The Young, The Old, The Coward; and Tan Dun.

When it comes to los toros, everything seems possible;-)! Yes, well, I know an aficion for Los Toros is not everyone's cup o' tea, BUT one has to give credit where it is due - for courage, endurance and even, admission of failure.

'Michelito' Lagravere, (most matadors are known by the diminutive -ito - tacked onto names - as in Joselito) at 12 one of the youngest matadors, is the son of a French Matador - a 'new matador line' has begun?

On the other hand there is 67 year old Frank Evans, born in Manchester UK, now a Spanish national re-entering the arena after major surgeries. And he is in remarkable good shape, slender and pliable.

And then there is 22 year old Mexican, Cristian Hernandez, who lacks 'the equipment' to fight bulls.. as seen in this video clip ;-).

Here, at least, he admits it before causing many toreristas or toristas to shell out mucho pesos to see a running - no not bull - matador !

Paid his fine, was released and shook off the sands of the arena for ever, we assume!

Wish some other athletes would be as honest in admitting their failings ;-)

With no major hockey news (the little that is happening - multi hockey bloggers are fighting over it to write up during this dry spell until the draft has begun, and the "auction of young and eager boys" is underway ;-) once more.

And a small dearth of opera news here in Houston, at least.. There are numerous summer opera festivals worldwide.. but while we do NOT lack the time, the pockets are not full enough to hie ourselves everywhere, we'd love to go to satiate us with opera.

Thankfully, THERE are recordings.. not at all the same as LIVE opera, but beggars can't be choosers, LOL.
We DID watch a DVD of Tan Dun's "MARCO POLO", an opera within an opera - so called - the other evening and were totally fascinated by the composer's use of 'voices as instruments'. And the visually stunning effects and costumes.

All I can say: WOW, double WOW !

It simply floored us experience how and what a voice can do, and does, in totally unexpected ways. Fabulous.

His operas are Tea (seen in Santa Fe) and First Emperor (seen as a Met Simulcast) and Marco Polo (DVD from Netherlands). And a sample of his use of WATER below...

He composed film music (Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon) - BTW, that was a stunning film overall.

And made his mark by his bold, unconventional use of classical Eastern and Western instruments, as well as 'organic' instruments such as water, sheets of paper etc.

Whichever of his music we've heard, has caught our attention and drawn us into the unreal and yet fetching, sounds, baffling and delightful at the same time.