Dickson Carr, John: The Hollow Man

This is one of the classic locked-room mysteries of detective fiction first published here in 1935.   The
action takes place in and around the Russell Square area of Bloomsbury in London even though the
author was American.   In fact, many of his works are set in England.   This particular one features
Dr Gideon Fell, one of Carr's two main protagonists, eccentric, large and highly intelligent, a great
friend with Inspector Hadley of Scotland Yard.   The latter is called to the scene of the crime while
visiting Fell who accompanies him on his investigation.   Despite the acclaim which the novel has
received, I found it a little on the tedious side with overmuch elaboration of the possible explanations
that are offered, particularly a rather long exposition by Fell of different ways of purportedly undetectable murders.   The solution is ingenious and unexpected though I confess I am not one of
those who claim to know who the murderer is almost before the corpse is cold!

Mozart: Die Zauberflote at La Monnaie

I have several dvd recordings of 'Die Zauberflote' from celebrated opera houses such as The Met in
New York and La Scala, Milan.   I have never reviewed any of them or any other opera I have recorded but this one is special.
Staged at La Monnaie (Die Munt in Flemish) in Brussels between 25 and 27 September 2018, this is
in some ways a stripped down performance.   There is minimal scenery and a competent cast though
Sabine Devieilhe is introduced in the programme note as a leading performer of the Queen of the Night' role.   What makes this so different from all other versions is the addition of 10 amateur non-singers.   In a moving sequence, five blind women recite their personal histories, one after the other with a matter of fact tone whether their blindness has been
from birth, later illness or accident.   This is followed by five men relating their experiences as victims of fire which has disfigured their bodies and faces though not grotesquely so.   There is then
interaction between them with the blind women feeling the naked upper bodies of the men in what
is decidedly non-erotic fashion.   Even with these sequences and earlier actions on stage, the length
of the opera is less than that of some I have and much the same as others.   Not having the language
skills to follow why what happened did happen in relation to the normal unfolding of the opera (the broadcast was on ARTE German channel), I found the inclusion very moving as I am sure those who
saw the live performances did.