STORIES - Music
Music
I do not understand the first thing about written music, there is a vague recollection of someone trying to teach me in primary school, and probably giving up as a lost cause. My first introduction to Opera, well at least Operetta, was Mario Lanza, when I seen the movie version of The Student Prince in the 1950’s. Did I really fall in love with Prince Karl ( actor Edmond Purdom) at the ripe old age of 10 or 11, or was I just captivated by the singing of Mario Lanza, dubbed into the role; Did I even know that the actor and singer were two different people. I cannot remember the plot but remember a lot of the lyrics.
However the seed had been planted and love of opera, after surviving periods of drought, finally flourished on seeing Joan Sutherland in Lucia de Lammermoor at the Sydney Opera House in 1980.
With music I really only started listening to the ABC at night while in the Navy, probably about twenty years old and really liked the romantic (Brahms, etc} and the flashy (1812 Overture). My taste matured with age and gradually discovered single instruments. I never did learn to love organ music nor have I much liked brass, with a particular aversion to trumpet and similar. especially first thing in the morning. However some instruments such as violin went from hate to adoration. My favourite instruments, currently, are piano, violin and cello.