Today is the National Anniversary of Greek Independence. It may be known as ‘World War II National Holiday’. The day is also called ‘Ochi Day’ or ‘Oxi’ Day anniversary (pronounced ‘ohi’) in celebration of Greece’s refusal to yield to the powers of the Axis in 1940.
At 3am on October 28th 1940, an ultimatum from Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini was handed to former military general and Prime Minister of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas at his home in Kifissia by the Italian Ambassador of Athens, Emanuele Grazzi. The ultimatum required the free passage of the Italian army through the Greek-Albanian border, signalling the Italian occupation of some strategic areas of Greece.
After reading the letter, Metaxas turned to the Italian Ambassador and famously responded “Ochi!” – “No!” in Greek.
That “No!” brought Greece into the second world war on the side of the Allies. Indeed, for a period, Greece was Britain’s only ally against Hitler. Not only did Greece rebuke Mussolini’s demands, but they also seized the offensive and drove the Italians back through most of Albania.
Very large dog!
Pelicans…
Today is the birthday, in 1940, of British singer Wayne Fontana, who had the 1966 UK No.2 single with Mindbenders, ‘Groovy Kind Of Love’, and the 1965 US No.1 single ‘Game Of Love’. Fontana died from cancer on 6 August 2020 at the age of 74. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8kq1IU7Y44
Yesterday was the birthday, in 1838, of Georges Bizet, a French composer of the Romantic era. Best known for his operas in a career cut short by his early death, Bizet achieved few successes before his final work, Carmen, which has become one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the entire opera repertoire.
Bizet struggled through his entire career to gain recognition. He found that the main Parisian opera theatres preferred the established classical repertoire to the works of newcomers. His keyboard and orchestral compositions were likewise largely ignored; as a result, his career stalled, and he earned his living mainly by arranging and transcribing the music of others.
After his death, his work, apart from Carmen, was generally neglected. Manuscripts were given away or lost, and published versions of his works were frequently revised and adapted by other hands. He founded no school and had no obvious disciples or successors. After years of neglect, his works began to be performed more frequently in the 20th century. Later commentators have acclaimed him as a composer of brilliance and originality whose premature death was a significant loss to French musical theater.
In June 1872, Bizet informed Galabert: “I have just been ordered to compose three acts for the Opéra-Comique. [Henri] Meilhac and [Ludovic] Halévy are doing my piece”. The subject chosen for this project was Prosper Mérimée’s short novel, Carmen. Bizet began the music in the summer of 1873, but the Opéra-Comique’s management was concerned about the suitability of this risqué story for a theatre that generally provided wholesome entertainment, and work was suspended.
Adolphe de Leuven, the co-director of the Opéra-Comique most bitterly opposed to the Carmen project, resigned early in 1874, removing the main barrier to the work’s production. Bizet finished the score during the summer and was pleased with the outcome: “I have written a work that is all clarity and vivacity, full of color and melody.
When rehearsals began in October 1874, the orchestra had difficulties with the score, finding some parts unplayable. The chorus likewise declared some of their music impossible to sing and were dismayed that they had to act as individuals, smoking and fighting onstage rather than merely standing in line. Bizet also had to counter further attempts at the Opéra-Comique to modify parts of the action which they deemed improper. Only when the leading singers threatened to withdraw from the production did the management give way. Resolving these issues delayed the first night until 3 March 1875.
Much of the press comment was negative, expressing consternation that the heroine was an amoral seductress rather than a woman of virtue. Others complained of a lack of melody and made unfavourable comparisons with the traditional Opéra-Comique fare. The public’s reaction was lukewarm, and Bizet soon became convinced of its failure: “I foresee a definite and hopeless flop”.
Tragically, believing his work was a failure, Bizet died three months later. After a special performance of Carmen at the Opéra-Comique that night, the press, which had almost universally condemned the piece three months earlier, now declared Bizet a master.
Carmen has since become one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the classical canon; the “Habanera” and “Seguidilla” from act 1 and the “Toreador Song” from act 2 are among the best known of all operatic arias.
The opera is written in the genre of opéra comique with musical numbers separated by dialogue. It is set in southern Spain and tells the story of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the wiles of the fiery gypsy Carmen. José abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts from his military duties, yet loses Carmen’s love to the glamorous torero Escamillo, after which José kills her in a jealous rage. The depictions of proletarian life, immorality, and lawlessness, and the tragic death of the main character on stage, broke new ground in French opera and were highly controversial.
Here is the “Habanera” being performed by the amazing Latvian Mezzo-Soprano Elina Garanca in a Metropolitan Opera performance. This is where Carmen makes her initial entrance.
and here is the Toreador Song from the same production.
But, of course, Carmen is killed in the end.
There’s plenty more of Carmen and Elina Garanca on YouTube – enjoy it all!
Today is Kazakhstan Republic Day. The Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Kazakh SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic) was adopted on October 25th 1990, representing the country’s first step on the way to its independence.
For the first time, the document enshrined statehood principles such as integrity, indivisibility, territorial inviolability, the development of the Kazakh people’s culture and language, and the strengthening of national identity. The document also proclaimed the principle of independent regulation of political, economic, and social problems.
Since the legal beginning of Kazakhstan’s movement towards true independence, the country has been a champion of non-proliferation, disarmament, and global dialogue and has advanced efforts in international peace and security.
Today, Kazakhstan is home to more than 19 million people, uniting different ethnicities, including ethnic Kazakhs, which make up 70% of the population. Russians, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Tatars, Germans, Koreans, and Azerbaijanis are all present in the country, along with other minorities.
OOPS!!!!
Today is the birthday, in 1944, of Taffy Danoff, from American pop group Starland Vocal Band, who had the 1976 US No.1 & UK No.18 single ‘Afternoon Delight’ one of the biggest-selling singles of 1976. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu1UXCdyNo0
Today is Independence Day in Zambia. This holiday marks independence from the United Kingdom on this day in 1964 and is the National Holiday of Zambia.
Due to its land-locked location, Zambia was not visited by European settlers until the end of the nineteenth century.
Previous contact with outsiders had been limited to a few Arab and Portuguese visits in the eighteenth century that had not ended in any lasting relationship.
In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, the leader of the British South Africa Company (BSA Company), obtained mineral rights in the region. Suppression of tribal rebellions and the discovery of copper deposits led to control of other areas in the region. These regions were administered as separate units until 1911 when they were merged to form Northern Rhodesia (Rhodesia named after Cecil Rhodes).
Northern Rhodesia was a British protectorate; governed by an administration appointed from London with the advice of the BSA Company, until their company charter was not renewed in 1923 and the British Government took control.
In 1953, several countries under British control in the region were put into the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The creation of the federation was especially resented in Northern Rhodesia leading to the rise of two nationalist parties. Following elections in 1962, the two parties joined forces to pass resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia’s secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government.
The federation was dissolved on December 31st 1963, and in January 1964, Kaunda won the only election for Prime Minister of Northern Rhodesia. On October 24th 1964, the British colony of Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zambia and prime minister Kenneth Kaunda became the inaugural president serving until 1991.
Bound to happen…
Waiting for the lineup…
Today is the birthday, in 1936, of Bill Wyman, bass, The Rolling Stones (1969 UK & US No.1 single ‘Honky Tonk Women’, and over 30 Top 40 UK & US singles and albums. Quit The Stones in 1993, 1981 UK solo No.14 ‘Je Suis Un Rock Star’). Now tours with his backing band, The Rhythm Kings, which has featured Albert Lee and Georgie Fame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqqkGxZ1_8I
Today is Chulalongkorn Day, a public holiday in Thailand. The day commemorates King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who passed away on October 23rd 1910. He was the fifth monarch of Siam from the House of Chakri and is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam (now Thailand).
He is remembered as the king who introduced many social and political reforms that helped to modernize Siam including the abolishment of slavery. He succeeded to the throne in 1868 when he was 15 years old and was crowned king in 1873. He ruled until his death in 1910. He was known to the Siamese people as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang.
In his youth, Rama V was taught English and western customs by Anna Leonowens. The memoirs of her time in the Siam royal court was retold in the book, ‘Anna and the King of Siam’ by Margaret Landon. The book was the basis for the popular Broadway musical and film, The King and I. The King in the title was Chulalongkorn’s father, King MongKut.
Dracula’s busy these days trying to update his image in order to lure a younger generation of victims . . .
SIGNZZZZZZZZ
Today is the birthday, in 1940, of English musician Freddie Marsden who with Gerry And The Pacemakers had the 1963 UK No.1 single ‘How Do You Do It’ and the 1965 US No.6 single, ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’. In common with The Beatles they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein, and were recorded by George Martin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08083BNaYcA
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