LUIS ROYO - GREAT ILUSTRATIONS

VANITY, DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE SIN....

"Vanity, definitely my favorite sin"

- John Milton (Al pacino) in Devil's Advocate

REMEMBERING SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET

LATEST INFORMATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIBET

Over hundred of monks arrested after a raid in Ngaba Kirti Monastery – 28 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
After days of unrest and protests in Ngaba County since 15 March, which saw the death of at least 23 Tibetans, arrest and injury of over hundreds, the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) forces arrested over a hundred monks from Ngaba Kirti Monastery during a raid of the monastery this afternoon, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)...
Elderly woman brutally beaten during Township meeting – 27 March 2008 [Press Release]
Following the protests by monks in Drango (Ch: Luhuo) County on 24 March, leading to the death of an 18-year-old monk and the subsequent solidarity protest on 25 March 2008, the local authority has expelled a large number of monks from Chogri Monastery and arrested some nuns of Nanggong (Tib translit: nganga sgong) Nunnery, according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). Sources also reported disappearances of many lay people from the area...
Protest erupts after prayer for deceased in Drango County – 26 March 2008 [Press Release]
Following a peaceful protest in Drango County (Ch: Luhuo xian), Kardze "TAP", Sichuan Province, on 24 March 2008 which resulted in the death of one Tibetan and another left in critical condition after People's Armed Police (PAP) fired indiscriminately into the protesting crowd, the monks of Drango Gaden Rabten Nampargyalpeling Monastery organized a special prayer session for the deceased in the morning of 25 March...
Death toll rise to 79, over 1200 arrests and more than 100 disappear in Tibet – 25 March 2008 [Press Release]
The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) has been closely monitoring the situation inside Tibet particularly since 10 March 2008 when the first peaceful protest led by Tibetan Buddhist monks broke up in Lhasa on the 49th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day...
One shot dead and another in critical condition in Drango protest – 24 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), at least one Tibetan protester was shot dead and another left in critical condition following indiscriminate firing by the People's Armed Police on the protesting Tibetans in Drango County, Kardze "Tibet Autonomous Prefecture" today afternoon...
Pictures of Tibetans protesting in Chigdril County, Golog "TAP", Qinghai Province, on 17 March 2008 – 24 March 2008 [Photo Release]
TCHRD obtained fresh pictures of Tibetans protesting against Chinese government on 17 March 2008, in Chigdril County, (Ch: Juizhi Xian), Golog "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" ("TAP"), Qinghai Province...
Hundreds of Tibetans protested in Chentsa, Malho "TAP", Qinghai Province – 23 March 2008 [Press Release]
Tibetan MPs and many others join TCHRD’s Solidarity Movement! – 23 March 2008 [Press Statement]
Fresh ultimatum issued in Gansu for Tibetans to surrender – 21 March 2008 [Press Release]
Tibetans facing massive arrest drive in Tibet – 20 March 2008 [Press Release]
Middle school student shot dead in Ngaba County – 20 March 2008 [Press Release]
Join TCHRD movement to end killings, arbitrary arrests, inhumane torture and enforced disappearances in Tibet – 20 March 2008 [Press Statement]
More protests reported from Achok Tsenyi and Dzoge Monastery in Tibet – 19 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Hundreds of Tibetans protested in Kanlho, Gansu – 19 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Atleast three Tibetans shot dead in Kardze Protest – 18 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Hundreds protest in Amdo Bora – 18 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Thousands of Tibetans Protested in Sertha County, Kardze – 18 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Photographic evidence of the bloody crackdown on peaceful protesting Tibetan at Ngaba County, Sichuan Province, on 16 March 2008 – 18 March 2008 [Photo Release]
New cases of arrests and detentions reported from Lithang – 18 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
500 Hundred monks protest in Kanlho, Gansu Province – 18 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Thirty Tibetan protestors arrested in Toelung Dechen County – 18 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Hundreds of Tibetan devotees protest in Amdo Golog – 17 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Fresh Pictures of Tibetan protesters' dead bodies and crackdown by the Chinese security forces. – 17 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Tibetan students demonstrate in Tsoe City – 17 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Fresh Pictures: University students join the protest demonstration in Lanzhuo, Gansu Province, eastern Tibet – 17 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Fresh demonstration broke out in Amdo Mangra – 17 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Sporadic protests reported from Meldrogungkar and Phenpo Lhundup – 17 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Around 40 middle school students arrested in Marthang – 17 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Mass abductions in midnight raids by Chinese security forces in Lhasa – 16 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Students staged a protest in eastern Tibet – 16 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery – 16 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
Fresh Protest broke out in Rebkong – 16 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
At least seven shot dead in demonstration in Ngaba County – 16 March 2008 [Press Release]
News Just in: Fresh protest by Amdo Ngaba Kirti monks – 16 March 2008 [Press Release]
Fresh protests in Amdo Labrang – 15 March 2008
Death toll mounts as Tibet Uprising Continues: TCHRD calls upon UN to send a Fact Finding Mission – 15 March 2008
Fresh Pictures: thousands of Tibetans demonstrated in Amdo Tashi Kyi Labrang, Sangchu County, Gansu Province in North Eastern Tibet on 15 March 2008 – 15 March 2008
Mobile phone pictures depict intensity of demonstration in Amdo Labrang – 14 March 2008
Tension intensifies in Lhasa – 14 March 2008
Tibet reeling under tense situation- Nuns of Chutsang Nunnery join the protest – 14 March 2008
Picture identities of visiting monk students of Sera Monastery arrested on 10 March 2008 from Barkhor Street, Lhasa, for their pro-Tibet protest. – 12 March 2008
TCHRD fears torture and inhumane treatment on the arrestees from Barkhor protest on Tibetan Uprising Day – 12 March 2008
Scores of Tibetans arrested for peaceful protest in Lhasa – 11 March 2008

MORGAN AEROMAX - DREAMCAR

Morgan AeroMax enters limited production

Considering how often Morgan radically changes the design of their vehicles, the company has shown up rather often on our pages as of late. Last week, the Morgan LifeCar was shown in Geneva, and while we are impressed by the concept that the enigmatic British company was able to crank out, the AeroMax isn't a concept, but a real vehicle that is now officially in production. Originally announced in 2006, the AeroMax successfully blends modern and retro in both design and engineering. Featuring a frame made from ash wood, a body pounded into shape from aluminum and a 4.8-liter, 367 horsepower V8 engine from BMW, the lightweight sporting coupe can accelerate from 0-60 in just about 4 seconds and keep going to a top speed of around 170 mph.

Despite the seemingly low-tech construction methods, this is the first Morgan to feature an automatic transmission and a Canbus wiring setup. Other standard features include Electronic Brake Distribution with ABS, tire pressure monitoring and dual power rear windows which open like wings allowing access to the available leather luggage. According to Morgan's website, all 100 are already spoken for, but they've started a reserve list in case any orders get canceled. If you want one, better get on that list soon.

BRUCE WILLIS OPENS WINE BAR

March 24, 2008 -- BRUCE Willis could be distancing himself from his reputation as a shot-and-a-beer guy. The Post's Braden Keil reports the action star is a partner in the Bowery Wine Co., which opens to the public this weekend at 13 E. First St. "It's upscale and loungy," says owner Chris Sileo, formerly beverage director at The Plaza. "We'll have high-end, light fare that will include paninis, salads and desserts." Willis and his pals, "Sopranos" regulars Vincent Curatola and John Ventimiglia, already christened the place at a private party last week, where the "Die Hard" star took his place behind the bar.

If you're interested here's the adress:

Bowery Wine Company

13 E. 1st St.(Bowery & First Ave.)
East Village

212.614.0800

EVOCACION - ALEIDA MARCH (CHE'S WIDOW)

An intimate memoir of Che Guevara by his widow is making the rounds of New York publishers this week as the 40th anniversary of his death approaches.

Aleida March tenderly describes the man behind the revolutionary icon in her manuscript, "Evocation." Her book details her experiences falling in love, marrying and raising four children with Guevara, who was killed in Bolivia at age 39.

March, the second wife of the Argentine-born rebel, was convinced to finally tell her story by respected Italian filmmaker Alessandro Cecconi.

She reveals that after a romance that began when they were guerrilla comrades in the Cuban revolution, Che wanted their 1959 wedding to be small and private. But Raul Castro found out and threw a big party. Unfortunately, he neglected to invite his own brother, Fidel, who was miffed.

"Nobody told Fidel, because of the clandestine way in which the party was planned, and he arrived complaining that nobody had invited him," March writes. "He left soon afterward."

Che gave his bride a bottle of Flor de Roca perfume by Caron, "which, of course, I never forgot," she reminisces. But Che wouldn't let her keep the many gifts sent to them, giving them away to the poor.

"On his trips, he would receive gifts from his hosts, some of them very expensive," March writes. "He would get presents for me as well, and he would give them away if he considered them too ostentatious."

She was given a color TV only to see Che pass it on to a factory worker. "And back then, it was sort of an unimaginable item," March says, adding: "Once, after a trip to Algeria, he received a barrel of an excellent wine. When he arrived home, he told me to give it to the army barracks near our home. I would not always unconditionally obey his mandates. Knowing that wine was one of the few treats he allowed himself, I kept five liters."

Che had a dry sense of humor, she writes, adding that he once teased her in a postcard from Morocco, "I was planning to stay faithful to you, but you should see these Moorish girls!"

One of the most heart-rending stories March tells is how Che dressed in disguise to visit his own children before a secret trip to Bolivia to foment revolution there. "When the kids arrived, I introduced them to an Uruguayan old man, 'Ramon' [Che], a 'friend' of dad's. They never imagined this 60-year-old man could be their daddy," March writes. "For both Che and me,it was an extremely painful moment.

"The kids played with 'Ramón' all day. Then, Aleidita [then 7] hit her head after running wild, and Che [a physician] took care of her. Soon afterwards, she came to me to tell me a secret he could overhear: 'Mommy, this man is in love with me!'

Che was captured by CIA-led Bolivian soldiers on Oct. 9, 1967, and killed the next day after telling his executioner, "Shoot, coward. You are only going to kill a man."

THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING...OR SHOULD I SAY... QUEEN ?

«THE COSMOS ROCKS» is Queen's newest record, coming out next September, followed by a world "tour" after it's release.

The band new line up: Paul Rodgers (voice), Brian May (guitar), Roger Taylor (drums).

Fifteen years after Freddy Mercury's death is it time to say:

"The King is Dead, Long Live The King...or should we say...Queen ?

YOU'RE GREAT JAMIE !

Curtis poses topless for AARP magazine

WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- Hollywood actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who turns 50 this year, has posed topless for the latest edition of AARP magazine.

The daughter of screen icons Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis is best known for her roles in "Halloween," "Trading Places," "A Fish Called Wanda," "True Lies" and "Freaky Friday.

"She will be seen topless on the cover of the May/June issue of the magazine, which is geared to Americans ages 50 and over."

I want to be older," Curtis told the magazine. "I actually think there's an incredible amount of self-knowledge that comes with getting older. I feel way better now than I did when I was 20. I'm stronger, I'm smarter in every way, I'm so much less crazy than I was then. ...Getting older means paring yourself down to an essential version of yourself.

"Curtis said that philosophy extends to her sense of personal style, too.

"I've let my hair go gray. I wear only black and white. Every year I buy three or four black dresses that I just keep in rotation. I own one pair of blue jeans. I've given away all my jewelry, because I don't wear it," she said.

FLORA PURIM - A BIOGRAPHY

For those who know Flora, an introduction is unnecessary. Her music has interwoven the life fabric of anyone with a passing interest in Latin and American jazz music for over 25 years.

Her once-in-a-generation six-octave voice has earned her two Grammy nominations for Best Female Jazz Performance and Downbeat magazines Best Female Singer accolade on four occasions. Her musical partners have included Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie and Airto Moreira, with whom she has collaborated on over 30 albums since moving with him from her native Rio to New York in 1967.

Her musical genius was inbred thanks to a Russian émigré father who played violin and a mother who was a talented pianist in her own right. Before leaving Brazil to escape the repressive military regime of the time, she had mastered piano and guitar and liberated an exhilarating vocal talent.

In New York, she and Airto became central to the period of musical expression and creativity, which produced the first commercially successful Electric Jazz groups of the 70s.

Blue Note artist Duke Pearson was the first American musician to invite Flora to sing alongside him on stage and on record. She then toured with Gil Evans about whom she says, this guy has changed my life. He gave us a lot of support to do the craziest stuff. This was the beginning for me. Her reputation as an outstanding performer gained her work with Chick Corea and Stan Getz as part of the New Jazz movement that also contained the nurturing influence of sax man Cannonball Adderley.

Shortly after, Flora started in earnest to re-educate discriminating musical minds, after linking up with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Joe Farrell to form "Return To Forever" in late 1971.

Two classic albums resulted - "Return to Forever" and "Light as a Feather" - nodal points in the development of fusion jazz. When Chick decided to drive further still down the electric road, Flora and Airto chose their own path. Airto by this time had already begun to create his own legend by playing with Miles Davis in 1970, before helping to found the jazz wellspring that was "Weather Report".

Her first solo album in the US, Butterfly Dreams was released in 1973, which put her right away to the Top Five Jazz Singers on the Downbeat Magazine Fame Jazz Poll.

Flora went on to contribute to some of the greatest recording of the seventies - Carlos Santana, Hermeto Pascoal, Gil Evans, Chick Corea and Mickey Hart all benefiting from her vocal and arranging skills. In the mid-Eighties, Flora and Airto resumed their musical partnership to record two albums for Concord - "Humble People" and "The Magicians" for which she received Grammy nominations. In 1992 she went one better by singing on two Grammy winning albums - "Planet Drum" with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart (Best World Music Album) and the Dizzy Gillespie "United Nations Orchestra" (Best Jazz Album).

The launch of the highly combustive Latin jazz band Fourth World in 1991 with Airto, new guitar hero Jose Neto and keyboards and reeds supreme Gary Meek, marked a new era in Flora's career. The band signed to new UK-based jazz label B&W Music - and Flora consciously set out to win over the next wave of listeners.

Gigs at the Forum and collaborations with leading UK DJ/producers Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge led to Flora and Airto as guests on several influential contemporary recordings, including the James Taylor Quartets "Supernatural Feeling" and Urban Species "Listen". Gilles subsequently spent time in the studio remixing "Now Go Ahead and Open Your Eyes" with help of hot new producer Tyrrell and London session drummer and producer Andrew Missingham.Flora's 1995 world tour started in traditional style with a month a Soho's Ronnie Scott's Club with a new band that includes Gary Brown on bass, Helio Alves on keyboards and regular Fourth World rhythm and psychedelic guitar player Jose Neto, along with Puerto Rico master of congas Giovanni Hidalgo and, of course, Airto, joined Flora to take her new album "Speed of Light" on the road.

Recorded across two continents and featuring some of the top names in contemporary jazz such as Billy Cobham, Freddie Ravel, George Duke, David Zeiher, Walfredo Reyes, Alphonso Johnson, Changuito, Freddie Santiago and Giovanni Hidalgo, the album demonstrates emphatically that Flora is ready to shape the sound of the nineties. With important writing and performing contributions from Chill Factor and Flora's daughter Diana Booker. "Speed of Light" makes the connection between her experimental beginnings with Chick Corea and Gil Evans and the new "head" music being produced by jazz players out of the London and New York "Trip Hop" scenes.

Whilst this is certainly music for the head, it is the heart that responds to Flora's extraordinary voice. Open your ears and you will fly.

In 2002, with two new releases by Narada Records, the jazzy "Perpetual Emotion" and the world music "Flora Sings Milton Nascimento", once again Flora takes the listeners to the edge of their imagination.

In September of 2002, Brazil's President Fernando Henrique Cardoso named Flora Purim and Airto Moreira to the "Order of Rio Branco", one of Brazil's highest honors. The Order of Rio Branco was created in 1963 to formally recognize Brazilian and foreign individuals who have significantly contributed to the promotion of Brazil's international relations. The order is named after Barão do Rio Branco, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1902 to 1912, famous for his role in negotiating the national borders of Brazil and referred as the "Father of Brazil's Diplomacy".

The album "Speak No Evil" was released in January of 2003. This is Flora's third album with Narada Records. After listening to the album, George Duke had this to say: "Flora is one of those rare talents that truly understand how to phrase lyrics and melody". Then he said, "she can swing - and she can sing!"

Flora's new album entitled "Flora's Song" was released by Narada Record on June 28th, 2005. "Brazilian Jazz at it's best with colors and rhythms of world music. Rhythms of my soul mixed with the sounds of my heart communicating with words that express the times, trials and tribulations of the world right now as I perceive it."

WESTERN MOVIES - POSTERS (01)

ERROL FLYNN

LISBON: CARRIS TRAMWAY MUSEUM

A tramway museum is operated by the transit company, Carris, in the shadow of the Ponte de 25 Abril bridge (a suspension bridge modeled after the Golden Gate Bridge, with the addition of a lower deck for a rail line). The collection includes many preserved Lisbon trams-- however, the ones operating are just as old as those in the museum collection! The museum is located at the same site as one of the major tram/light rail yards so the photos below depict the entire site, active yard and museum equipment.

Bye Bye Life -

Fiddler on the roof - If I were a rich man (with subtitles)

IF (RUDYARD KIPLING)

[IF]

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,I
f you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:


If you can dream--and not make dreams your
master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:


If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"


If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!



--Rudyard Kipling

WHEN A KISS IS (NOT) JUST A KISS

India Drops Arrest Warrant for Richard Gere Over 'Indecent' Kiss

Friday, March 14, 2008

Hollywood actor Richard Gere, left, hugs and kisses Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty during and event for HIV-AIDS awareness in New Delhi, India

NEW DELHI — India's top court suspended an arrest warrant Friday against Richard Gere, wanted for allegedly breaking public obscenity laws by kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at a public AIDS awareness event last year.

"Gere is allowed to come and leave. He can't be arrested," said Anil Grover, an attorney for Shetty, after attending the Supreme Court proceedings.

Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan and Justice R. V. Raveendran indefinitely stayed the arrest warrant issued against the actor last year by a court in the northwestern Indian city of Jaipur, Grover told The Associated Press.

Gere embraced and kissed Shetty on her cheek at the public AIDS awareness event in New Delhi on April 15 last year, prompting Hindu hard-liners to allege the pair had offended the sensibilities of India's traditionally conservative culture.

His publicist, Alan Nierob, said in an e-mail Friday to The Associated Press that Gere would have no comment on the matter.

Hindu activists filed three cases against Gere and Shetty last year, including one in Jaipur.
The allegations of obscenity against the pair have failed to stir wider outrage among Indians, most of whom have responded with utter indifference.

Grover called the cases "frivolous" and "a total misuse of the legal process."

Shortly after the cases were filed by Hindu activists, Gere apologized for any offense he may have caused. But he also said the whole controversy was manufactured by a small hard-line political party.

Gere, 58, is a frequent visitor to India, promoting health issues and the cause of Tibetan exiles, tens of thousands of whom live in India. His screen credits include "Chicago," "Pretty Woman" and "An Officer and a Gentleman."

Shetty, a well-known actress in India, became an international star after her appearance on the British reality show "Celebrity Big Brother."

THE DEATH OF DIRECTOR ANTHONY MINGHELLA

Director Anthony Minghella dies

Anthony Minghella won an Oscar for directing The English Patient

British film director and writer Anthony Minghella has died aged 54.

Minghella's films included The English Patient - which earned him an Oscar for best director in 1997 - as well as Truly, Madly, Deeply and Cold Mountain.

He suffered a haemorrhage in London days after having surgery for cancer of the tonsils and neck, his US agent Leslee Dart said.

Jude Law, who worked with Minghella on three films, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the news.

The actor described him as "a brilliantly talented writer and director" and "a sweet, warm, bright and funny man".

He was one of Britain's greatest creative talents, one of our finest screen writers and directors

Gordon Brown

Law's co-star in The Talented Mr Ripley, Gwyneth Paltrow, said Minghella was "a wonderful man" who was "so interested in art and making the world better for art".

Actor Kevin Spacey praised the director as "one of the greats".

Film producer and friend Lord Puttnam said the industry would be "very shocked" to lose their "very well-loved" colleague.

"He started as a writer, he was not a stylist as a director," he said. "He saw himself as a storyteller and his films were very well told, beautifully made and beautifully acted."

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was directed by Minghella in a Labour Party broadcast before the 2005 General Election, also paid tribute.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Cold Mountain (2003 - pictured)
The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)
The English Patient (1996)
Truly, Madly, Deeply (1991)

He said: "He was one of Britain's greatest creative talents, one of our finest screen writers and directors, a great champion of the British film industry and expert on literature and opera."

Minghella had an operation for cancer last week, his representatives said.

Leslee Dart said: "The surgery had gone well and they were very optimistic. But he developed a haemorrhage last night and they were not able to stop it."

He died at about 0500 GMT on Tuesday at the Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith, west London.

Minghella's other roles included being chairman of the British Film Institute.

He had also directed a TV episode of book The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

A 90-minute pilot, directed by Minghella and co-written with Richard Curtis, is due to be broadcast on BBC One on Easter Sunday.

BBC film correspondent Tom Brook, speaking in New York, said Minghella was held in "very high regard by the artistic community".

"He's certainly one of the top directors of his generation in Britain and, in Hollywood he was definitely held in high esteem," he said.

Minghella began his career as a writer with his early radio plays winning several awards.

He made his directorial debut in Truly, Madly, Deeply, in 1991.

He went on to write and direct film adaptations of Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient and Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley.

In 1999, he was nominated for an Oscar for writing The Talented Mr Ripley screenplay.

He also directed 2003's Cold Mountain, starring Law, Kidman and Renee Zellweger, who won the best supporting actress Oscar for the film.

In 2005, Minghella directed his first opera, an English National Opera (ENO) production of Madama Butterfly.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/7302841.stm

Published: 2008/03/18 17:57:53 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

SHE (C. AZNAVOUR / H. KRETZMER)

She may be the face I can't forget
The trace of pleasure or regret
May be my treasure or the price I have to pay
She may be the song the summer sings
May be the chill the autumn brings
May be a hundred different things
Within the measure of a day


She may be the beauty or the beast
May be the famine or the feast
May turn each day into a heaven or a hell
She may be the mirror of my dreams
The smile reflected in a stream
She may not be what she may seem inside her shell


She who always seems so happy in a crowd
Whose eyes can be so crowded and so proud
No one's allowed to see them when they cry
She may be the love that cannot hope to last
May come to me from shadows of the past
But I'll remember till the day I die


She may be the reason I survive
The why and wherefore I'm alive
The one I'll care for through the rough in many years
Me, I'll take her laughter and her tears
And make them all my souvenirs
For where she goes I've got to be
The meaning of my life is she
She
She

WIZARD OF OZ - COLLECTIBLE ITEMS (01)

PORTUGUESE SEA (FROM MESSAGE-FERNANDO PESSOA)

Oh salt-laden sea,
how much of your salt
Is tears of Portugal!
To cross you, how many mothers wept,
how many sons in vain prayed!
How many brides-to-be brides remained,
So you were ours, oh Sea!

Was it worth? Everything is worth,
If the soul is not small.
Whoever wants to go beyond (cape) Bojador,
Has to go beyond pain.
To the sea gave God peryl and the abyss,
But in it He also mirrored heaven.