Nano Notes:
Opera Without End
No sooner do the happy chords of I Puritani‘s happy ending die out than the mysterious opening mood of Macbeth insinuates itself into the apartment (music that foreshadows the Sleepwalking Scene). And we’re off!
The Pink Nano (I now have every model, except the 8G in silver) is loaded with opera. Puritani — by far my favorite bel canto opera — is at the top of the playlist. About half of Verdi’s opera follow, in chronological order. Then Manon Lescaut, La Bohème, and Turandot. Wagner follows: Die Meistersigner, Tristan und Isolde, and the entire Ring cycle.
Did I mention that this barely takes up half of Pink’s capacity?
The Nano marks the second revolution in music at home that I have experienced in my sixty years. Curiously enough, it reverses the first. The first revolution replaced a Grundig Majestic table radio with a set of stereo components. The Nano, docked in a Klipsch RoomGroove, effectively restores the table radio configuation, and in more ways than one.
I’m still not prepared to discuss the surprising sound; all I can say is that it’s perfectly satisfying — much better than satisfactory. This is very surprising, but there you are. The other characteristic of the old table radio that I’m happy to have back in my life is the simplicity of simply turning the damned thing on and listening to whatever comes out. You might consider each of my Nanos as a different radio station, only of course it’s much better than a radio station. Opera without end! And without interruption.
It has to do with the concentration of choice. I made a choice when I bought each opera recording in my collection. I don’t want to have to make another when it comes to listening. Before the Nano came into my life, I was so tired of asking myself what I was in the mood to listen to that I just went without. This arrangement is much better. Am I in the mood to listen to Macbeth? Well, as it happens, the moment it starts, I’m hooked.
Next up is the one about the foundation of Venice: Attila.