Characteristics of Opera

Simon Whalley, a trained organist with experience as a Musical Director, earned both his Master of Arts in Music and his Master of Studies in Musicology at Oxford University. In his private life, Simon Whalley stays culturally engaged by attending a range of opera performances. 



The word “opera” means “work” in Italian. Opera as a modern musical genre began during the Renaissance. It is essentially the presentation of a narrative relying on the interplay between words performed by the singers on stage and music performed by musicians playing below the stage in the “pit.” 

Unlike most modern performers, opera singers do not rely on microphones to carry their voices to the audience. Although many people may confuse operas with musicals, in opera, all the dialogue is sung, while in the latter, performers speak until they break into song. 



The players in an opera are usually divided between main characters, called “principals," and a couple of dozen supporting singers that comprise the “chorus.” Opera singers are classified by their voice type, as it falls along a range from highest to lowest.

When to Visit Penang, Malaysia

The past Organist and Music Director at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in New York City, Simon Whalley has held such roles as Director of Music at Keble College, Conductor of Jubilate! Chamber Choir, and Organ Scholar at Lincoln College. An avid traveler, Simon Whalley has visited such places as the Malaysian state of Penang.

Typically, Penang’s weather is always hot and humid. Annual temperatures hover around 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), but they do cool down slightly between November and January. However, these months are often the region’s busiest. Since the weather is pleasant, many tourists can enjoy sightseeing around Penang, and, thanks to the region’s many holiday festivities, crowds increase dramatically as New Year's and Christmas draw near.

Starting in February, the weather begins heating up and crowds begin diminishing. Although the temperature increases only a few degrees, the extra heat can make walking around the cities during the day difficult. However, tourists still enjoy visiting Penang between February and April because of the lack of rain. With fewer crowds and no clouds in the sky, visitors can capture some fantastic pictures of the region.

Finally, Penang’s low season for tourism lasts from May to October. Tourists stay away because of the increased rainfall. Penang experiences its monsoon season between May and October, and rainfall can be as high as 39 centimeters (15 inches) during these months. Visitors who don’t mind the wetness can often find good deals on hotels during this time.v

The Early Life of Charles Dickens

Simon Whalley earned a Master of Studies in Musicology from Oxford University. An avid reader, Simon Whalley enjoys the works of Charles Dickens.

One of England’s greatest writers, Charles Dickens was born into a family of eight children in 1812. His father was a naval clerk who dreamed of becoming rich while living beyond his means. Though his family was poor, young Dickens was able to wander free in the countryside near Chatham, where his family moved in 1816.

By 1822, his father’s finances had become dire, and the family moved to a poor neighborhood in London called Camden Town. Two years later, his father was thrown into debtor’s prison, and the Charles had to abandon his studies for a job in a boot-blacking factory near the River Thames.

Thrust into horrid working conditions at such a young age to support his family made a deep impression, and this experience would color much of his future masterpieces.

Usain Bolt's Triple Triple Gold Medal Run

A former organist and music director for New York's Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Simon Whalley achieved master's degrees in arts in music and studies in musicology from Oxford University. Aside from his love of music and conducting, Simon Whalley enjoys running to stay active. He was particularly intrigued by track and field events at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt solidified his standing as one of the most decorated Olympians of all-time in Rio by winning gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100 relay. It was his third straight triple gold performance at the Summer Olympics. 

Bolt became a household name in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, setting world records in the 100m and 200m races with respective times of 9.69 seconds and 19.30 seconds. His Jamaican relay team also set the 4x100 world record in 2008 with a time of 37.10 seconds, but Bolt has since been stripped of that medal due to teammate Nesta Carter failing a drug test in a 2017 re-analysis of samples. He won gold in the same three events four years later in London.

A Handful of Must-Try Foods for Travelers in France

 

An experienced composer, musical director, and lecturer, Simon Whalley has worked in a number of environments, from churches to universities. Also an avid traveler, Simon Whalley enjoys experiencing new cultures through their food. One of his favorite destinations, France is particularly well known for its fine cuisine.

One of the must-try foods in France is the croque-monsieur, a warm ham-and-cheese sandwich made extra decadent with bechamel sauce. Travelers can also ask for a croque-madame, which adds a fried egg to the top of the sandwich.

Duck remains one of the most popular proteins in France and is often served as confit, meaning it has been cooked in its own fat until it is extremely tender. When it is served, chefs often sear the skin so that it is crispy.

When in the south of France, seafood fans should seek out some bouillabaisse, a stew made of fresh shellfish with vegetables and potatoes.

People with a sweet tooth need to try macarons, which are crunchy cookies made by filling an almond meringue shell broken in half with either chocolate ganache or buttercream. The cookies come in many flavors, so it is worth heading to a few different bakeries to check out the local options.

The World's First Known Poet

For more than three decades, Simon Whalley has been involved in the music field. Originally serving as an organ scholar and later as Alto Lay Vicar at the Chichester Cathedral in the United Kingdom, he has since held over half a dozen music director positions in New York and Oxford. In his free time, Simon Whalley maintains a strong passion for poetry. Poetry has a long history that many believe dates back to the beginning of mankind. The earliest poet and author that the world knows by name is Enheduanna. 

The daughter of Queen Tashlultum and the Akkadian King Sargon, Enheduanna was a Sumerian/Akkadian poet who lived from 2285 to 2250 BC. Her father appointed her the high priestess of a temple in Sumer in the city of Ur. This title made her responsible for combining the Akkadian and Sumerian gods to create stability in her father’s empire. 

While serving as high priestess, she began writing poetry. Much of her poetry was written to cheer the gods and goddesses while bringing support to her father. Her writings also continued through the reign of her brother. All together, it is estimated that she wrote around 42 poems. These poems detail her response to war, her personal frustrations and hopes, and her religious devotion. Some of her most well-known works include the Exaltation of Inanna and the Goddess of the Fearsome Powers. Many of these poems served as the template for the development of more modern genres.

Volunteering at the Morris-Jumel Mansion

 



Simon Whalley, the former music director and organist at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in New York, describes himself as a “culture vulture.” Unlike many travelers who enjoy spending time at the beach or major attractions, he enjoys learning about the cultural richness of the locations he visits. During his time in New York, Simon Whalley visited numerous museums and galleries, including the Morris-Jumel Mansion.

The oldest residence in Manhattan, the Morris-Jumel Mansion seeks to provide visitors from around the world with information about the cultural history of New York City. To assist with its many tours and maintenance needs, the Mansion relies on the support of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers help with a large range of tasks, from working in the museum gift shop and helping staff with public programs to facilitating projects. Volunteers can also spend their time working at the Roger Morris Park. The park serves as the Morris-Jumel Mansion’s grounds and needs volunteers to help out once per month.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion welcomes individuals who are willing to work as volunteer docents at the Mansion. Docents provide guided tours through the house and grounds. Most tours are held on Saturdays and the first Sunday of every month; however, private tours are also available during the week. All volunteer docents must complete a general house tour training before starting their work. They must also complete sessions relating to any exhibitions in the museum and are welcome to participate in monthly workshops about changes around the Mansion.