Magdalen Ashman
@msmezzo.bsky.social
Mezzo-soprano, a Mrs Fricka Wotan, siamese cat adorer, TRIP superfan, skyscape observer and recently goth girl with Regents Opera
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
River Thames this morning
January 28, 2026 at 9:20 AM
River Thames this morning
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Drama at the opera as Royal Opera chief steps in for sick tenor
Drama at the opera as Royal Opera chief steps in for sick tenor
Richard Hetherington forced to play Prince Calàf in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot after French tenor Roberto Alagna taken ill
In terms of drama at the opera, it will be difficult to surpass Tuesday’s performance of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot after a tenor became unwell leading to a surprise substitution.
A Royal Opera House chief, dressed in a jumper, chinos and trainers, deputised in the lead role after French tenor Roberto Alagna, playing Prince Calàf, became ill after the second act. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Drama at the opera as Royal Opera chief steps in for sick tenor
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
‘I wasn’t going to be diverted,’ says King Charles about campaign on the environment
‘I wasn’t going to be diverted,’ says King Charles about campaign on the environment
Monarch says he has remained focused despite early criticisms of his beliefs, in new film, ‘Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision’
King Charles has revealed he “wasn’t going to be diverted” from his environmental campaigning despite criticism in the past in a new documentary showcasing his philosophy of “Harmony”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:34 PM
‘I wasn’t going to be diverted,’ says King Charles about campaign on the environment
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
January 7, 2026 at 11:48 AM
50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Art could save your life! Five creative ways to make 2026 happier, healthier and more hopeful
Art could save your life! Five creative ways to make 2026 happier, healthier and more hopeful
Engaging in creativity can reduce depression, improve immunity and delay ageing – all while you’re having fun
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:23 AM
Art could save your life! Five creative ways to make 2026 happier, healthier and more hopeful
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Important point: university isn't just for posh kids; Erasmus+ gives non-posh kids same chance as posh kids to study abroad, which they otherwise wdn't have; & covers vocational & other non-university training & education exchanges. And if more students come to the UK, that increases UK soft power.
I wish the Brexit dinosaurs would stop this "Erasmus is for posh kids" crap. Half the young population goes to university, these days, in UK and most of EU. And most of the half that doesn't is also eligible for Erasmus+, which covers schools, further education, adult learners and in-work training.
December 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Important point: university isn't just for posh kids; Erasmus+ gives non-posh kids same chance as posh kids to study abroad, which they otherwise wdn't have; & covers vocational & other non-university training & education exchanges. And if more students come to the UK, that increases UK soft power.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Still time to order for pre-Christmas delivery, and help knock Russell Watson's autobiography off the top of the opera book sales charts.
amzn.eu/d/dgiy3nq
amzn.eu/d/dgiy3nq
Things Left Unsung: Essays on Opera 2021-2025
Buy Things Left Unsung: Essays on Opera 2021-2025 by Jones, Paul Carey (ISBN: 9798275127300) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
amzn.eu
December 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Still time to order for pre-Christmas delivery, and help knock Russell Watson's autobiography off the top of the opera book sales charts.
amzn.eu/d/dgiy3nq
amzn.eu/d/dgiy3nq
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
New York, this moment belongs to you. Please join us for the Inauguration of a New Era on January 1, 2026.
December 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
New York, this moment belongs to you. Please join us for the Inauguration of a New Era on January 1, 2026.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts | Martin Kettle
Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts | Martin Kettle
Not all of the problems of Britain’s cultural sector come down to funding, but an awful lot do. That’s where leadership comes in, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts | Martin Kettle
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
This chart is about tactical voting, but looking at it from the perspective of ‘would it be easier for labour to get voters back from Reform, or from literally anyone else’ is quite revealing
If voters could vote against a party (More in Common)
December 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
This chart is about tactical voting, but looking at it from the perspective of ‘would it be easier for labour to get voters back from Reform, or from literally anyone else’ is quite revealing
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
🔥 Highly recommended that you all sign and share.
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
🔥 Highly recommended that you all sign and share.
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
I’ve been in or around politics for over a half-century now.
I’ve watched as corporations and the super-rich flooded D.C. with campaign cash and ransacked our system.
It won't be easy, but here’s how we break the corporate oligarchy and return power to the people.
I’ve watched as corporations and the super-rich flooded D.C. with campaign cash and ransacked our system.
It won't be easy, but here’s how we break the corporate oligarchy and return power to the people.
The Big Picture: How We Got Into This Mess, And How We Get Out of It | Robert Reich
Robert Reich
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I’ve been in or around politics for over a half-century now.
I’ve watched as corporations and the super-rich flooded D.C. with campaign cash and ransacked our system.
It won't be easy, but here’s how we break the corporate oligarchy and return power to the people.
I’ve watched as corporations and the super-rich flooded D.C. with campaign cash and ransacked our system.
It won't be easy, but here’s how we break the corporate oligarchy and return power to the people.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.
November 23, 2025 at 12:08 PM
45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Germany to classify date rape drugs as weapons to ensure justice for survivors
Germany to classify date rape drugs as weapons to ensure justice for survivors
Classification plan will create basis for ‘significantly stricter’ prosecutions, says interior minister
Germany plans to treat the use of date rape drugs like the use of weapons in prosecutions as part of measures to ensure justice for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“We classify date rape drugs, which are increasingly used as a widespread tool in crimes, as weapons. This creates the basis for significantly stricter prosecutions,” Alexander Dobrindt, the interior minister, said on Friday. “We are committed to clear consequences and consistent enforcement. Women should feel safe and be able to move freely everywhere.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Germany to classify date rape drugs as weapons to ensure justice for survivors
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
We need to follow the money.
JP Morgan CEO Jaime Dimon and those Wall Street bankers must testify under oath about their financing of Jeffrey Epstein.
JP Morgan CEO Jaime Dimon and those Wall Street bankers must testify under oath about their financing of Jeffrey Epstein.
We need to follow the money.
YouTube video by Senator Elizabeth Warren
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
We need to follow the money.
JP Morgan CEO Jaime Dimon and those Wall Street bankers must testify under oath about their financing of Jeffrey Epstein.
JP Morgan CEO Jaime Dimon and those Wall Street bankers must testify under oath about their financing of Jeffrey Epstein.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth, Germany 🇩🇪
A Masterpiece of Baroque theater architecture, where the auditorium and stage form a single unit.
#art #architecture #opera #theater
A Masterpiece of Baroque theater architecture, where the auditorium and stage form a single unit.
#art #architecture #opera #theater
October 29, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth, Germany 🇩🇪
A Masterpiece of Baroque theater architecture, where the auditorium and stage form a single unit.
#art #architecture #opera #theater
A Masterpiece of Baroque theater architecture, where the auditorium and stage form a single unit.
#art #architecture #opera #theater
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
16 seconds peaceful Tuolumne River sound for you.
November 2, 2025 at 11:51 PM
16 seconds peaceful Tuolumne River sound for you.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
I was running early to an event so I got off BART a stop early at Powell Street for an extra walk.
Instead I sat and listened to a wonderful pianist play for 20 minutes. At one point another person came up and asked if they could play together, and they did.
I love music on transit ❤️🎶
Instead I sat and listened to a wonderful pianist play for 20 minutes. At one point another person came up and asked if they could play together, and they did.
I love music on transit ❤️🎶
November 3, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I was running early to an event so I got off BART a stop early at Powell Street for an extra walk.
Instead I sat and listened to a wonderful pianist play for 20 minutes. At one point another person came up and asked if they could play together, and they did.
I love music on transit ❤️🎶
Instead I sat and listened to a wonderful pianist play for 20 minutes. At one point another person came up and asked if they could play together, and they did.
I love music on transit ❤️🎶
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Happy World Opera Day! 🎭✨
Today we celebrate the artistry, emotion, and timeless beauty of opera, as well as the artists, musicians, and audiences who keep this magnificent art form alive.
#WorldOperaDay #Opera #PerformingArts #Culture #Music
Today we celebrate the artistry, emotion, and timeless beauty of opera, as well as the artists, musicians, and audiences who keep this magnificent art form alive.
#WorldOperaDay #Opera #PerformingArts #Culture #Music
October 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Happy World Opera Day! 🎭✨
Today we celebrate the artistry, emotion, and timeless beauty of opera, as well as the artists, musicians, and audiences who keep this magnificent art form alive.
#WorldOperaDay #Opera #PerformingArts #Culture #Music
Today we celebrate the artistry, emotion, and timeless beauty of opera, as well as the artists, musicians, and audiences who keep this magnificent art form alive.
#WorldOperaDay #Opera #PerformingArts #Culture #Music
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Had a wander around the web, looking for something concise on how one might feel when a loved one dies after a long time with dementia. Thought this (c/o griefline.co.uk) was the best. Maybe worth passing on to others if you know anyone in that situation - or you, like me, are facing it right now.
August 16, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Had a wander around the web, looking for something concise on how one might feel when a loved one dies after a long time with dementia. Thought this (c/o griefline.co.uk) was the best. Maybe worth passing on to others if you know anyone in that situation - or you, like me, are facing it right now.
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe. Will we listen to his words today?
August 13, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe. Will we listen to his words today?
Reposted by Magdalen Ashman
Norwegian National Opera and Ballet by Snøhetta
Oslo, Norway
Oslo, Norway
August 13, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Norwegian National Opera and Ballet by Snøhetta
Oslo, Norway
Oslo, Norway