It is late and I have another long and busy day tomorrow, but before I go to bed I wanted to give you a report of the wonderful performance of Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas from which I have just returned. Opera Underground's ambitious and passionate interpretation is well worth seeing and hearing. Patrick Eakin Young's direction is simple, but effective, and Ashiq Aziz draws stylish playing from the small baroque orchestra. Susanna Hawkins' deeply felt and well sung Dido and Charlotte Corwin's sparkling Belinda lead a very fine all-Canadian cast. There are more performances at the Winchester Street Theatre until 29th August. Don't miss it if you want to discover or re-discover Purcell's masterpiece. If you want to prepare for your visit I recommend a new recording from Novosibirsk - of all places! - conducted by the extremely gifted Teodor Currentzis with Simone Kermes and Dimitris Tiliakos in the title roles.

On a more private matter I have finally had the courage to approach the Mount Everest of French litterature. Marcel Proust's À la recherche du temps perdu arrived in the mail today and although I have no idea yet how and when I will ever get through its 2400 pages I am glad it is here now to be read.