AB2KT and the opera

On Saturday evening, Frank B. (AB2KT), will have his opera
performed by the Cygnus ensemble in the Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in
NYC.

For those nearby, there are tickets available, but they are going fast.

http://cygnusensemble.com/cms/2007-2008-season/index.php

73’s
Bob
N4HY


AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL,
TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair
“Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place.
Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by
definition, not smart enough to debug it.” - Brian W. Kernighan

Well I apologize for sending that note out inviting everyone to come to
a sold out performance. I hope no one was inconvenienced.

For Frank (AB2KT), it was a triumph. Frank was brought up on stage to
give opening remarks about the opera. This was required as this was NOT
a full production of the opera but playing/singing of the full libretto
and Frank’s musical interpretation of the traditional mystery play,
without the action. As such, Frank was asked to come up and explain
what action WOULD have taken place had it been a full production. I was
REALLY surprised to FINALLY understand things like the source of
Milton’s “plot” for Paradise Lost. Haleh Abghari, a very well known
mezzo-soprano, was spectacular in her role in this.

I wanted to just say how proud I am to have Frank as a friend. He is a
remarkable renaissance man. The master of ceremonies for the program
even delivered my characterization of Frank as a polymath (with my full
support) in the program. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.
Shann and I really enjoyed the entire experience immensely.

Congratulations Frank!
Bob/Shann N4HY/N2HPE

Bob McGwier wrote:

N4HY


AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL,
TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair
“Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place.
Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by
definition, not smart enough to debug it.” - Brian W. Kernighan

On Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 11:47 AM, Bob McGwier [email protected]
wrote:

Well I apologize for sending that note out inviting everyone to come to
a sold out performance. I hope no one was inconvenienced…

For the record, it should be noted that the N4HY crowd in the audience
led
the cheering, so the level of enthusiasm should be viewed with some
skepticism.

The presenters may actually have made some money on this show. That is
the
part nobody could have predicted.

After many decades of being a composer, it’s my belief that writing
music is
a lot like architecture: the fundamental task is to make sure nobody
gets
killed or injured by your work. By that standard, the evening was a
raging
success.

My greatest thanks to everyone.

Frank

Frank B. wrote:

led the cheering, so the level of enthusiasm should be viewed with
some skepticism.

Okay, so I brought half of New Jersey with me. Bill Andersen (master of
ceremonies) said WOW, did you bring half of New Jersey with you? ;-).
He then introduced me to the conductor for the guitar ensemble and I
could not figure out why until the conductor (prodded by Bill)
introduced himself as an ex-Marine who left an intelligence division in
Iraq on medical disability and then out. He then introduced me to his
sister, who was STILL such a non-com and was headed back. They showed
me a picture the OTHER sister who was still there!

Let me assure you, NEVER EVER judge a book by its cover. You would not
have picked this long haired, VERY stereotypical musical scene type nor
his GORGEOUS sisters out as Marines.

When Bill and I compared notes, we found that Frank has almost managed
to keep his musical and “polymath” worlds completely separated. We have
each known Frank as long as the other and I never heard Frank mention
Bill until the (now infamous) George Antheil Music Festival (coinventor
of Spread Spectrum with Hedy Lamarr and major composer).

The presenters may actually have made some money on this show. That is
the part nobody could have predicted.
With packed house, and people TURNED AWAY at the box office (I heard
them doing it as Meghan arrived late), I believe all parties made
money. Congratulations indeed.

After many decades of being a composer, it’s my belief that writing
music is a lot like architecture: the fundamental task is to make sure
nobody gets killed or injured by your work. By that standard, the
evening was a raging success.

And here I thought that the process was simply living long enough
without getting killed or killing yourself so that your contemporaries
were too senile or tired to know better. ;-).

My greatest thanks to everyone.

Frank

Our thanks to you for allowing us to have so much fun by having you as a
peer. The evening was fun beyond belief until I picked up the bill for
four people at Trattoria del Arte.

Now! Can we do some ham radio?

:wink:

Bob


AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL,
TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair
“Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place.
Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by
definition, not smart enough to debug it.” - Brian W. Kernighan