The operatic world gets terribly excited when a singer emerges who is both musically exceptional and highly attractive. Such prodigies are few and far between, but Danielle de Niele is the latest glammed-up soprano on the block, following in the footsteps of operatic beauties from the great Maria Callas to the Welsh mezzo warbler Katherine Jenkins. Luckily, the 31-year-old does have substantial talent to back up the image, even if this collection of arias by Mozart and Handel (many already featured on her two previous albums) fails to excite. De Niele, who grew up in Australia and America, is of Sri Lankan, Dutch and Scottish descent, and she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera at just 19, so she is clearly not short of the sort of drive necessary in the competitive arena of opera. And unlike Jenkins, De Niele has proved her stamina and acting skill on the operatic stage (and on film, when she appeared in Hannibal with Anthony Hopkins) and continues to do so, having received rave reviews for her performance as Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne. As for this album: well, the Handel and Mozart numbers are very good, the Karl Jenkins reboot of Palladio as Exsultate, Jubilate is horrendous and the new "arias" by James Morgan and Juliette Pochin, based on old works, are tolerable. Her emotional range does not quite reach the depths necessary for Mozart's Laudate Dominum - perhaps with time, her voice will grow richer in the lower register - but that she is a talent worth watching remains undisputable.
Liszt: 12 Etudes d'Execution Transcendante
Alice Sara Ott (piano)
(Deutsche Grammophon)
The young German-Japanese pianist's second CD takes on some fiendishly difficult works - both technically and musically - by Liszt and wins: her agile fingers, skillful and restrained, control of the instrument's dynamics and the delicate clarity of the many-layered musical lines are supreme.
Great Strauss Scenes
Christine Brewer (soprano), Eric Owens (baritone), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Donald Runnicles
(Telarc)
Salome and Elektra, two of the greatest operatic dramas of Richard Strauss, offer up memorable tunes and lush orchestration, and here the American soprano Christine Brewer gets through two great scenes from each, and one from Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman Without A Shadow).
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Company%20Profile
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Company%20Profile
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
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