You say Carmina, I say Carmana...

Let's Carl the whole thing Orff. Last night edge_of_ruin and I were part of a vast and sprightly alto contingent in a performance of Carmina Burana, admirably cheered on by merrymaia. We made a big noise. Reading the programme and poking around the internet (that's called research in the profession), it turns out that Carmina Burana (which was first performed in Germany in 1937) was simultaneously praised by the Nazis and also denounced as decadent and too much like jazz. Who knows? Anyway, I joined in the singing like it was an anti-fascist piece.

Meanwhile, at home, Mr A. was striking a less ambivalent blow against the forces of evil - the BNP stuck a leaflet through the door, so he ran out to return the leaflet. The young man refused to take it back, so Mr A. rolled it up and threw it at him, hitting him bang in the middle of the forehead. I predict a riot.

We were in Rome until Monday, and since then I have been teaching (five hours on Wednesday, urgh), but here is a photo until I have time to write up something longer.

( The hotel was past its best (big image) )

Happy St Patrick's Day to you all!