Claudio Villa and Sergio Bruni - two great Italian popular singers

There was a time when other than British and American recordings were widely listened to in Europe. Particularly, fine Italian singers, like Claudio Villa and Sergio Bruni were immensely popular - and not undeservedly. These are two of my own favourite songs:

Simple pleasures nr 14: A nostalgic walk in your neighbourhood

The other day I discovered that there is some really nice oldfashioned countryside quite close to where I  now live. I almost felt like walking in a time-machine, nostalgically recalling fond childhood memories, not from here, but from an environment that was not unlike this one:


Just enjoying a beautiful summer´s day

This old horse-chestnut tree in full bloom is a mighty sight

Sheep grazing contribute to a feeling of  less stress

This kind of wind power I like

During my walk this beautiful song by Schumann came into my mind, here performed by the unforgettable Fritz Wunderlich:

Sofiero castle park - full of rhododendrons

My morning walk today brought me to the Sofiero castle, just a few kilometers north of the city of  Helsingborg on the Swedish side of the Sound. The castle, which used to be the summer residence of  the Swedish kings Oscar II (1829-1907) and Gustaf Adolf (1882-1973), is famous for its park - last year it was chosen as the most beautiful park in Europe. The castle park is at its best this time of the year, when the more than 10.000 rhododendrons are blooming.

Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Crown Princess Margareta (the UK  princess  Margaret of Connaught) received Sofiero as a wedding gift. They took both a great interest in gardening. The gardens of the estate were redesigned in an English style. As Crown Princess Margaret published two books, Vår trädgård på Sofiero ("Our Garden at Sofiero) and Från blomstergården , illustrated with her own drawings and photographs, which were sold for the benefit of household schools. 

Gustaf Adolf, then Crown Prince, planted his first rhododendron in Sofiero already in 1907. Later on he became an avid collector of rhdodendrons. When he died, there were already 5000 of them.

Here are a some of today´s rhodies:

More information about Sofiero here, and here

Breakfast on the lawn

                This lady blackbird seemed to enjoy her breakfast on the lawn this morning.

An oystercatcher in Øresund

This oystercatcher was in search of something else than oysters to eat this afternoon in Øresund. I like the rather elegant body and beak shape of these maritime birds.

I do no think there is a great number of oystercatcher poems, but I found this one from the poetry book "Poems and Sketches Inspired by North Uist" by Mary Lewis.


The Oystercatcher
The oystercatcher is a delight
Dressed in smart black jacket
With pressed white waistcoat
And twinkling eye
But who suggested the bright pink stockings
And vermillion orange beak
Did God arrange this
For the "Servant of Bride"
Who hid Christ in the seaweed
I love this bird
With colours too daring for all
But the likes of a rothko
The discordance tuned so fine
That the absurdity warms the soul
And lights up the day.

Joachim Bäckström - A future world class tenor from Sweden

Good operatic tenors are always in great demand. That´s why it is particularly satisfying to know that there is a young Swedish tenor, Joachim Bäckström, who is very much on his way to international stardom, and deservedly so. I had the pleasure to hear Bäckström in a recital in Helsingborg a couple of weeks ago, and was very impressed. In addition to possessing a beautiful, natural voice, Bäckström also is an outstanding scene personality, who already at this early stage of his career is able to give convincing interpretations of such demanding songs as Sibelius´s "Säv, säv, susa" and "Demanten på marssnön". Bäckström also sung Lenski´s aria, "Kuda, kuda, kuda" and "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" better than many famous tenors. I am convinced that a great future is in store for this young Swedish singer.

On this amateur video from 2009 Bäckström sings Kalinka at a concert with a Swedish student choir. The recording is not very good, but I think that one can hear that this is a singer with an extraordinary voice:

For more information on Joachim Bäckström, visit his agent´s presentation page.

Costa Luminosa in Øresund

The Italian owned Costa Luminosa early this morning entered Øresund on its way to Copenhagen. The impressive 294 meter long cruise ship, which was built in 2009 by Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani , takes 2260 passengers. Later today the Luminosa will begin its Baltic cruise with stop-overs in Tallin, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm. This is an ideal time to cruise in the Baltic, because usually the weather is very fine in May and June.

The Costa Luminosa approaching Helsingør at 05..38 this morning

The Costa Luminosa is called "the ship of the light". The videos on the Costa home page will show you why.