Monte Carlo or Bust of Napoleon?

Travelling around the Mediterranean on board the luxurious Queen Victoria isn't a bad way to spend two weeks of your life.
However, for Robin, it was no holiday.
Four concerts, all entirely different programmes, require an awful lot of preparation.
The concerts were split. Two within the first few days, and the final two towards the end of the trip.
Consequently, Robin had time to visit some incredible places, in between practicing and rehearsals.

Firstly, here is a more unusual image of the Queen Victoria, and a picture Robin is rather proud of:



Then, a more conventional view of the QV, nestled in the background whilst docked in Ajaccio, Corsica:



Throughout Ajaccio you can find many statues of Napoleon Bonaparte as he was born here in 1769:



One can't help imagining that Napoleon would have walked down this very street at some point:



After a day in Civitavecchia, which consisted mainly of rehearsals, they arrived in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Robin has visited Monte Carlo many times and has very fond memories of this particular trip, 'Monte Carlo and Madeline Bell'.
Only in Monte Carlo would the corner shop sell Ferrari's...and why has the motorbike in the foreground got 2 front wheels?




I must say I rather like the posters for the Monte Carlo Orchestre Philharmonique:





And this beautiful stairway, which is apparently much larger than it appears in this photograph:



Plus a typical church below the famous mountains of Monte Carlo:



After all this French speaking it seemed appropriate that Robin was reading this book:





But now Robin is home.
The concerts all went very well and the director is keen for him to return.
He may have to wait a while.
Next stop, well, you'll have to wait and see...

A 'Lollipop' in Cannes

Robin has spent a hot and humid day in Cannes.
I must confess my sympathy was 'reserved' to say the least, as I contended with two children, housebound by rain, and not so quietly going mad.

However, Cannes always brings back a flood of memories for Robin.
Our day started with 'over the 'phone' reminiscing, all with musical connections, some I have mentioned before, and often connected with Madeline Bell.

At one point Robin did ask me if son number one knew where he was.
He did.
He had in fact woke this morning and asked the latest destination.
When I informed him that Robin was in Cannes he replied, "Oh, right, well that's nice. That's where one of my films has been shown."
For those new to the blog, this is what he was talking about.

To watch the short film either check out the links or click here.

A Song, A Soprano, and A Book

Where's Izzy Cooper when you need her?
Robin is currently working on a few arrangements for the concerts in August.
They are sounding great, but there is a problem.
He keeps seeking me out, and asking me, to sing the soprano part.

The problem is, I'm not a singer.
By any stretch of the imagination, I am not a singer.
I'd love to be a singer, and have tried recording various songs of Robin's, over the years.
And he has always, very patiently, manned the recording equipment, before playing back the 'take', and trying to disguise the nervous tick that starts to develop.

But I am trained to observe, and I also have ears.
I can hear that I am no singer.
I can also see the flicker of pain as it crosses the sensitive musician's face.
That's OK though, we got past all that years ago.

So today, as he asks me to sing some parts for him, he is under no illusions, and neither am I.
Basically we are checking that the notes are all in the right places...
The children have escaped to another room and the dogs have their paws over their ears.

Actually, I'm doing myself an injustice.
I'm not that bad, as non-professional singers go, I'm OK.
But Robin has spent parts of his career working with some incredible singers, Pavarotti, Russell Watson, Madeline Bell, etc.
So my 'singing round the house' style just can't compete.

Luckily, I'm not trying to make a living out of it.
I have however just completed a book.
A whole book, from start to finish, written.
I still have some editing to do, and the small matter of getting an agent and publisher, but I won't let that spoil the mood.
It's not everyone that can say they have written a book...

Monte Carlo and Madeline Bell

Robin is having a very nostalgic day.
He awoke to find himself in Monte Carlo.
He has always had very fond memories of being there back in the early 80's.

At the time he frequently played with the fabulous Madeline Bell.

A two week spot at the luxurious Monte-Carlo Sporting Club had been booked.
Madeline always looks after her musicians very well, and on this occasion, the band were given the option of either flying to Nice, or, travelling by car.

Most of the band opted to drive.
Robin chose to fly.
Consequently he arrived at Nice airport on his own.
This was an exciting time.
Two weeks in Monte Carlo, with Madeline Bell, and a fantastic band.
He got a taxi, made his way to the hotel, (which was a very nice place in the old quarter near the casino), and was promptly met by the porter.
"May I take your luggage Sir?"
"Oh, erm, I seem to have left it at the airport..."
In his haste he had completely forgotten to collect his bags! (I am pleased to say he is a little more careful these days.)

These two weeks were some of the most memorable for Robin.
Two of his closest friends were also band members, Tony Relph (drums) and Nigel Thomas, or as he was known, 'Nidge' (bass).
Sadly both of these fine musicians are no longer with us.

There was an excellent chemistry between all the band members and they enjoyed themselves both on, and off, the stage.
Many happy hours were spent in their hotel, where they had formed their own club, which Robin named, 'The Noel Coward Club', in which they basically sat around in bathrobes, drinking tea and having a million laughs.

So to be back in Monte Carlo is proving rather strange.
He still misses these two special friends very much. They had so many shared memories over so many years.
But as I pointed out to Robin, they would both have been delighted to hear that he was back in town, and all because he is still out there, playing music.