Paul Appleby is a smart guy. He is also performing the role of Don Ottavio in San Diego Operas Don Giovanni.

Paul went to Juilliard and then into the Metropolitan Operas young artist program. During our interview he mentioned that he doesnt like Don Ottavio to be a wimpy character. That is all well and good, but it helps to not have a wimpy voice.

There is a famous YouTube video famous among tenors at least of Jonas Kaufmann singing Un aura amorosa from Mozarts Cosi Fan Tutte. It is famous because Kaufmann is one of the leading dramatic tenors of his generation and no one associates him with Mozart at all.

Now Im not saying that some day well have the same thoughts about Paul Appleby singing Mozart but his voice definitely has a depth and richness of tone that exceeds the confines of Mozart. One thing is for sure, his Don Ottavio is no wimp when it comes to the sinigng.

We started talking about opera in general and let the opera gods guide us.

Paul Appleby: I dont know if its the artform itself or the audiences but opera is so conservative.

San Diego Reader: Ya, San Diego definitely has a conservative audience.

PA: I get the sense that there arent that many casual opera fans. I get the sense that a lot of them had a really strong experience or a strong epiphany early in their lives. When youre 13 or 14, whatever music you fall in love with at that point in your life will be with you forever. Its kind of like the first time you fall in love because its the first time nothing ever seems to match it. Because of that intense connection that opera fans have with the artform I think thats where some of the conservatism comes from. If its not the way it was when they first fell in love with opera, then they tend to not like it.

SDR: Yes, thats something Ive read about in Eckhart Tolle. He says that we as people tend to associate our ideas with who we are as a person. So we can have ideas about politics, or movies, or music, and those ideas become a part of our personality. When we come across something that pushes up against our idea of, in this case opera, we take it as an assault on our very being and our fight or flight instinct kicks in and its a strong reaction. So when someone updates our favorite opera, it feels like a personal attack.

Continued here:
Tenor Paul Appleby talks opera and the cost of living.

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Rudraksha beads are a source to reach the higher self; they are a gift to the mankind from Lord Shiva himself. Rudraksha word is derived from two words Rudra-Aksha meaning tear drop of Lord Rudra (Shiva). The electro-magnetic properties of Rudraksha beads have been scientifically proved. The healing and mystic properties of Rudraksha beads are mentioned in ancient Hindu texts and so for thousands of years Rudraksha has been use by humans for physical and spiritual well-being.

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Parad is Sanskrit word for Mercury; it is the most auspicious and pure of all metals. The properties of Parad such as it being in the liquid state and having the ability to absorb other metals in itself makes it unique. According to various ancient Hindu Vedas and Puranas, Parad has many medical, astrological and mystic properties. In Brahma Purana it is stated that any person who worships Parad Shiva Lingams on a daily basis will be blessed with all materialistic pleasures and will attain salvation (Moksha).

Parad is extensively used in Ayurveda and is very useful in meditation and concentration. Siddh Parad when prepared as per the ancient knowledge of Parad Bandhan contains miraculous properties of healing and protection. Parad helps balance the Sahasrara Chakra and thus using Parad brings peace of mind, contentment, concentration and enhances memory. Keeping Parad in homes and offices in form of Gutikas, Lingams and idols helps purify the surroundings, brings good luck and auspiciousness and helps ward away negative energies.

Parad is purified with 8 Samskaras, also known as Ashtasanskar (eight stages of purification) as mentioned in the Parad Sanmhita. Various herbs are used in purification of Parad and to make it solid and stable. This purified Parad when used in form of Shiv Lingam, Gutika (beads) or idols have great healing properties and are used to cure major ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure and heart diseases. Parad can be used as Shiv Lingams, idols, rosaries, malas, bracelets and more. Parad works best when it remains in contact with the skin.

Parad Shiv Lingams are considered as the most auspicious Shiv Lingams, more auspicious that Lingams made from Gold, Silver, Gemstones or even Narmada Lingams. Mere placing a Parad Shiv Lingams on Puja altars purifies the home and blesses the residents with health, wealth and prosperity. Parad is also a great tool for meditation; it helps in concentration and to awake the Kundalini Shakti. An awakened Kundalini Shakti leads to enlightenment, bliss and oneness with the supreme consciousness.

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Rudraksha beads, Gemstones and Rudraksha Ratna Science Therapy

Nancy Curtis first chemotherapy treatment at Spokane Valley Cancer Center was Halloween 2013. Terrified and anxious, she sat waiting for the needle, infusion of chemicals and theunknown.

Then a woman offered her an impromptu reikitreatment.

Of course I didnt have any idea what reiki was, said Curtis, 52, a Missoula high school teacher, who embraced the subtle energy work that is sometimes described as a jump start for the humanbattery.

She accepted the offer by reiki practitioner Tracy Morgan, also a cancer survivor, who gives private treatments and sessions at Spokane Valley CancerCenter.

It was

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Nancy Curtis first chemotherapy treatment at Spokane Valley Cancer Center was Halloween 2013. Terrified and anxious, she sat waiting for the needle, infusion of chemicals and theunknown.

Then a woman offered her an impromptu reikitreatment.

Of course I didnt have any idea what reiki was, said Curtis, 52, a Missoula high school teacher, who embraced the subtle energy work that is sometimes described as a jump start for the humanbattery.

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Find calm through cancer with reiki - Tue, 10 Feb 2015 PST