Halfway to Heaven

Fulham Palace appeared here in July 2015 in All About You and Heaven. It is just as heavenly in February 2017.

Let me set the scene; the Great Hall of Fulham Palace, a log fire blazing centre stage, a Steinway open stage right. A soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone and répétiteur enter stage left and burst into song: “Brindisi” from La traviata. I was more than halfway to heaven listening to these performers from National Opera Studio singing their hearts out for two hours on Friday evening.

They sang hit after hit by Mozart, Donizetti, Rossini, Puccini, Bizet, Verdi and towards the end of their programme moved into the 20th century; Korngold, Bernstein, Piaf and Rogers & Hammerstein. All the good bits, none of the boring bits and one tenth the price of a seat at Covent Garden. It was of course a sell-out. The audience was on the elderly side, that includes me, but not my guest, the ever-youthful Sandy. This is a pity as it would be a super introduction to opera and next year I will invite some godchildren if I can get tickets.

Now here’s the best thing to come out of Termonfeckin since Maddy. Isn’t Termonfeckin a grand name? It could be used as an oath. It’s red pin time again in case you don’t know where this village is.

Termonfeckin is where Lily Chen lives with her husband Dominick Mc Groddy and their two children. Originally from Fujian province in China she imports Chinese teas and they are excellent. I am too lazy to make a proper pot of tea and hitherto have found tea bags disappointing. Her’s are pyramid shaped and so full of flavour that they make two cups of early morning tea – a great stimulus for a bedroom blogger. They are not available yet (hint, hint) in the UK and I received mine as a present from a thoughtful Irish reader visiting London. Thank you Frank.

Now for something Strictly …