HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dear Readers,

Waking up to the first morning of 2023 I have reverted, as I always must, to my Straussian ritual of watching on DVD the Act 2 scene of 'The Presentation Of The Rose' from Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier from the 1979 Otto Schenk production with Carlos Kleiber conducting at the helm. To me, it represents the epitome of the excellence I aspire to, if not all the way through the year, at least in fleeting glimpses like the silver rose itself that young Octavian presents to Sophie on behalf of Baron Von Ochs.

As I can't share a glass of champagne in an opulent Viennese town house with each one of you, I will simply share this exquisite scene instead and wish you all a blessed and inspirational new year full of renewed purpose, hope and courage.

With the warmest regards,

Digital Renegade

1st January 2023