The so-called casino concept: Wein, Weib und Gesang

We moved on to the second act of "The Queen of Spades." This is a video from the Liceu Theater in 2003. I didn't watch the video at first, but it was full-on Mozart. At least if you listen to the sound alone, it's a very outlandish parody expression, and the connection to the previous act is completely incomprehensible.

For example, under Ozawa's conducting, the performance proceeded smoothly, but here, a strange effect was created from a slight Tchaikovsky touch. I noticed that it had an effect like a reversal of light. However, under Petrenko's conducting at that time, at least it felt like an extremely long introduction. There are many ways to imagine how it will sound at Easter this time, but the contrast with the scene afterwards, when the main character Hermann reminisces in the bed of the countess's grandmother in search of the secret of the card game, is likely to be enormous.

What is surprising in its extraordinary nature are the many overlapping piano and forte indications, which make you think that they are no longer volume indications but other musical expressions, as is also familiar from "Pathétique". This also reveals Hermann's perverse psychology, which is so strong that he sneaks into the bed of a dying old woman, and it gives the impression of a completely late romanticism that almost approaches expressionism in a society where even gender identity cannot be made public.

In normal romanticism, the aristocratic hobbies of the rococo in the first half are exactly the psychology that drives Hermann to gambling, but here, the fact that such an insurmountable status has already become a historical relic is shown in the form of a parody. In other words, Hermann's gambling urge is now identified with neoliberal beliefs. This is what is called the outdated casino concept.

Fortunately, there was no further snowfall. This confirmed that we could drive on Monday morning with summer tires without any problems. The forecast said that it would no longer be below freezing from Tuesday. Incidentally, the weather on Saturday, the first day of Easter, is questionable, but the weekend is normal, and it will be like summer from the second performance of "The Queen of Spades" on the following Tuesday.

Now I can take the plants that I temporarily evacuated indoors on the balcony again on Monday afternoon. I don't remember doing this every year. It was so warm at the end of March, so it's unusual to have spring-like days like this year. Normally, April is often hot like summer, but it looks like the comfortable days will continue for a while, so I should be able to wear long-sleeved shirts.

Now I think I can go out in the same outfit from the first day to Sunday, and change from Tuesday. I have a little more time to think about it.

My leg is not in bad condition considering I used it thoroughly. However, there are still some uncomfortable areas. I used it on the downhill on Friday without protecting it much, so it still feels uncomfortable. It's not completely healed. But I think I can use it again around Tuesday.

I started gaining weight after running three times a week. If I don't exercise in a way that makes the excess fat get in the way, I won't lose weight no matter how many times I move. Running is still the most efficient way.

Reference: Artistic expression that risks everything 2022-04-03 | Culture in general The spine-chilling sounds from the abyss 2022-04-02 | Sound