Another birthday yesterday, a quite daft number, but much better than the alternative. A few treats, and two of them anyone else can enjoy too for a relatively modest outlay.
One was the book accompanying the new Raphael exhibition at the National Gallery. Will we brave the covid-ridden crowds to go up to the exhibition ourselves? As asking the question that way suggests, I rather doubt it. But the catalogue book, as nearly always for the National Gallery’s major events, is pretty terrific, and will be a lasting pleasure in itself. And the DVD of the 2020 Salzburg Festival Così fan Tutte which we watched last night is just a delight. Hugely enjoyable, very engagingly acted, with some wonderful singing, in particular from Elsa Dreisig. So both the book and the DVD are very warmly recommended; we all need cheering.