Middle-earth Journeys

Mallorn I'm glad you tried again. We were having a computer glitch when you joined and all of us were not please.

Visit when you can.

Since we don't have a "Member News" thread, I thought I'd post the following here.

Some exciting family news to report! Mr. L has been selected to compete in the semi-final round of the Chester Ludgin International Verdi Baritone Competition on Nov. 6 in New York. The jury panel for the competition will be chaired by internationally renowned operatic tenor/conductor Placido Domingo, acclaimed mezzo soprano Mignon Dunn, VP of Columbia Artists Management International Ken Bensen, and pianist/conductor Eugene Kohn.

The finals for the competition on Nov. 8 will be open to the public as a black-tie concert gala. If Mr. L is selected for the finals, the girls and I will be going to New York to cheer Daddy on . . . I mean, applaud vigorously but politely.

Please keep your fingers crossed for Mr. L. This could be his big break!

This is great news, Lindariel!! Best of luck to Mr L in what sounds like a really prestigious competition - it must already be a great achievement to have got to the semis . Here's hoping you and the girls get that trip to NY!

Kudos to Mr. L! Fingers are crossed!!

Wonderful!

I have everything crossed too! How fantastic to sing for Mr Domingo - and how terrifying .

I'm not a new member, but a returning one after far too long an absence. So I'll introduce myself again.

I'm Aflon from Scotland. I've been an unashamed Aragorn adorer since I first encountered him over 35 years ago.

My favourite Tolkien books are The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

In real life I'm a medical secretary and in my online life, I'm a moderator over on VFB.

I'm looking forward to enjoying some interesting discussions here

Welcome Aflon! Looking forward to some good conversations with another long-time Tolkien fan!

Welcome back, aflon! You will likely find some competition for Aragorn here. In fact, in the LOTR thread, there is an Aragorn discussion happening now. Join us!

Hello Aflon . Wonderful to see you here again .

My goodness what a delightful surprise. Although I've only read the Unfinished Tales once, I feel in love with them. I hope we can start a discussion and have some good chat.

Good to hear from you Aflon! Please join the conversations...they are a ton of fun.

I share your love of Unfinished Tales...but The Lord of the Rings is in my soul.

At any rate...gotta LOVE that Tolkien.

Just checking in with an update on Mr. L's Verdi Baritone Competition. He stayed in good health and sang very well -- always a good thing! It's such a drag to prepare and prepare for a big competition or a performance and then wind up sick and not doing your best. The semi-final jury panel really liked him and had many lovely things to say about his voice.

The competition proved to be quite fierce. During the hour he spent at the semi-finals, Mr. L heard easily 8-10 impressive voices either in the warm-up rooms or singing for the jury. Only 8-10 singers would be selected to go on to the finals, so he knew it would be a close call.

The judges were supposed to deliberate Tuesday afternoon/evening and then notify all the singers about the results that night. However, they wound up deliberating until nearly midnight (THAT'S how close the competition was) and did not call the singers until the next morning.

Again, they had lovely things to say about Mr. L and his performance, but unfortunately he was not selected for the finals. He is disappointed (as we are), but not discouraged. He was thrilled to hear the caliber of voices that were considered his peers and feels that his inclusion in the semi-final round of this competition is a good indication that his voice has at last fully matured and that he can be taken seriously as a Verdi baritone by major opera companies. He already has several leads that he will be pursuing with the Sarasota Opera and with an artists management firm.

Thank you for your good wishes. I'll keep you all posted about further developments in Mr. L's singing career.

Thanks for the update, Lindariel - I'm sorry Mr L didn't make it to the finals but it sounds like a valuable experience all round and I'm sure it will stand him in good stead! I will be interested to hear further developments when you have some.

It's interesting to learn how these things work, Lindariel. Best to you and Mr. L.