by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
The Magic Flute
What is the attraction to opera?
It is symphony and brass band, plus more.
It is ballet and passionate couples, but still more.
It is theater with murder and lust and gentle creatures, and yet much, much more.
I saw my first opera at the age of 10, it was a travelling company performing a snippet of the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart opera “The Magic Flute.” It was loud and boisterous.
by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
Natalia Lafourcade
There is a legendary tale in Mexico (and the American southwest) about a beautiful woman who weeps in anguish and sheds many tears.
She is a woman whose children died.
It is said that her ghost haunts the rivers and streams and waterways because her children drowned.
And she drowned them herself – in anger against her husband’s unfaithfulness.
Among the stories told and re-told in families with Hispanic traditions,
the tale of “La LLorona” (lah yore-RONE-nah) is probably the scariest.
I have heard versions in English and in Spanish,
and with a very few embellishment, the haunting cries of this distraught woman give chills to this day.
(Thanks to my Tío Andrés, our Spanish folktale story teller.)
by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
Eric Clapton
Can you believe we have reached the Top Spot?
Thank you for following this blog and sharing it with your friends and family.
I always appreciate your interest and comments.
And now, “The next voice you hear . . . “
This song, the saddest of rock and roll, expresses the ultimate experience
a person could ever engage in
for the sake of a perceived want or for the sake of love.
For the loser, the loss cannot be calculated.
For the hurt, the despair is of a depth which can never be plumbed.
When we ourselves decide there is no other way to secure a valued relationship,
we – without question – cross a line . . .
Historically, forbidden love is exciting. But even the modern day seeker of forbidden love must follow rules, especially when a sweetheart belongs to another. How far have men gone to give a passionate embrace to another woman? King David made that bad choice. How far would a woman go to get the man she thinks is her soul mate? Well, let’s see. We have infamously stained dresses and a very high divorce rate among Los Angeles and New York actors for infidelity. Just the same, there has been no female version of “Say Anything.” Let’s not hold our breath for a woman so single-minded. What does a lovelorn man do when the object of his desire and passion is already taken?
by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
Here are the songs that were certainly on the order of sad/ melancholy. Obviously, they had so much more anger or enthusiasm than the numbered ones that they floated on the proverbial pool of tears. Nevertheless, I was determined to root out the rock and roll songs that sank to the bottom of despair and discouragement. Apparently, there is a lot of gloomy frustration and heartbreak amongst us.
Real life is why we have so many tortured souls who seek out artistic ways to deal with and work out their issues. Thank heaven for music.
Here are a group of songs with a heavy touch of sadness. They are so good, and thankfully still enjoyable, without kicking up any trauma or ripping off any scabs of pain during the performance.
I share them with you below. The next installment will be the #1 saddest of all. Promise.
by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
I missed a light
because I followed the speed limit
I did not die.
I put my phone down and listened to the engine
idle smoothly, then headed across a bumpy road
which reminded me of my childhood.
by Lawrence J. J. Leonard
Beyond the concentration of handicraft
above the slumber of well-fed babes
turn the head ever so slightly and
pass through the realm awaiting.
