Gerda Maurus in Spione [Spies], dir. Fritz Lang, 1928.
CAMP: "A cornucopia of frivolity, incongruity, theatricality, and humour." "A deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit-flavored, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love." "The lie that tells the truth." "Ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical; effeminate or homosexual; pertaining to or characteristic of homosexuals."
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Sunday, 1 October 2023
Zig-a-zig-a-zag
Hearing this fabulously camp vocal interpretation of Saent-Saens' spooky orchestral number on BBC Radio 3 the other day just served to remind me just what a genius this lady really was:
[See here for another brilliant version.]A decade ago, I featured a tribute to Madame Cathy Berberian (for it is she) over at my other blog Give 'en the old Razzle Dazzle, and here it is again for your delectation:
Apart from being an accomplished mezzo-soprano, singing everything from Monteverdi to operetta, Lieder and Music Hall numbers - in 36 languages - she also recorded a ground-breaking vocal and electronic experimental album called "Visage" [one wondered where Steve Strange got the idea for his band name] as early as 1961, had music written specifically for her by Stravinsky and John Cage (among other avant-garde artists), translated Woody Allen into Italian with Umberto Eco, did comedic routines to accompany her eclectic cabaret evenings of which Anna Russell would be proud, and owned a collection of French pornographic porcelain to boot!We are proud possessors here at Dolores Delargo Towers of two albums by Madame Berberian, one a 1973 live concert from Edinburgh in which she tackles everything from Saint-Saens, Delibes and Purcell to such Victorian ditties as Father's a Drunkard and Mother is Dead and There Are Fairies At The Bottom Of Our Garden...
The other, even more superbly off-the wall and a definite favourite, is her classic 1967 album Revolution - 'An Operatic First', a collection of Beatles songs done in the Baroque operatic style, believe it or not.
And here, from that very collection, is the lady herself performing Ticket to Ride:
As Mark Swed, writing in the LA Times said, "She did it all. Check her out."
Read more about the splendid Cathy Berberian at the ever-wonderful Dangerous Minds website.
Thursday, 21 September 2023
Pining for summer already
Paul Cadmus - Fantasia on a Theme by Dr. S, 1946
[click to enlarge]
It's the Autumn Equinox this weekend - it's all downhill from there...
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
She defined femininity
"She helped define femininity for her generation with her chic manner" - A. Scott Berg
Ah, Claudette Colbert...
...not bad for 120!
Claudette Colbert (born Émilie Claudette Chauchoin, 13th September 1903 – 30th July 1996)
Friday, 8 September 2023
But who will inherit the headdress?
¡Qué triste!
One of our favourite, and most flamboyant, of Spanish divas María Jiménez has departed for Fabulon, fag and peacock feathers in hand...
Here's our favourite moment of hers here at Dolores Delargo Towers - when one finds onself in a graffiti-ridden bus shelter with a drink in one's hand, one should always wear one's finest headdress...
RIP, María Jiménez Gallego (3rd February 1950 – 7th September 2023)
Monday, 4 September 2023
One hundred and one pounds of fun
It's our Patron Saint of Bugle Beads, Miss Mitzi Gaynor's 92nd birthday!
All hail.
Many happy returns, Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber aka Mitzi Gaynor (born 4th September 1931)
Sunday, 3 September 2023
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