Quoting Michael Loo to Nancy Backus on 01-23-19 08:02 <=-

formulation is, which is to be first, the words
or the music. Strauss's answer, which I agree
with, was "Primo la musica, dopo le parole" -
i.e., the music first, then the words.

I prefer the music over the words, generally... A now long-gone morning announcer on WXXI used to play "opera without words" regularly... most
of it was quite listenable to... ;) I'll admit, though, that I do
enjoy opera a little better if I see it in person on stage, so that the story isn't lost in the screeching... ;)

Usually the story is negligible to laughable,
and the words fake meaningful commentary or
self-consciously witty, with frequent breaking
of the fourth wall. Clearly Mr. Hoffmannsthal
was a bit big for his britches.

True... it still makes at least negligibly better sense when seeing it
staged, at least to me.... ;)

I'm reminded also of the "Columbian" Te Deum and the
"Indian" (as in woo-woo) violin sonata.

I guess even the best composers have their less than stellar moments...
as you've mentioned before, actually.. ;)

Some people work well under deadline or
on commission; some don't.

True. :)

Everyone should know what to do with gray
leftover potatoes and sprouted onions.

I suppose.... also sprouted potatoes.... (G)

Though those are mildly toxic.

Haven't killed us yet... ;)

Nature does try, sometimes.

We do try to keep a balance, of course.. :)

ttyl neb

... "Another plate of steamers all around!" Tom clamored.

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