David Nice
@davidnice.bsky.social
Writer, lecturer, broadcaster, happily bestriding London and Dublin. Classical music/Opera Editor of The Arts Desk, author of seven books including Prokofiev: From Russia to the West (Yale). Running two Zoom courses, one on opera, the other on concert rep.
Pinned
David Nice
@davidnice.bsky.social
· Nov 23
Giving it a try on here after low-key interactions on Mastodon - excellent for finding out about the world, but I missed most of the musical folk I left behind on Xitter last year. Good to see some famiiar faces already.
Marlis Petersen's multifaceted 337-year-old matches Simon Rattle's incandescent @londonsymphony.bsky.social @barbican.bsky.social in Janáček's fascinating score. theartsdesk.com/opera/makrop...
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Marlis Petersen's multifaceted 337-year-old matches Simon Rattle's incandescent @londonsymphony.bsky.social @barbican.bsky.social in Janáček's fascinating score. theartsdesk.com/opera/makrop...
Reposted by David Nice
Reposted by David Nice
★★★★ In Search of #Youkali #KatieBray & Friends #FidelioCafe - A versatile team led by the superb mezzo delivers in the perfect setting a well-shaped Weill cornucopia - review @davidnice.bsky.social www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...
January 13, 2026 at 12:26 PM
★★★★ In Search of #Youkali #KatieBray & Friends #FidelioCafe - A versatile team led by the superb mezzo delivers in the perfect setting a well-shaped Weill cornucopia - review @davidnice.bsky.social www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...
Reposted by David Nice
A number of people on this platform have been claiming that it's not up to government to shorten people's time on remand, however far beyond the statutory limit that time extends.
Well, take it from a very eminent retired judge. It is.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Well, take it from a very eminent retired judge. It is.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action hunger strikers are still the state’s responsibility | Letters
Letters: The power is in the hands of the DPP or the attorney general, writes Stephen Sedley. Plus Roshi Fernando on Keir Starmer’s unforgivable conduct
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:44 AM
A number of people on this platform have been claiming that it's not up to government to shorten people's time on remand, however far beyond the statutory limit that time extends.
Well, take it from a very eminent retired judge. It is.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Well, take it from a very eminent retired judge. It is.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Happy memory of an engaging evening in the warmth of the Fidelio Cafe on Friday evening. Katie Bray is a superb communicator and ran the gamut in Weill's German, French and American songs. theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...
January 13, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Happy memory of an engaging evening in the warmth of the Fidelio Cafe on Friday evening. Katie Bray is a superb communicator and ran the gamut in Weill's German, French and American songs. theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...
One of my students, who works at a food bank in Miami, told us yesterday that one of his co-workers had just been taken by ICE. It's affecting us all, directly or indirectly. He hopes to use his ex-lawyer skills to discover where this person has gone, but knows it won't be easy. More detail anon.
January 13, 2026 at 10:21 AM
One of my students, who works at a food bank in Miami, told us yesterday that one of his co-workers had just been taken by ICE. It's affecting us all, directly or indirectly. He hopes to use his ex-lawyer skills to discover where this person has gone, but knows it won't be easy. More detail anon.
Hard-hitting as ever. Where are all the Democrats shouting out about all this? It only ever seems to be the valiant few. And Buttigieg is using tortoise tactics to catch the hare - in this case, it won't end as in the fable.
AOC: I want everybody to understand that the cuts to your health care are what’s paying for this. You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs in the street that are shooting mothers in the face.
January 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Hard-hitting as ever. Where are all the Democrats shouting out about all this? It only ever seems to be the valiant few. And Buttigieg is using tortoise tactics to catch the hare - in this case, it won't end as in the fable.
Reposted by David Nice
The government sits and watches as Heba dies. It's heartbreaking, horrible, almost impossible to compute. Didn't people vote in the hope (however forlorn) of ending the Tories' psychopathic mode of government? Yet on it goes, under Keir Starmer. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Imprisoned hunger striker linked to Palestine Action tells friend: ‘I’m dying’
Francesca Nadin visited Heba Muraisi, 31, in a Wakefield prison at the weekend and says ‘her body is shutting down’
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:22 PM
The government sits and watches as Heba dies. It's heartbreaking, horrible, almost impossible to compute. Didn't people vote in the hope (however forlorn) of ending the Tories' psychopathic mode of government? Yet on it goes, under Keir Starmer. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by David Nice
One out of 12 rams is uninterested in females. Deemed “non-procreative" by farmers, they're typically sent to slaughter. German farmer Michael Stücke rescues the gay rams. His company Rainbow Wool, sells fabulous wool products from his flock of gay sheep. rainbow-wool.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:26 PM
One out of 12 rams is uninterested in females. Deemed “non-procreative" by farmers, they're typically sent to slaughter. German farmer Michael Stücke rescues the gay rams. His company Rainbow Wool, sells fabulous wool products from his flock of gay sheep. rainbow-wool.com
A timely reminder that London has its own Mamdani, even if Sadiq is less radical. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Sorry, Trump and Farage – London is no lawless ‘warzone’. Violent crime is lower than ever | Sadiq Khan
Reform’s new candidate for mayor claims people pity Londoners for living in an unsafe capital. But the evidence is clear: we’re making our streets safer, says mayor of London Sadiq Khan
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:01 AM
A timely reminder that London has its own Mamdani, even if Sadiq is less radical. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Nice
People have been trying to talk London down, but the evidence tells a different story.
Last year saw:
The lowest murder rate per capita since records began
The fewest murders of those aged under 25 this century
One of the lowest numbers of homicides for almost three decades
Last year saw:
The lowest murder rate per capita since records began
The fewest murders of those aged under 25 this century
One of the lowest numbers of homicides for almost three decades
January 12, 2026 at 7:27 AM
People have been trying to talk London down, but the evidence tells a different story.
Last year saw:
The lowest murder rate per capita since records began
The fewest murders of those aged under 25 this century
One of the lowest numbers of homicides for almost three decades
Last year saw:
The lowest murder rate per capita since records began
The fewest murders of those aged under 25 this century
One of the lowest numbers of homicides for almost three decades
Reposted by David Nice
My other half reminded me that we were civilly partnered 20 years ago today. Important, because it was only three weeks after civil partnerships were inauguration in the UK. We'll actually have been together 38 years this September. No photo, sadly, because he doesn't want to appear on social media.
January 11, 2026 at 11:00 PM
My other half reminded me that we were civilly partnered 20 years ago today. Important, because it was only three weeks after civil partnerships were inauguration in the UK. We'll actually have been together 38 years this September. No photo, sadly, because he doesn't want to appear on social media.
Reposted by David Nice
Somali aunties were giving out samosas to the anti ICE protesters in Minneapolis.
January 11, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Somali aunties were giving out samosas to the anti ICE protesters in Minneapolis.
Reposted by David Nice
Yet to catch up on Italy and Bulgaria, but here's a familiar Dublin scene, with a difference - the coldest swim yet, north wind blasting and sea temperature 8-9 degrees. Glad we joined the other fruitcakes in doing it, though - and hoping there's no troll as on Parterre to comment on my teeth...
The year truly begins with a swim
Though a very effervescent New Year's Day concert crowned the afternoon of 1 January, my senior swimming companion Catherine and I were only...
davidnice.blogspot.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Yet to catch up on Italy and Bulgaria, but here's a familiar Dublin scene, with a difference - the coldest swim yet, north wind blasting and sea temperature 8-9 degrees. Glad we joined the other fruitcakes in doing it, though - and hoping there's no troll as on Parterre to comment on my teeth...
Reposted by David Nice
@zackpolanski.bsky.social : "Ukrainian refugees have been accepted, but where is that same kindness and compassion to human beings from Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea?"
"Ukrainian refugees haven't been getting on small boats.."
"that's because they've been given safe & managed routes" 🎯
"Ukrainian refugees haven't been getting on small boats.."
"that's because they've been given safe & managed routes" 🎯
January 10, 2026 at 7:42 AM
@zackpolanski.bsky.social : "Ukrainian refugees have been accepted, but where is that same kindness and compassion to human beings from Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea?"
"Ukrainian refugees haven't been getting on small boats.."
"that's because they've been given safe & managed routes" 🎯
"Ukrainian refugees haven't been getting on small boats.."
"that's because they've been given safe & managed routes" 🎯
Reposted by David Nice
This is a screenshot from a video that the White House posted on X promoting the cruelty of ICE.
January 11, 2026 at 12:57 AM
This is a screenshot from a video that the White House posted on X promoting the cruelty of ICE.
Reposted by David Nice
A woman recording an ICE agent tells him "Shame on you."
The agent responds, "Have you all not learned from the past couple of days?"
"Learned what?" she asks
Then he knocks her phone out of her hand
The agent responds, "Have you all not learned from the past couple of days?"
"Learned what?" she asks
Then he knocks her phone out of her hand
January 10, 2026 at 2:52 PM
A woman recording an ICE agent tells him "Shame on you."
The agent responds, "Have you all not learned from the past couple of days?"
"Learned what?" she asks
Then he knocks her phone out of her hand
The agent responds, "Have you all not learned from the past couple of days?"
"Learned what?" she asks
Then he knocks her phone out of her hand
It was glorious, and the Fidelio Cafe proved the perfect setting. More on @theartsdesk.bsky.social soon.
So looking forward to hearing this wonderful singer go full Weill tonight. Everything she writes here I agree with totally. A composer for our times. We'll be spending five Mondays on 'The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny' for my Opera in Depth Zoom course. theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...
January 10, 2026 at 12:33 PM
It was glorious, and the Fidelio Cafe proved the perfect setting. More on @theartsdesk.bsky.social soon.
Reposted by David Nice
There are MPs making a lot of money from #X #Twitter #Grokhub - a platform which still allows images of women & children to be sexualised:
Nigel Farage Approx £9,663
Richard Tice Approx £5,770
Lee Anderson Approx £3,871
Rupert Lowe Nearly £40,000
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Nigel Farage Approx £9,663
Richard Tice Approx £5,770
Lee Anderson Approx £3,871
Rupert Lowe Nearly £40,000
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reform MPs including Nigel Farage paid thousands by Elon Musk’s X for posting on site
The scheme has been branded an ‘unholy alliance’ between the right wing and billionaire Musk
www.independent.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 8:43 AM
There are MPs making a lot of money from #X #Twitter #Grokhub - a platform which still allows images of women & children to be sexualised:
Nigel Farage Approx £9,663
Richard Tice Approx £5,770
Lee Anderson Approx £3,871
Rupert Lowe Nearly £40,000
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Nigel Farage Approx £9,663
Richard Tice Approx £5,770
Lee Anderson Approx £3,871
Rupert Lowe Nearly £40,000
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by David Nice
It's a pearl in all the filth on here. Take it, more than one of you!
Weathering the tough winter: bought this September-April flowering hellebore in Howbert & May and it's still going strong on the Dublin roof terrace. We can be the same!
January 9, 2026 at 4:36 PM
It's a pearl in all the filth on here. Take it, more than one of you!
Weathering the tough winter: bought this September-April flowering hellebore in Howbert & May and it's still going strong on the Dublin roof terrace. We can be the same!
January 9, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Weathering the tough winter: bought this September-April flowering hellebore in Howbert & May and it's still going strong on the Dublin roof terrace. We can be the same!
Reposted by David Nice
Stephen Miller’s cousin 👇🏽
January 9, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Stephen Miller’s cousin 👇🏽
So looking forward to hearing this wonderful singer go full Weill tonight. Everything she writes here I agree with totally. A composer for our times. We'll be spending five Mondays on 'The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny' for my Opera in Depth Zoom course. theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...
January 9, 2026 at 11:59 AM
So looking forward to hearing this wonderful singer go full Weill tonight. Everything she writes here I agree with totally. A composer for our times. We'll be spending five Mondays on 'The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny' for my Opera in Depth Zoom course. theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...