Ruth Elleson
@ruthelleson.bsky.social
Church/choral musician (alto), massive opera nerd, surtitle operator, and project planner working in public transport. Idiots not tolerated. She/her.
Deeply confused by tonight’s Stalls seating layout in the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre, where my seat in row H is immediately behind row F and in front of row K (and has no easily-visible label to tell you it’s H…)
Here for the Royal Ballet In Rehearsal insight event, on The Nutcracker.
Here for the Royal Ballet In Rehearsal insight event, on The Nutcracker.
November 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Deeply confused by tonight’s Stalls seating layout in the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre, where my seat in row H is immediately behind row F and in front of row K (and has no easily-visible label to tell you it’s H…)
Here for the Royal Ballet In Rehearsal insight event, on The Nutcracker.
Here for the Royal Ballet In Rehearsal insight event, on The Nutcracker.
I’ve lurked a lot on Instagram in the last few months, because some of my favourite people ended up mostly there when Twitter went downhill. But why does it think I want to see such an overwhelming volume of a) pregnancy and birth content, and (b) tours of aspirational NYC apartments? 🤔🤷🏻♀️
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I’ve lurked a lot on Instagram in the last few months, because some of my favourite people ended up mostly there when Twitter went downhill. But why does it think I want to see such an overwhelming volume of a) pregnancy and birth content, and (b) tours of aspirational NYC apartments? 🤔🤷🏻♀️
I hate diary juggling 🤯 - not that I don’t like mapping out plans for the future (an activity that suits me so well that it’s literally my job) but there are always too many things I want to do, and too many clashes, and it’s always contrary to my burning desire to be a recluse 🤣
November 12, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I hate diary juggling 🤯 - not that I don’t like mapping out plans for the future (an activity that suits me so well that it’s literally my job) but there are always too many things I want to do, and too many clashes, and it’s always contrary to my burning desire to be a recluse 🤣
Join us at @stolavehartst.bsky.social this afternoon for Choral Evensong on a Remembrance theme.
Did I dep out Sunday’s service, when they were doing most of the rest of the Fauré Requiem which barely has an alto line, but hang onto this one because we’re doing the Offertorio? No comment 🤐
Did I dep out Sunday’s service, when they were doing most of the rest of the Fauré Requiem which barely has an alto line, but hang onto this one because we’re doing the Offertorio? No comment 🤐
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Join us at @stolavehartst.bsky.social this afternoon for Choral Evensong on a Remembrance theme.
Did I dep out Sunday’s service, when they were doing most of the rest of the Fauré Requiem which barely has an alto line, but hang onto this one because we’re doing the Offertorio? No comment 🤐
Did I dep out Sunday’s service, when they were doing most of the rest of the Fauré Requiem which barely has an alto line, but hang onto this one because we’re doing the Offertorio? No comment 🤐
Tonight’s Lidl pasta. My Italian is not the best, but I think they meant “ripieni”…
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Tonight’s Lidl pasta. My Italian is not the best, but I think they meant “ripieni”…
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
Mega-niche programming shout-out: early Baroque-ish Christmassy things for not more than SSATB (or SSATTB at a pinch) plus instruments (quartet) which involve, or /could/ involve recorders? I have the Messe de Minuit, obviously...
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Mega-niche programming shout-out: early Baroque-ish Christmassy things for not more than SSATB (or SSATTB at a pinch) plus instruments (quartet) which involve, or /could/ involve recorders? I have the Messe de Minuit, obviously...
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Planning next year’s summer opera festival dates with my friends.
There’s a spreadsheet…
If anyone has any gen on dates there’s going to be an opera at the Proms so we don’t get double-booked, please tell me… (I don’t need details - not asking for embargoed secrets - just “keep this date free”).
There’s a spreadsheet…
If anyone has any gen on dates there’s going to be an opera at the Proms so we don’t get double-booked, please tell me… (I don’t need details - not asking for embargoed secrets - just “keep this date free”).
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Planning next year’s summer opera festival dates with my friends.
There’s a spreadsheet…
If anyone has any gen on dates there’s going to be an opera at the Proms so we don’t get double-booked, please tell me… (I don’t need details - not asking for embargoed secrets - just “keep this date free”).
There’s a spreadsheet…
If anyone has any gen on dates there’s going to be an opera at the Proms so we don’t get double-booked, please tell me… (I don’t need details - not asking for embargoed secrets - just “keep this date free”).
A foggy Remembrance Sunday morning on the shuttle train from Slough to Windsor. You’ll have to take my word for the fact that you can usually see Windsor Castle at this point…
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 AM
A foggy Remembrance Sunday morning on the shuttle train from Slough to Windsor. You’ll have to take my word for the fact that you can usually see Windsor Castle at this point…
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
The government says it wants to achieve growth but then it doesn't want immigrants, doesn't want to electrify the railways, and doesn't want high-speed trains. It's like me saying I want to lose weight and then eating a full English every day for breakfast.
November 8, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The government says it wants to achieve growth but then it doesn't want immigrants, doesn't want to electrify the railways, and doesn't want high-speed trains. It's like me saying I want to lose weight and then eating a full English every day for breakfast.
In case this is useful to anyone who may not otherwise have seen it…
November 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
In case this is useful to anyone who may not otherwise have seen it…
I’m off to the Guildhall to see their Smyth/Respighi opera double bill, and I see they’ve broken with recent frustrating convention among the London conservatoires by letting their students’ programme bios give away details of next term’s opera. Which is Owen Wingrave.
November 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I’m off to the Guildhall to see their Smyth/Respighi opera double bill, and I see they’ve broken with recent frustrating convention among the London conservatoires by letting their students’ programme bios give away details of next term’s opera. Which is Owen Wingrave.
When will I learn to check bridge lift times before trying to take a bus over Tower Bridge?
November 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
When will I learn to check bridge lift times before trying to take a bus over Tower Bridge?
Had the most fabulous Turkish meal at this restaurant just off Upper Street (London N1) last night with some people from work. It even got our Turkish colleague’s seal of approval.
Kilis – Charcoal & Cocktails
www.kilis.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Had the most fabulous Turkish meal at this restaurant just off Upper Street (London N1) last night with some people from work. It even got our Turkish colleague’s seal of approval.
I’ve just been booked for a carol singing gig on 17th November. Is this, recording sessions aside, a record?
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I’ve just been booked for a carol singing gig on 17th November. Is this, recording sessions aside, a record?
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
Perfect summation of the UK Labour Party right there, any opportunity to learn something they will instead stick their fingers in their ears and go "la la la"
November 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Perfect summation of the UK Labour Party right there, any opportunity to learn something they will instead stick their fingers in their ears and go "la la la"
I wonder when @operahollandpark.bsky.social will be announcing casting for next season 🤔 - I think all the other summer opera companies have.
November 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM
I wonder when @operahollandpark.bsky.social will be announcing casting for next season 🤔 - I think all the other summer opera companies have.
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
Every one of you thought of a specific person after reading this
November 4, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Every one of you thought of a specific person after reading this
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
okay does this include the press?
Activists could be jailed for six months for protesting outside MPs’ homes
Activists could be jailed for six months for protesting outside MPs’ homes
Law aimed at tackling harassment will criminalise protests outside homes of MPs in England and Wales amid rise in complaints
Activists could be jailed for up to six months for protesting outside MPs’ homes in England and Wales under a new law aimed at tackling harassment of politicians after a surge of intimidation complaints.
The law would criminalise protests outside the homes of MPs, peers and councillors as well as others who have stood for public office – and is likely to draw further criticism that the government is squeezing the right to protest. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
okay does this include the press?
If anyone fancies having a listen to the mostly-Orlando-Gibbons concert I sang in just over a week ago, it’s currently on YouTube courtesy of the venue’s standard church streaming setup.
Intro begins at 00:03:30, music begins at 00:09:00, and it resumes after the interval at about 00:59:45.
Intro begins at 00:03:30, music begins at 00:09:00, and it resumes after the interval at about 00:59:45.
11Gibbons&1Deer
YouTube video by AllSaintsCrondall
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:44 PM
If anyone fancies having a listen to the mostly-Orlando-Gibbons concert I sang in just over a week ago, it’s currently on YouTube courtesy of the venue’s standard church streaming setup.
Intro begins at 00:03:30, music begins at 00:09:00, and it resumes after the interval at about 00:59:45.
Intro begins at 00:03:30, music begins at 00:09:00, and it resumes after the interval at about 00:59:45.
This is FAR from the most obstructively I’ve found a dockless bike parked outside my front door, but come ON, I know you’re an idiot but seriously?
November 3, 2025 at 9:25 PM
This is FAR from the most obstructively I’ve found a dockless bike parked outside my front door, but come ON, I know you’re an idiot but seriously?
I am having a quiet night in after a hectic weekend, and was so averse to the idea of doing the housework that I decided to do my tax return instead 🤣
November 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I am having a quiet night in after a hectic weekend, and was so averse to the idea of doing the housework that I decided to do my tax return instead 🤣
@stolavehartst.bsky.social Hello! Delighted to see you over here - that’s one more account I no longer need to be on Twitter for…
November 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
@stolavehartst.bsky.social Hello! Delighted to see you over here - that’s one more account I no longer need to be on Twitter for…
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
As we read about Sodom in this week's Torah portion, a brief reminder that according to Jewish tradition the sin of Sodom had nothing to do with sexuality, it was that they criminalized helping the poor and the visitor.
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 2, 2025 at 10:12 PM
As we read about Sodom in this week's Torah portion, a brief reminder that according to Jewish tradition the sin of Sodom had nothing to do with sexuality, it was that they criminalized helping the poor and the visitor.
Reposted by Ruth Elleson
Most contemporary operas fail not because of the music but because of dramatically limp librettos. But Dead Man Walking is a theatrical + musical triumph: total commitment by the ENO company. Jake Heggie does tremendous work with Terrence McNally’s first-rate libretto. Taut and terrific. Go!
November 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Most contemporary operas fail not because of the music but because of dramatically limp librettos. But Dead Man Walking is a theatrical + musical triumph: total commitment by the ENO company. Jake Heggie does tremendous work with Terrence McNally’s first-rate libretto. Taut and terrific. Go!