these songs are still able to capture the spirit of a young human soul. Famously difficult to perform, they are a real challenge for any young singer.
Marcus and James did a terrific job at portraying the young man destined to die as he fails to accept lost love. A real feat of concentration, this is a highlight for any music fan.
For great performances of Schubert songs check out London's Wigmore Hall or New York Carnegie Hall. Or just come and see Marcus and James soon! Before they perform at Carnegie ...

Cinderella's Pub

2011-01-07T17:02:00.001Z

2011-01-07T16:58:00.003Z

Classical Music is tight yo

Kanye West

Cinderella in waiting

2010-12-23T11:27:00.004Z

Here is some Publicity work I did for Opera Up Close, the Pub Opera which recently has enthralled London audiences with their witty rendition of Puccini's La Boheme. This is Cinderella, eagerly waiting for a bus ...

Cinderella runs at the King's Head Theatre, London's little opera house, until January 18th.

Our Voice

2010-12-22T15:20:00.000Z

'To sing is the most human of the art form delivery, more than perhaps an instrument which has to be tuned mechanically: You are the tuner, you are the vessel, everything depends on how you feel as a person. It is for you to hear how beautiful your instrument is. From you to you with much much love. That way you can send it out to the public because they make the careers. Once they accept you, and your freedom to be, and your love of singing, they never leave you, there is no love like that.'

Leontyne Price

Alex Ross talks to Paul Morley

2010-12-12T15:00:00.001Z

Schubert and Mahler with Laila Barnat

2010-12-10T12:41:00.000Z

Black Swan

2010-12-05T16:42:00.003Z

Black Swan opened in the US on 3rd December. Featuring Natalie Portman, it is set within the artistic world of the New York City Ballet. It's sexy, it's spooky. I've always had a crush on Portman ;)

Portrait ... John-Owen Miley-Read

2010-12-02T11:11:00.002Z

26 year old Australian bass John-Owen Miley-Read warming up as Don Alfonso for Cosi fan tutte. In 2011 Owen will give his debut at the Royal Opera House as the Prime Minister in Massenet's Cendrillon and as Masetto in Don Giovanni with Lyric Opera Dublin.

Backstage ... A Wig and Make-Up

2010-11-29T11:19:00.001Z

Despina (Aoife Miskelly) getting ready for the stage.

The final production of Cosi fan tutte features tonight at the Royal Academy of Music.
Also tonight, Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld opens at the International Opera School of the Royal College of Music, running till 4th December.

Diary ... Advent

2010-11-28T13:37:00.005Z

Temperatures have dropped. Snow has been announced for most of the UK. It's the time of the Christmas Oratorios, of Messiahs. It's hard not to be busy as a singer around Christmas.
For January I am preparing a scene from Handel's Giulio Cesare, playing the role of Achilla, a hearty bass-baritone role.
I am finally beginning to look at the last remaining major Mozart role, Guglielmo from Cosi fan tutte. Including lots of ensemble music, it is a comprehensive part, very much essential to the modern core repertoire.
Preparing new Lied repertoire, I am working on a collection of Abendlieder, Evening Songs inspired by German folk songs and repertoire by Schubert, Schumann and Brahms. What better way to finish the week than to work with Roger Vignoles on 'Alinde' or 'Auf der Bruck'.

Backstage ... Cosi

2010-11-27T15:36:00.000Z

Don Alfonso and Despina

2010-11-26T08:46:00.001Z

Don Alfonso convinces Despina to help thicken the plot by bribing her into helping to conceal the true identity of the strangers that are about to change the lives of the two sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella...

Cosi opens

2010-11-23T08:28:00.001Z

What a great opening night of Cosi Fan Tutte at the Royal Academy. The show runs this Wednesday and Friday and next Monday.

The Cosi ensemble

2010-11-21T10:38:00.001Z

Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte premiers with Royal Academy Opera tomorrow, Monday 22 November.
Jane Glover conductor
John Cox director

Royal Academy Opera ... Cosi Fan Tutte

2010-11-20T01:16:00.001Z

Aoife Miskelly as Despina

James Rhodes

2010-11-18T18:13:00.000Z

James is the new kid on the block. Endless Talent combined with a great story and attitude, he is an artist for all the right reasons. Make sure you get to see this one soon!

Angela Gheorghiu and Jonas Kaufmann

2010-11-15T16:56:00.002Z

Following the ROH dress rehearsal of Adriana Lecouvreur, Angela and Jonas dropped by the ROH shop for a signing. Its the speak of the town at the moment as this new co-production with Vienna State Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Liceu, Barcelona, and Opéra Bastille premieres on Thursday. Literally everyone wants a ticket for this one.

RAM Scenes in action

2010-11-10T09:50:00.000Z

Angelika Kirchschlager

2010-11-06T00:40:00.003Z

Angelika Kirchschlager following her performance at Wigmore. A beautiful artist, she has so much time for people and young artists in the making. The performance is incredibly intimate, her music smiles to the audience. In between pieces she chuckles, at the beginning she whispers to the audience ... 'Hausmusik!'

RAM Scenes Up close

2010-11-05T08:43:00.002Z

Young Opera Singers up close and personal! This is the latest set of scenes featuring postgraduate students of the Academy. They include Die Fledermaus, Manon and Rosenkavalier. Scenes are prepared over a period of two months, are sung in original language and often with spoken dialogue. I am currently preparing Achilla from Giulio Cesare for January.

Diary ... Air Miles

2010-11-03T12:39:00.001Z

Fantastic Concert last night yet again at Wigmore Hall.

Christopher Maltman and Malcolm Martineau as part of the Wigmore series on 100 Years of German Song 1810–1910.
Speaking to Chris at the end, two things struck my mind. He was keen to point out that he feels he is still working technically, extending range and vocal ability: and that fundamentally it is all down to 'air miles'; Gaining experience over time on the job. It is great to see professionals being so humble. And then rock the show when it comes down to it.

The series continues Friday with Angelika Kirschlager. See you there!

Alle Seelen ruhn in Frieden

2010-11-03T11:53:00.001Z

Recently, my dear dear Grandfather passed away, severely ill with Cancer.

Joseph Schilcher was and always will be a great inspiration to me. He introduced me to photography and was an ardent follower of the arts. He painted and wrote and dedicated most of his life to the teaching of others about language and History.
As a young boy, he was swept up to serve in the Second World War. With great cunning and incredible maturity he not only survived but stayed true to his own beliefs and values of righteousness.

On the evening of the 2. October 1943, he witnessed the final performance of the Bavarian State Opera, Eugen d'Albert's Tiefland , conducted by Meinhard von Zallinger, before the 'National Theater' was destroyed by night Bombing Raids on the 3. October.
As young students, they had gone to all the performances in their spare time. Hitler's youth for war, searching for music, poetry and song.

Following a solemn funeral in the old town of Munich, singing Bach and Schubert for all the souls, I found a small cupboard in the flat: It contained, yes the most wonderful collection of old gramophone records. Solti, Schwarzkopf, Dieskau; Wolf Moerike Lieder, Brahms, Requiems and Masses, Mozart and Beethoven Sonatas and more more more.
I will sit many a time, listening to his old records, remembering a great man; I will wish he was there, and we would talk of all the great times and of Art, of the opera, of German poets and song, of politics, old and new.

Opa wir vermissen dich sehr...

Alle Seelen ruhn in Frieden

Runaway

2010-10-27T22:26:00.003+01:00

Kanye West Runaway
An opera

More Opera in Pubs

2010-10-18T17:45:00.000+01:00

'The Barber of Seville' @ London's Little Opera House at the King's Head Theatre from Blind Crow Pictures on Vimeo.

in profile ... Aoife Miskelly

2010-10-16T19:36:00.002+01:00

Aoife Miskelly Soprano London

Aoife is a first year Opera School student at the Royal Academy of Music. She is currently in rehearsal for Cosi fan Tutte singing the role of Despina. Other forthcoming performances will include Bach's Magnificat and Christmas Oratorio, the Monteverdi Vespers, the Stravinsky Mass 17, Mozart's Coronation Mass and Regina Caeli, Handel's Messiah with Laurence Cummings, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, a lunchtime recital at the Colston Hall Bristol, and a Wigmore Hall recital with the Royal Academy Song Circle.
Next year, Aoife will create the role of Sophie in the world premier of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' opera Komilitonen! (Young Blood!).

Art is Style because .... it addresses all of us. In so many ways.

A 1st Birthday and the Wieskirch Canvas

2010-10-15T09:37:00.003+01:00

I am happy to say that maximilianvanlondon.com is one year old!
Here is a big thank you to everyone out there. You have all been so supportive and its been a real treat all along. It was extraordinary to receive so much feedback from all across the globe.

Art is Style! What we do now as classically trained artists has become more important than ever. It has become accessible to audiences across the board. We have broken all kinds of boundaries, we are free to experiment, free to produce and create.
This is a great time. Music and Opera are like living paintings. They allow us to see the past and create a new future. And we can all be part! We are free to listen, to watch, to mingle, to decide, to judge, to criticise, to indulge and to be inspired. We are the Art, we are the Opera.

I celebrated on the weekend. Together with fine young musicians we performed in one of Europe's most beautiful Baroque Churches, the 'Wieskirche' near Munich. The programme included Bach and Handel and finished with Handel's 'Why do the Nations' from the Messiah. There is nothing quite like making Baroque music within a true Baroque setting. It's like performing within one of these ancient canvases. And when we step out, we have created a new part to our world.

Friends, this is our time!

(picture source (Pic.1): Parkhotel Bayersoien am See)

Diary ... Munich and Kirill

2010-10-06T13:07:00.002+01:00

Diary: Wednesday 6th - Flight Munich; Thursday 7th Munich; Friday 8th Augsburg - Rehearsals; Wieskirch - Concert; Saturday 9th Bad Bayersoien - Rehearsal/Concert; Sunday 10th - London ...

Notes: The Munich State Opera have just announced Kirill Petrenko as new General Music Director. Great to see so many young new faces! The current schedule includes Il Barbiere di Seviglia and Medea in Corinto featuring Alastair Miles, who popped straight over to Munich following the final night of Niobe at the Royal Opera House on Sunday.
Also, Schliengensief's final project opera premiered in Berlin under Daniel Barenboim: 'Metanoia', featuring Annette Dasch. And Kristina Opolais is now tweeting for the Munich State Opera on the coming production of Rusalka . This is one to follow. "http://twitter.com/#!/bay_staatsoper"
Right, off to work on Music in trains, planes and airports ...

Adina

2010-10-04T15:28:00.000+01:00

Anna as Adina in L'elisir d'amore by Donizetti

from the balconies

2010-10-03T20:52:00.000+01:00