I recently had the great fortune to attend Richard Strauss's masterpiece, Capriccio, at The Metropolitan Opera, starring world renowned soprano Renee Fleming.
Brilliant.
Perhaps because it is a consummation of all the fine arts,(literary, orchestral, vocal, visual & frequently ballet as in Capriccio),opera hits me on myriad levels. Breathtaking music from a phenomenal world-class orchestra accompanying the premier soprano of our time – in the setting of an 18th century chateau near Paris… all within the complexity of a great literary work.
A feast for the senses!
Take a peek at the final scene of Capriccio being performed at the Paris Opera House by none other than the magnificent Ms. Flemming herself. Don't do anything else. Just close your eyes and let the music sweep you away.
Capriccio, Strauss's final opera, is a dramatized aesthetic debate over which is more valuable, music or words? Swathed in achingly beautiful music one is likely to be persuaded by the former, though the opera itself ends without a decision cast one way or the other.
As I toyed with the question, I flipped and I flopped.
Words?
I find generally, the fewer the better… as they're usually ego's favorite vehicle on a direct path away from authenticity. Yet I couldn't do without Tolstoy, Bronte, Wilde…
Music?
It has an emotionality that breaks open the heart.
Ah - Why choose. Especially when one there is opera, the consummation of all the arts! Which happens to be the very resolution of Capriccio's story itself.
What would you choose if you could have only one? Music or Words?
Russell Braun, left, is the poet Olivier, Joseph Kaiser the composer Flamand and Peter Rose the theater director La Roche in Richard Strauss' "Capriccio" at the Metropolitan Opera. (Photo by Richard Drew, Associated Press)
I love simple, beautiful food that doesn't disappoint… or require a lengthy recovery period after putting it together. My take on the Italian Affogato is so easy I felt silly writing out the instructions!
Steaming espresso swirls around creamy vanilla ice-cream with a splash of Amaretto Liquor. Warning: It's likely you'll have the urge to head back to the kitchen to whip up another 🙂
Serve in a cozy mug to fit a casual occasion. In a beautiful dish they're elegant enough for a dinner party. Perfect any time of year, any time of day. Great with decaf or regular depending on your mood. If you don't have an espresso machine, simply use coffee.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Your Favorite Vanilla Ice-Cream or Gelato (coconut Ice-Cream if you're vegan)
Freshly Brewed Espresso or Coffee (Roastaroma if you're coffee-free)
Amaretto Liquor
Method
Place a ball of ice-cream in serving dish. Pour espresso around the ice-cream. Add 1 tablespoon of Amaretto. Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Note:Always use the freshest, best quality ingredients you can. It makes a huge impact on flavor! In the case of coffee & espresso, I highly recommend a Bialetti French Press or Espresso Maker. Because they're simply made and easy to rinse after each use, neither will acquire that bitter, old-coffee-machine-taste that ruins an otherwise great cup of coffee.
The Bialetti Mocha sound whistles a little tune when the espresso is ready!
"Summertime Shade." Oil on Canvas by Juliane Porter.
(please click image for better, larger view)
This gorgeous, old, climber in Chatham, MA begged to be painted.
I recall my father describing his great joy in climbing about the limbs of such trees as a young boy. I too have always loved and had tremendous respect for trees. They take me back to childhood… Their power, grace & often imposing wisdom of living hundreds of years- like the one pictured here in my painting.
This is a very expressive, childlike painting about innocence and the power of presence.
What do chandeliers, octopus and white stallions have in common?
Our final and perfectly lovely evening in New York City of course!
The evening began with dinner at Michael White's Marea, whose menu reads like a study of the sea. This high-end Italian restaurant features the regional food of Italy influenced heavily by ingredients drawn from the four bodies of water that surround the boot. The fish, sourced from both the Mediterranean and waters worldwide, stays true to this Mediterranean flavor profile contributing to the authenticity of the restaurant.
We were impressed on all levels: Superb cuisine, seamless service, and stylish ambiance. Every single bite of our four course experience was a special memory, but don't worry, I'll only share two: my pasta course and Jim's dessert - for the simple reason I found pictures of them both:-).
I savored every last morsel of the Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow. This dish is Chef White's homage to American surf and turf – though it requires purely Italian cooking techniques. The dish glistens with the velvety smooth sauce, and each bite is unexpectedly complex despite looking so simple. The sweetness of the octopus compliments the tart red wine and tomato sauce made rich and smooth by the emulsified marrow. The home-made fusilli are tender yet al dente and the whole thing is topped with a crunch of breadcrumbs. Wow!
Marea's (NYC) Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
Three courses later, Jim devoured the Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme. (He's becoming rather an expert on Panna Cotta as he orders it at every opportunity!) And, since we share everything, I can attest to it's fabulousness!
Marea's (NYC) Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
During dessert, we happened to get to know the two lovely ladies to our left when they inquired about my chandelier earrings. I promised Karen I'd post them here with a link to where I'd purchased them; Anthropologie. I apologize that it took me a couple weeks Karen!I'm behind posting this week because I've been immersed in the oil painting portrait of two beautiful children– their mama will be surprising her husband with it on his birthday so I can't fall behind:-) I've posted two pairs of my favorite chandelier earrings from Anthropologie below.(I wore the first that night)
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
And that brings us to white stallions…
We enjoyed the most serene and lovely horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park after dinner. It was a crisp, spring evening. Every now and then we'd pass someone jogging or walking their dog in the moonlight, a fellow carriage rider in the distance beyond the beautiful, old, gnarly trees. We had the park and the city all to ourselves, bundled up under our blanket, cherry blossoms perfuming the night… all under a backdrop of sparkling city lights.
The perfect finale.
Our carriage picked us up right outside Marea! The carriages happened to be lined up along the street just steps away:-)
Carriage Rides through NYC's Central Park after Dinner make a Romantic Evening
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2011-04-26 23:20:002025-12-06 15:04:47Octopus, Chandeliers & White Stallions
The Met’s Capriccio, Starring Renee Flemming
I recently had the great fortune to attend Richard Strauss's masterpiece, Capriccio, at The Metropolitan Opera, starring world renowned soprano Renee Fleming.
Brilliant.
Perhaps because it is a consummation of all the fine arts, (literary, orchestral, vocal, visual & frequently ballet as in Capriccio), opera hits me on myriad levels. Breathtaking music from a phenomenal world-class orchestra accompanying the premier soprano of our time – in the setting of an 18th century chateau near Paris… all within the complexity of a great literary work.
A feast for the senses!
Take a peek at the final scene of Capriccio being performed at the Paris Opera House by none other than the magnificent Ms. Flemming herself. Don't do anything else. Just close your eyes and let the music sweep you away.
Capriccio, Strauss's final opera, is a dramatized aesthetic debate over which is more valuable, music or words? Swathed in achingly beautiful music one is likely to be persuaded by the former, though the opera itself ends without a decision cast one way or the other.
As I toyed with the question, I flipped and I flopped.
Words?
I find generally, the fewer the better… as they're usually ego's favorite vehicle on a direct path away from authenticity. Yet I couldn't do without Tolstoy, Bronte, Wilde…
Music?
It has an emotionality that breaks open the heart.
Ah - Why choose. Especially when one there is opera, the consummation of all the arts! Which happens to be the very resolution of Capriccio's story itself.
What would you choose if you could have only one? Music or Words?
Russell Braun, left, is the poet Olivier, Joseph Kaiser the composer Flamand and Peter Rose the theater director La Roche in Richard Strauss' "Capriccio" at the Metropolitan Opera. (Photo by Richard Drew, Associated Press)
Richard Strauss, Composer
Italian Affogato
Italian Affogato
I love simple, beautiful food that doesn't disappoint… or require a lengthy recovery period after putting it together. My take on the Italian Affogato is so easy I felt silly writing out the instructions!
Steaming espresso swirls around creamy vanilla ice-cream with a splash of Amaretto Liquor. Warning: It's likely you'll have the urge to head back to the kitchen to whip up another 🙂
Serve in a cozy mug to fit a casual occasion. In a beautiful dish they're elegant enough for a dinner party. Perfect any time of year, any time of day. Great with decaf or regular depending on your mood. If you don't have an espresso machine, simply use coffee.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Your Favorite Vanilla Ice-Cream or Gelato (coconut Ice-Cream if you're vegan)
Freshly Brewed Espresso or Coffee (Roastaroma if you're coffee-free)
Amaretto Liquor
Method
Place a ball of ice-cream in serving dish. Pour espresso around the ice-cream. Add 1 tablespoon of Amaretto. Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Note: Always use the freshest, best quality ingredients you can. It makes a huge impact on flavor! In the case of coffee & espresso, I highly recommend a Bialetti French Press or Espresso Maker. Because they're simply made and easy to rinse after each use, neither will acquire that bitter, old-coffee-machine-taste that ruins an otherwise great cup of coffee.
The Bialetti Mocha sound whistles a little tune when the espresso is ready!
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
“Summertime Shade”
"Summertime Shade." Oil on Canvas by Juliane Porter.
(please click image for better, larger view)
This gorgeous, old, climber in Chatham, MA begged to be painted.
I recall my father describing his great joy in climbing about the limbs of such trees as a young boy. I too have always loved and had tremendous respect for trees. They take me back to childhood… Their power, grace & often imposing wisdom of living hundreds of years- like the one pictured here in my painting.
This is a very expressive, childlike painting about innocence and the power of presence.
sun dappled shade
easy breezes
forgiving grace
a
wisdom of hundreds years
presence
See more artwork by Juliane Porter at www.JulianePorter.com.
The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.
after hours
Soon they'll be asleep.
The house will be ours.
Nothing off limits.
No place we can't scour.
We'll stampede cross the wood floors as fast as we can.
And yowl like coyotes awake after ten.
From lands far and near we'll hunt down precious gifts.
Before morn' there'll be a mousie and twisty-tie blitz.
At first sign of light we'll take up our posts,
Performing purrs, trills and tricks to fill up our bowls.
We'll see you next time, maybe daytime you say?
Certainly!
Another fun time to play!
Octopus, Chandeliers & White Stallions
What do chandeliers, octopus and white stallions have in common?
Our final and perfectly lovely evening in New York City of course!
The evening began with dinner at Michael White's Marea, whose menu reads like a study of the sea. This high-end Italian restaurant features the regional food of Italy influenced heavily by ingredients drawn from the four bodies of water that surround the boot. The fish, sourced from both the Mediterranean and waters worldwide, stays true to this Mediterranean flavor profile contributing to the authenticity of the restaurant.
We were impressed on all levels: Superb cuisine, seamless service, and stylish ambiance. Every single bite of our four course experience was a special memory, but don't worry, I'll only share two: my pasta course and Jim's dessert - for the simple reason I found pictures of them both:-).
I savored every last morsel of the Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow. This dish is Chef White's homage to American surf and turf – though it requires purely Italian cooking techniques. The dish glistens with the velvety smooth sauce, and each bite is unexpectedly complex despite looking so simple. The sweetness of the octopus compliments the tart red wine and tomato sauce made rich and smooth by the emulsified marrow. The home-made fusilli are tender yet al dente and the whole thing is topped with a crunch of breadcrumbs. Wow!
Marea's (NYC) Fusilli with Red Wine Braised Octopus & Bone Marrow (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
Three courses later, Jim devoured the Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme. (He's becoming rather an expert on Panna Cotta as he orders it at every opportunity!) And, since we share everything, I can attest to it's fabulousness!
Marea's (NYC) Panna Cotta with Pink Peppercorn & Thyme (Photo by UrbanSpoon)
During dessert, we happened to get to know the two lovely ladies to our left when they inquired about my chandelier earrings. I promised Karen I'd post them here with a link to where I'd purchased them; Anthropologie. I apologize that it took me a couple weeks Karen! I'm behind posting this week because I've been immersed in the oil painting portrait of two beautiful children– their mama will be surprising her husband with it on his birthday so I can't fall behind:-) I've posted two pairs of my favorite chandelier earrings from Anthropologie below. (I wore the first that night)
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
Glass Beaded Chandelier Earrings by Anthropologie
And that brings us to white stallions…
We enjoyed the most serene and lovely horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park after dinner. It was a crisp, spring evening. Every now and then we'd pass someone jogging or walking their dog in the moonlight, a fellow carriage rider in the distance beyond the beautiful, old, gnarly trees. We had the park and the city all to ourselves, bundled up under our blanket, cherry blossoms perfuming the night… all under a backdrop of sparkling city lights.
The perfect finale.
Our carriage picked us up right outside Marea! The carriages happened to be lined up along the street just steps away:-)
Carriage Rides through NYC's Central Park after Dinner make a Romantic Evening