David Nice
@davidnice.bsky.social
Writer, lecturer, broadcaster, happily bestriding London and Dublin. Classical music/Opera Editor of The Arts Desk, author of seven books including Prokofiev: From Russia to the West (Yale). Running two Zoom courses, one on opera, the other on concert rep.
Pinned
David Nice
@davidnice.bsky.social
· Nov 23
Giving it a try on here after low-key interactions on Mastodon - excellent for finding out about the world, but I missed most of the musical folk I left behind on Xitter last year. Good to see some famiiar faces already.
Contemporary opera ruled the overall roost in 2025, with Mark Anthony Turnage's 'Festen' at the Royal Opera excelling on every front, but standout individuals excelled, topped by @narduswilliams.bsky.social, Hugh Cutting, Lydia Grindatto and Michael Mayes. theartsdesk.com/opera/best-2...
December 27, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Contemporary opera ruled the overall roost in 2025, with Mark Anthony Turnage's 'Festen' at the Royal Opera excelling on every front, but standout individuals excelled, topped by @narduswilliams.bsky.social, Hugh Cutting, Lydia Grindatto and Michael Mayes. theartsdesk.com/opera/best-2...
Reposted by David Nice
Ensembles and stand-out performances came first this year
in #Bestof2025: OPERA from @davidnice.bsky.social, led by FESTEN @theroyalopera.bsky.social & DEAD MAN WALKING #AlbertHerring #Partenope #ENO, @welshnatopera.bsky.social @operanorth.co.uk #Glyndebourne www.theartsdesk.com/opera/best-2...
in #Bestof2025: OPERA from @davidnice.bsky.social, led by FESTEN @theroyalopera.bsky.social & DEAD MAN WALKING #AlbertHerring #Partenope #ENO, @welshnatopera.bsky.social @operanorth.co.uk #Glyndebourne www.theartsdesk.com/opera/best-2...
December 27, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Ensembles and stand-out performances came first this year
in #Bestof2025: OPERA from @davidnice.bsky.social, led by FESTEN @theroyalopera.bsky.social & DEAD MAN WALKING #AlbertHerring #Partenope #ENO, @welshnatopera.bsky.social @operanorth.co.uk #Glyndebourne www.theartsdesk.com/opera/best-2...
in #Bestof2025: OPERA from @davidnice.bsky.social, led by FESTEN @theroyalopera.bsky.social & DEAD MAN WALKING #AlbertHerring #Partenope #ENO, @welshnatopera.bsky.social @operanorth.co.uk #Glyndebourne www.theartsdesk.com/opera/best-2...
Reposted by David Nice
Francesca Albanese, Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez : 3 femmes d'exception qui mériteraient le titre de Personne de l'Année.
We're spoilt for choice when it comes to Person of the Year - the endless courage of Greta Thunberg and Francesca Albanese have equal claim - but this is an astounding case of ongoing integrity and good.
December 26, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Francesca Albanese, Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez : 3 femmes d'exception qui mériteraient le titre de Personne de l'Année.
Happy do-over-the-person-in-the-street Xmas! Criminals akin to Israeli and Russian soldiers.
ICE detain father shopping on Christmas Eve—then steal his family's groceries.
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
December 26, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Happy do-over-the-person-in-the-street Xmas! Criminals akin to Israeli and Russian soldiers.
Yesterday's brief, selective season's greetings before I clocked off for the perfect day with friends. davidnice.blogspot.com/2025/12/augu...
Auguri da Capua e Siena
Such riches, as usual on our Italian pre-Xmas wanderings. No time to chronicle right now, but we were well served with spontaneous events in...
davidnice.blogspot.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Yesterday's brief, selective season's greetings before I clocked off for the perfect day with friends. davidnice.blogspot.com/2025/12/augu...
We're spoilt for choice when it comes to Person of the Year - the endless courage of Greta Thunberg and Francesca Albanese have equal claim - but this is an astounding case of ongoing integrity and good.
December 26, 2025 at 8:02 AM
We're spoilt for choice when it comes to Person of the Year - the endless courage of Greta Thunberg and Francesca Albanese have equal claim - but this is an astounding case of ongoing integrity and good.
Auguri da Siena! Not hanging around for Midnight Mass, but we popped in on host Sophie's Onda service and got to see inside two fine contrade churches before coming back to watch the third 'Knives Out' film. The Duomo seemed so rich after coming from the south.
December 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Auguri da Siena! Not hanging around for Midnight Mass, but we popped in on host Sophie's Onda service and got to see inside two fine contrade churches before coming back to watch the third 'Knives Out' film. The Duomo seemed so rich after coming from the south.
This is part of a chain triggered by my noting that our friend in Siena asked for 'Secret Santa presents, value 30 to 40 euros'. A totally serious riposte, alas, to the fact that last year I brought specially wrapped garlic of a very special sort from Arezzo. I assumed it was all jokey...
A friend from Sydney sent this, without knowing of our special circumstances. The perfect accompaniment to the 'Secret Santa' ceremony... www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR2Z...
You're All Getting Cheap Shit For Christmas (1957) (feat. Johnny Vante)
YouTube video by Lost Vinyl Revival - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM
This is part of a chain triggered by my noting that our friend in Siena asked for 'Secret Santa presents, value 30 to 40 euros'. A totally serious riposte, alas, to the fact that last year I brought specially wrapped garlic of a very special sort from Arezzo. I assumed it was all jokey...
C'mon, though. @eddavey.libdems.org.uk, get the hell off Xitter. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Two British anti-hate speech campaigners sanctioned by US state department – UK politics live
Imran Ahmed and Clare Melford among five Europeans hit with visa bans over claims they wish to ‘suppress American viewpoints they oppose’
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:44 AM
C'mon, though. @eddavey.libdems.org.uk, get the hell off Xitter. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by David Nice
www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
Protesting genocide shouldn’t be a death sentence.
If anyone wants to write to the hunger strikers, it's an important act of encouragement, and it's something Amnesty International should be promoting!
Protesting genocide shouldn’t be a death sentence.
If anyone wants to write to the hunger strikers, it's an important act of encouragement, and it's something Amnesty International should be promoting!
Amnesty ‘seriously concerned’ about the misuse of terrorism powers against Filton 24 members on hunger strike
We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.
www.amnesty.org.uk
December 24, 2025 at 4:59 AM
www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
Protesting genocide shouldn’t be a death sentence.
If anyone wants to write to the hunger strikers, it's an important act of encouragement, and it's something Amnesty International should be promoting!
Protesting genocide shouldn’t be a death sentence.
If anyone wants to write to the hunger strikers, it's an important act of encouragement, and it's something Amnesty International should be promoting!
Trajan's Arch in Benevento is more impressive and in better nick than I could possibly have imagined. Especially coming upon it in the dark on our trek up from the railway station.
December 23, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Trajan's Arch in Benevento is more impressive and in better nick than I could possibly have imagined. Especially coming upon it in the dark on our trek up from the railway station.
A rare bit of consumerism (bought a pair at Gatwick Airport some years back) I can be proud of. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Bolsonaro supporters ‘cancel’ Havaianas flip-flop brand over television ad
Son of jailed former Brazilian president says spokesperson for ‘national symbol’ sandals is ‘openly left wing’
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A rare bit of consumerism (bought a pair at Gatwick Airport some years back) I can be proud of. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
I included this in a YouTube 'concert' at my mother's care home last Christmas (or rather just before it). She died, suddenly and having had a very serene final year, on 30 December at the grand age of 93; no regrets. Everyone loved the fabulous Wallis Giunta's experiment on Brahms's Marian lullaby.
Wallis Giunta - Geistliches Wiegenlied (Brahms)【HD】
YouTube video by Wallis Giunta
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I included this in a YouTube 'concert' at my mother's care home last Christmas (or rather just before it). She died, suddenly and having had a very serene final year, on 30 December at the grand age of 93; no regrets. Everyone loved the fabulous Wallis Giunta's experiment on Brahms's Marian lullaby.
Damning.
🚨🚨🚨🚨
This is the letter Epstein wrote to Larry Nassar, yes the same fucker who abused the girls on the U.S. Gymnastics Team, it was uploaded & removed within hours last night.
“Our President Also Shares our love of young, nubile girls…”
This is the letter Epstein wrote to Larry Nassar, yes the same fucker who abused the girls on the U.S. Gymnastics Team, it was uploaded & removed within hours last night.
“Our President Also Shares our love of young, nubile girls…”
December 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Damning.
Reposted by David Nice
#WATCH | An Israeli lawyer exposes the torture and rape his Palestinian prisoners are suffering from
❗️ Hebrew-captions in the second post
❗️ Hebrew-captions in the second post
December 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
#WATCH | An Israeli lawyer exposes the torture and rape his Palestinian prisoners are suffering from
❗️ Hebrew-captions in the second post
❗️ Hebrew-captions in the second post
Clearly not much concern on here either.
Yes, the coverage and the government's lack of response seem nightmarishly unreal. It's as if Starmer's Zionist paymasters had told him these people's lives are worthless.
Is the government going to sit and watch while the #PalestineAction hunger strikers die? Is most of the media going to carry on ignoring them? Just how callous has the Establishment become?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
December 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Clearly not much concern on here either.
So you can be arrested for supporting imprisoned peaceful protesters who may die on hunger strike. Interesting. The government makes itself worse and more cruel daily. Excellent of Greta Thunberg to do this to heighten concern for their plight.
Greta Thunberg arrested in London over ‘Palestine Action prisoners’ placard
Two other people held on suspicion of criminal damage after protest at insurance company’s offices
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
So you can be arrested for supporting imprisoned peaceful protesters who may die on hunger strike. Interesting. The government makes itself worse and more cruel daily. Excellent of Greta Thunberg to do this to heighten concern for their plight.
Yes, the coverage and the government's lack of response seem nightmarishly unreal. It's as if Starmer's Zionist paymasters had told him these people's lives are worthless.
Is the government going to sit and watch while the #PalestineAction hunger strikers die? Is most of the media going to carry on ignoring them? Just how callous has the Establishment become?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Families of Palestine Action hunger strikers seek urgent meeting with Lammy
Justice secretary urged to ‘show a bit of humanity’ with protesters severely ill after refusing food for weeks
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Yes, the coverage and the government's lack of response seem nightmarishly unreal. It's as if Starmer's Zionist paymasters had told him these people's lives are worthless.
Ellie brings it closer to us to imagine what it must be like. But we can't until we experience it, which I hope never happens.
Ellie is one of Ukraine’s most popular foreign bloggers.
Usually highlighting the positives of life in Ukraine, in this video she describes the harsh reality of russia’s daily attacks.
Ellie calls to support our Sky Sentinel fundraiser for air defense units — join in:
u24.gov.ua/sky-sentinel...
Usually highlighting the positives of life in Ukraine, in this video she describes the harsh reality of russia’s daily attacks.
Ellie calls to support our Sky Sentinel fundraiser for air defense units — join in:
u24.gov.ua/sky-sentinel...
December 22, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Ellie brings it closer to us to imagine what it must be like. But we can't until we experience it, which I hope never happens.
Last year a Secret Santa gift for Xmas at our friend's in Siena didn't go down well - special wrapped garlic from Arezzo (on the grounds that it was a gesture, and you can't go wrong with comestibles. She got special gifts from us). Now she asks for presents 'between 30 and 40 euros'. Porca madonna!
December 22, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Last year a Secret Santa gift for Xmas at our friend's in Siena didn't go down well - special wrapped garlic from Arezzo (on the grounds that it was a gesture, and you can't go wrong with comestibles. She got special gifts from us). Now she asks for presents 'between 30 and 40 euros'. Porca madonna!
Reposted by David Nice
Quite a hike yesterday from Capua to Sant'Angelo in Formis. Built in the C11th on the site of a Roman temple to Diana Tifatina (from the mountain's name), the church has Italy's largest cycle of medieval frescoes, a mix of Byzantine and Latin styles. We were alone there. Here, apse, with sunlight.
December 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Quite a hike yesterday from Capua to Sant'Angelo in Formis. Built in the C11th on the site of a Roman temple to Diana Tifatina (from the mountain's name), the church has Italy's largest cycle of medieval frescoes, a mix of Byzantine and Latin styles. We were alone there. Here, apse, with sunlight.
Blimey, if that's not Ivanka, what more do you need? Presumably the girl can be identified and the woman asked to bear witness now.
Good night, and thank you to whoever “forgot” to redact this one!
December 21, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Blimey, if that's not Ivanka, what more do you need? Presumably the girl can be identified and the woman asked to bear witness now.
'Tenure: eight months. I've had wigs that lasted longer than that'. Don't mess with Cher, my girl.
December 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
'Tenure: eight months. I've had wigs that lasted longer than that'. Don't mess with Cher, my girl.
Reposted by David Nice
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
At last the Guardian pays due attention to the perilous state of the pro Palestine hunger strikers. When will other mainstream media pay attention to a tale of heroism unbounded?
At last the Guardian pays due attention to the perilous state of the pro Palestine hunger strikers. When will other mainstream media pay attention to a tale of heroism unbounded?
The Guardian view on the Palestine Action hunger strikers: the government is trying to ignore this protest | Editorial
Editorial: Doctors have warned that the lives of these prisoners are now in danger. Pretending this is not happening is not good enough
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
At last the Guardian pays due attention to the perilous state of the pro Palestine hunger strikers. When will other mainstream media pay attention to a tale of heroism unbounded?
At last the Guardian pays due attention to the perilous state of the pro Palestine hunger strikers. When will other mainstream media pay attention to a tale of heroism unbounded?