Memorial Day

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- John McCrae, May 1915

Opera Wednesday Special - In Memoriam 4U9525

The tragic news of the crash of Germianwings flight 4U9525 has affected the opera world.

Deutsche Oper am Rhein bass-baritone Oleg Bryjak and contralto Maria Radner (who had her husband and child on the flight), performed in the roles of Alberich and Erda, respectively, in a performance of Wagner's Siegfried at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona Monday night, perished Tuesday on the return flight home in 4U9525 when it crashed in the Alps.

Thoughts and prayers to the Bryjak and Radner families, along with the Rhein German Opera and the Liceu Grand Theatre staff following this tragic news.  Flags were lowered at Liceu.