I would like to begin with an apology, because the opera on which this review is based was fabulous but, unfortunately, if you haven’t seen it already then you have probably missed it. Keep reading, though, because there is still the rest of the programme to enjoy.

Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catan – taking its reference from the works of Gabriel Garci Marquez, is sung in Spanish, and is a treat for the eyes as well as the ears. The puzzle is, if this beguiling opera first appeared in 1996, how has it passed me by? The singing is sublime and successfully marries first class puppetry and ballet; comedy and pathos. The scenery and puppetry immediately transport one to a tropical rainforest complete with animals: a monkey, a shoal of piranha fish, a crocodile are just some of the characters we meet on this journey up the Amazon, which rather contrasts with the miserable weather conditions that greeted my arrival at the cinema.

Miserable conditions in New York? Nope, for rather than crossing the Atlantic, I enjoyed this at my local cinema but that is the whole purpose of live streamed performances, of which Live from the Met is one of the best.

I would not pretend that the cinema experience is the same as sitting in the Met (or the Royal Opera House or La Scala). However, for the price of a cinema ticket around £18.00, you can feel as though you are sitting in the orchestra stalls or even on the stage itself. As you take your seat the audience in New York are taking theirs, and when the lights dim, that same feeling of anticipation manifests itself on a cold rainy December evening in the UK.

I had been invited to review three operas, and whilst making my selection I discovered another advantage. Thanks to the low cost and the proximity of the cinema to home, one can afford to be a little adventurous. My first selection was first staged at the Metropolitan Opera House 10 years ago so, I thought, if this was going to be revisited it must have merit. My second choice, the aforementioned ‘Florencia en al Amazonas’ was an opera completely unknown to me, but I could afford to take a chance, which is a luxury I can’t permit myself when the tickets are around the £200 mark. If priced lower, I am invariably sat somewhere close to the roof. (Please note this is not a criticism of the cost of tickets for the opera. When you see what is involved it represents value for money but is not an amount that I am willing to risk on an unheard-of (to me) opera.)

So, if you get the opportunity to experience, ‘Florencia en al Amazonas’ snap it up. Believe me, you will not regret treating yourself to a ticket. If, however, you are kicking yourself for missing this gem, check out what operas are still to be beamed live into a cinema near you.

The next opportunity to enjoy a ‘Live from the Met’ performance is on January 6^th and it is the classic Verdi’s ‘Nabucco‘, an opera I last saw in Verona, I know it is one I will hugely enjoy – just as well it’s not too long a wait.

Images courtesy of the Met

The 2024 performances are as follows:

 Nabucco (6th January)

Carmen (27th January)

La Forza del Destino (9th March)

Roméo et Juliette (23rd March)

La Rondine (20th April)

Madama Butterfly (11th May)

https://metliveinhd.co.uk/

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Sometimes the old traditions are the best aren’t they? And what’s more traditional than clutching a post-Christmas lunch Baileys whilst puzzling over your elderly uncle’s silent contortions, which apparently depict either a book, film, TV or song – AKA Charades of course. Personally I just love it, particularly after a second or perhaps third large Baileys. But what about the kids? After all Christmas is about the kids too, isn’t it?

Fear not, that marvellous games company, Cheatwell has produced a solution – Kids Charades. Staying true to the original game, the only real difference is that the categories are child-friendly and the category tokens are brightly coloured with easy to read numbers. How great, as it means that the kids can feel part of the fun too, and improve their reading, self-expression and confidence in the process.

Recommended ages are six and above (and that does include adults too). There are a choice of six categories on each card, ranging from very easy mimes such as ‘washing the car’ or ‘hamburger’ to the more challenging ‘The Wizard of Oz” or “Free Kick’ so even the younger children can find something they can mime. The rule book also includes tips on how to help the most junior family members join in, which is useful.  

The game comes with three decks of category cards, a sand timer, dice, tokens to collect for each category and rules. The first team to guess a mime in all six categories wins.

Of course I had to road test this with my seven and four year old grandkids and I can confirm it is a lot of fun. Oh, and the grandkids enjoyed it too. The seven-year old did a great impression of a unicorn (I think you can imagine) and whereas the four year old’s portrayal of eating spaghetti was somewhat abstract, fortunately Grannie was able to make an inspired ‘guess’ due to the fact that she’d helped him to read the clue in the first place, but that didn’t seem to detract from his pleasure.

So I can really recommend this fabulous game, for Christmas day, kid’s parties or any family gathering. Whilst six-year olds could handle it easily with adults present, they’d probably need to be a little older to play it completely amongst themselves. Available from the Cheatwell website for £17 it makes a lovely stocking filler.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Alcohol is a true preservative in so many ways, isn’t it? I’m not just talking about that jar of cherries in brandy which magically appears at Christmas. The history of a nation, its culture, a whole way of life is so often captured within a fine glass bottle. And no, these aren’t the ramblings of someone who’s already had a few drops too many, at least not on this occasion.

Wine of course is the best-known example – the taste and character reflecting the country, the very soil, the workers, their methods and the love with which it has been made and stored.

The different rums of the West Indies tell a whole tale within each bottle, as do the home-made Rakias of Bulgaria and Czechian Slivovitz.

But closer to home we have our own custodians of tradition. What stories of hardship and survival in the Scottish Highlands or the Lowland moors are stored within a bottle of malt whisky? So many differing choices – their individual tastes reflecting the region, the local peat, the casks in which they’re matured, the pure Scottish air and the struggles of the people themselves.

So I was super excited to discover a particularly special blend of malt scotch whisky – The Guard Bridge, created by Eden Mill. Even the names conjure memories of a distant time.

The Eden Mill story started in1655, when Robert Haig of Throsk was summoned before the kirk session for the crime of distilling whisky on the Sabbath, on the banks of the Eden Estuary. By the mid-1800s this same site was home to the Seggie Whisky Distillery until it closed and was replaced by a paper mill. But now Eden Mill are continuing the tradition in this unique location, which is responsible for the gentle, light character of their single malt, Eden Mill St Andrews, described as having accentuating notes of citrus, honey and delicate spices.

Eden Mill have gone one step further however. By blending their own malt with at least ten other single malts from across Scotland, including an 8 year old, they’ve created The Guard Bridge. It combines the sweet, grassy, floral profile of the Lowlands with the robust, barley-sweet and dried fruit notes of Highland whiskies. It’s described as creamy vanilla with barley sugar leading to mellow oaky spice and finishing with sherried fruit and light warm gingerbread. I can only agree with all of this, I found it simply delicious – many layers of flavour and very smooth.

Even the name reflects local tradition, inspired by the 15th century Guard Bridge, said to have been used by both pilgrims and St Andrew’s University students. 

At £45.00 for a 70cl bottle in a beautiful presentation box The Guard Bridge would be a welcome gift for any devotee of malt whisky.

Unusually, Eden Mill also produces some rather good gins, using finest botanicals combined with traditional distillation techniques and modern innovation. I’m particularly impressed by their Passion Gin – a fusion of passion fruit, coconut and orange, which comes as a very attractive gift set with a beautiful hand-made candle for £45.

So I’m planning to have a very merry Christmas. How about you?

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.