A rare Monday evening at home tonight with choir now on a break for a couple of weeks, following our weekend of concerts. All went well, although I did have a delightfully roaring headcold which made everything sound much further away than it was. Needless to say this is a little disconcerting for an accompanist. Still I think it was okay.

Last night I gave Battle of the Choirs a second chance. It was marginally improved although the extremely awkward term “choralography” was continually bandied about between the judges. Wondering just what on earth this was all about I googled today – and discovered it is a word for describing choral song and movement (when they occur together). Who knew??

I then stayed tuned for Mansfield Park on the ABC, where Billie Piper seemed strangely cast as Fanny Price. For me this was not the Fanny Price of the book -far too spirited and colourful.
As far as it went it was entertaining, but I believe Austen is far more suited to serial television form (rather than 90 minute film). So much has to be left out. The characterisation of Edmund Bertram and Mary Crawford was okay, but Henry Crawford just didn’t seem dashing enough. And Lady Bertram seemed far too healthy and together. I did like the nuances Douglas Hodge brought to Sir Thomas though.
Anyway, quibbles aside, it was still enjoyable, if not for me always recognisably Austen