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Chemistry of the Heart

by Debbie G.

Emilie Selden has been taught all the sciences by her reclusive, brilliant father on their estate in England but she is unprepared for her first encounter with love. A secret courtship, a loveless marriage and tragedy teach her more about life and loss than she can bear so she heads back to Selden Manor to rediscover her past and a new purpose in life. The Alchemist's Daughter by Katharine McMahon is a fine blending of historical fiction and science -- one of the most popular books on cd at the Library.

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Caruso and the earthquake

by sstonez

One night Enrico Caruso was serenading San Francisco opera lovers in Bizet’s Carmen, the next night the city was in flames after the massive 1906 earthquake. The earthquake and fire destroyed the opera house and Caruso never sang in San Francisco again. Read more about the earthquake, and see a picture of Caruso in costume for Carmen, at National Public Radio’s website. You can borrow a recording of Caruso singing “La fleur que tu m’avais jetée” from Carmen from the library to get a feel for the magic of that night. Or if you’re heading out San Francisco way, Carmen is once again in the SF Opera’s 2006-7 repertoire.

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Name the genre of music…

by jillean

...that includes Bebop, Latin, Smooth, Acid, Swing and Fusion?

That’s right, Jazz! April is Jazz Appreciation Month. Designated by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, JAM celebrates the rich tradition of Jazz and its influence on American history and culture. A celebration would not be complete without celebrating some of today’s Jazz artists. If you’re looking for a new sound to discover, here is a list of some of Amazon.com’s Top Sellers:

Michael BubleIt’s Time
Thelonious MonkThelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall
Cassandra Wilson – Thunderbird
Madeleine PeyrouxCareless Love
Chris BottiTo Love Again

For more familiar favorites, the library has a host of Jazz greats to choose from like:Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Paul Whiteman

Ever play in a Jazz band? What instrument did you play?

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Court Call Clears the Code

by Debbie G.

Now that Britain’s High Court has ruled that Dan Brown did not steal the idea for The Da Vinci Code from an earlier book, you can listen to this top-notch thriller without remorse. The movie version opens May 19th and there’s so much going on in this story that listening ahead will help not hurt your movie-going experience. Besides, that way you can walk out of the theatre saying, “it simply doesn’t live up to the book!”

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Narnia for Grownups

by Debbie G.

Long before C.S. Lewis introduced us to Aslan, he created Screwtape, a veteran demon in the service of “Our Father Below.” Hoping to instruct his demon-in-training nephew, Wormwood, on the finer points of leading Christians astray, he writes The Screwtape Letters. Lewis satirizes human nature deftly but humanely, the religions humans build to express their beliefs, and the plight of those that would undermine both.

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The Play Ground

by Albert

"Willow, titwillow, titwillow" You may be hearing this outside your window as Spring is most definitely here. You can also hear it on April 6-9 at the Michigan League when The University of Michigan Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents one of Gilbert & Sullivan's most beloved operas "The Mikado." With an outstanding cast of old favorites and some new faces, one of UMGASS's most elaborate sets ever, and the most gorgeous silk costumes imaginable, it is sure to be an event you won't want to miss.

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Happy Birthday, Eric Clapton

by Maxine

Hard to believe but Eric Clapton turns 61 on March 30. Known for his time with Cream and his virtuoso guitar playing, Clapton's latest cd is titled Back Home. Featuring five original songs co-written with Simon Climie, the cd also includes songs by harrison">George Harrison, The Spinners and Vince Gill. Special guests appearing on Back Home are Steve Winwood on synthesizer and John Mayer on guitar. Clapton says of this album: "It's about coming home and staying home."

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Buck Owens: 1929-2006

by JELong

What country star had a hit record that was later done by the Beatles? Buck Owens. What country star had more than 20 number one hits in the 1960s and 70s? Buck Owens. What rebellious country star played a mean red, white and blue guitar and helped popularize the famous rock 'n roll-tinged, anti-Nashville Bakersfield sound?

You got it.

And you thought he was just that goofy-looking guy who co-hosted "Hee Haw" for twenty years. Check out The Buck Owens Collection or the Buck Owens article on wikipedia.

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Shakespeare To Go

by Debbie G.

The 2006 Stratford Festival of Canada season is fast approaching. This year’s Festival selections from the Bard include Coriolanus, King Henry IV Part One, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night.

Need a little brush-up on the Bard? Shakespeare—the Word and the Action, a lecture series from the Teaching Company, will let you expound with the best of them during intermissions in the garden. Dazzle them at the pre-play lectures after listening to The Age of Shakespeare and Will in the World.

BTW, our favorite Stratford leading man, Colm Feore, (be still my heart), stars in Coriolanus as well as Oliver!, and Don Juan.

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The Play Ground

by Albert

Several years ago The Play Ground was privileged to see Ewa Podles when she stepped in for Cecilia Bartoli who was ill. She was marvelous and since then, her reputation has soared. The University Musical Society is lucky to have her back, this time performing in Rossini's Tancredi with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, March 25 at Hill Auditorium. This opera, based on a play by Voltaire, tells the story of a banished 11th C knight who secretly returns to his homeland only to discover that his king is now allied with his archenemy.