Campbell Vertesi

I recently found out about an incredible tenor who's been singing at all the great houses for the last 30 years, but who has somehow managed to fly under the radar, fame-wise. His name is Giuseppe Giacomini, and why he is not a household name is beyond me. Seriously, the more I listen to this guy the more his high notes make me gesticulate wildly and cheer out loud.

He sounds like a baritone. A baritone with the best B natural on the freaking planet! See if you can stay in your seat listening to this one.

How did you do? I managed to stay sitting this time, but I had to beat the air with my fists during the high notes. And I let out a little "bravo" at the end, though I tried so hard not to.

The fact that this man sang like this for 30 years at every great house from Scala to the Met, and is not a household name like Corelli or Pavarotti is amazing to me. Amazing, and sort of depressing. So I consider it a mitzvah to pass on this forbidden knowledge to you. Now go and share the gospel of Giacomini with all of your friends.

I think I may be the only blogger who hasn't posted about this yet - is it safe to say we've all heard of Lonelygirl15?  The Youtube sensation has recently been revealed as actress Jessica Rose, and her videocast as being related to an Internet Service of some description.  It's not an amateur affair, and it's not clear yet where the revenue comes in.  

It's been suggested that Youtube itself is the company behind the broadcast.  We've all wondered how Youtube planned to make money - and maybe a hosted show is the answer.  All I know is that they've definitely started crossing borders with this thing.
In her famous swimming entry, Lonelygirl15 made some reference to "Cassie" - "whatever happened to her?"  Prompting speculation across the web.  Who was Cassie?  What did happen to her?  Well, Cassie has appeared with her own videoblog on YouTube.  Her posts are pretty creepy (think Japanese horror movie).  The first one showed her throwing things into the same stream where Lonelygirl15 had been swimming.  

And here's where it gets interesting - a YouTube member went to the stream, and found the Tarot card for "Judgement".  Whaaaaa?

So now we have a truly modern 'TV show' - it only takes place on the Web, it has no commercials (yet?), involves multiple perspectives on (maybe) the same events, and it crosses over into the real world.  This would be like someone leaving a ninja star at the scene of a Ninja Turtles episode (except somewhat less dangerous).  Crazy stuff.
Which segues into my next topic - next-gen media and the arts.  Wait for it.  It's coming.  No, really - i mean it this time. I'm taking some time to stay at home and be sick, and I'll be writing.