Other books that might interest you

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  Water-Stressed Cities In India...

  PBS NewsHour

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  Half the population of India lives in areas where water resources are highly stressed. In the coastal city of Chennai, rapid economic development and a population boom have jeopardized supplies of freshwater, prompting officials to rely on desalination of the ocean. But some local residents have found a simpler and more reliable source. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.

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  Gustave Courbet and artworks

  Patrick Bade

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  Ornans, Courbet’s birthplace, is near the beautiful valley of the Doubs River, and it was here as a boy, and later as a man, that he absorbed the love of landscape.
  He was by nature a revolutionary, a man born to oppose existing order and to assert his independence; he had that quality of bluster and brutality which makes the revolutionary count in art as well as in politics. In both directions his spirit of revolt manifested itself. He went to Paris to study art, yet he did not attach himself to the studio of any of the prominent masters. Already in his country home he had had a little instruction in painting, and preferred to study the masterpieces of the Louvre. At first his pictures were not sufficiently distinctive to arouse any opposition, and were admitted to the Salon. Then followed the Funeral at Ornans, which the critics violently assailed: “A masquerade funeral, six metres long, in which there is more to laugh at than to weep over.” Indeed, the real offence of Courbet’s pictures was that they represented live flesh and blood. They depicted men and women as they really are and realistically doing the business in which they are engaged. His figures were not men and women deprived of personality and idealised into a type, posed in positions that will decorate the canvas. He advocated painting things as they are, and proclaimed that la vérité vraie must be the aim of the artist. So at the Universal Exposition of 1855 he withdrew his pictures from the exhibition grounds and set them in a wooden booth, just outside the entrance. Over the booth he posted a sign with large lettering. It read, simply: “Courbet – Realist.” Like every revolutionary, he was an extremist. He ignored the fact that to every artist the truth of nature appears under a different guise according to his way of seeing and experiencing. Instead, he adhered to the notion that art is only a copying of nature and not a matter also of selection and arrangement. In his contempt for prettiness Courbet often chose subjects which may fairly be called ugly. But that he also had a sense of beauty may be seen in his landscapes. That sense, mingled with his capacity for deep emotion, appears in his marines – these last being his most impressive work. Moreover, in all his works, whether attractive or not to the observer, he proved himself a powerful painter, painting in a broad, free manner, with a fine feeling for colour, and with a firmness of pigment that made all his representations very real and stirring.

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  Nature’s Symphony of Immersive &...

  Cedar Skye

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  Discover the ultimate source of relaxation and tranquility with "Nature’s Symphony of Immersive & Relaxing Singing of Birds by the River’s Edge for Stress Relief & Sound Sleep." This unique audiobook offers a serene blend of nature sounds and birdsongs designed to enhance your wellness and relieve stress. 
  Immerse yourself in the calming ambiance of nature sounds specifically curated for restful nights and meditation. The 8D audio technology creates a deeply immersive experience, perfect for those seeking a peaceful and soothing escape from the daily hustle. 
  Transform your space into a haven of relaxation with gentle, melodious bird calls by the river’s edge. This is ideal for enhancing your meditation practice, improving sleep quality, or simply enjoying a moment of calm amidst a busy day. 
  Let the harmonious and tranquil sounds guide you to a place of inner peace. Whether you want to unwind after a long day or create a zen atmosphere for meditation, this audiobook is your go-to resource for relaxation and serenity. 
  Elevate your well-being and enjoy the benefits of natural soundscapes with this soothing collection. It is perfect for anyone seeking to enhance their stress relief routine or improve their sleep quality.

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  The Noel Coward Collection

  Noël Coward

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  Six phenomenally sophisticated Noël Coward comedies:Fallen Angels: Julia and Fred and Willy and Jane are happily married and the best of friends, until a postcard arrives with news of the imminent arrival of a certain handsome Frenchman.Gay, debonair, and utterly sophisticated. Performed by: Annette Bening, Harriet Harris, Judith Ivey, Joe Mantegna, John Rubinstein and Kristoffer Tabori.Hay Fever: A country house weekend goes haywire when the guests and their hosts play a game of romantic musical chairs. This witty masterpiece is filled with Coward’s biting commentary on his own profession. Performed by: Tate Donovan, Arabella Field, Joy Gregory, Jeffrey Jones, Lynne Marta, Serena Scott Thomas, Carolyn Seymour, Eric Stoltz and Simon Templeman.Private Lives: On the French Rivera, the lights of a yacht are reflected in the water and in the eyes of four hilariously mismatched lovers. Perhaps Coward’s greatest comedy, Private Lives shimmers with romance, desire and bittersweet truth. Performed by: Rosalind Ayres, Marnie Mosiman, Ian Ogilvy, Begonya Piazza and Kristoffer Tabori.Design For Living: Three terminally stylish friends attempt to uncoil their twisted love triangle in this sexy and scandalous gem. Written in 1932, the play was deemed extremely daring, and is controversial even by today’s standards. Performed by: Michelle Arthur, Claire Forlani, Thomas Hildreth, Tim Morrison, Sarah Rafferty, Douglas Weston and Hamish Linklater.Present Laughter: Stage star Garry Essendine struggles to plan his trip to Africa while his flat is invaded by a love struck ingénue, an adulterous producer, a married seductress, Garry’s estranged wife Liz and an aspiring playwright who is quite, quite mad. Performed by: Gregory Cooke, Arthur Hanket, Jon Matthews, Ian Oglivy, Siri O’Neal, Christina Pickles, Carolyn Seymour and Yeardley Smith.Blithe Spirit: A convivial evening party among friends is transformed when a séance conjures the ghost of Elvira, the host’s first wife, who delights in wreaking havoc among the living. An absolutely enchanting Coward comedy. Performed by: Rosalind Ayres, Alexandra Boyd, Judy Geeson, Shirley Knight, Lynne Marta, Christopher Neame and Ian Ogilvy.Exclusive bonus material: Two rarely-performed shorts by Noël Coward, “Design for Rehearsing” (performed by Michael Gladis, Matthew Wolf and Sarah Zimmerman) and “Age Cannot Wither” (performed by Juliet Mills, Susan Sullivan and JoBeth Williams), as well as two conversations on Coward with Barry Day (Noel Coward Foundation) and John Lahr (The New Yorker).

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  The Creative Path - A View from...

  Carolyn Schlam

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  The Creative Path is an inquiry into the creative process from philosophical, psychological, spiritual, and practical points of view. In this welcoming work on the creative process, Carolyn Schlam encourages the listener to embark upon his or her own journey of discovery, identity, and wonder through art. The author started her career in art under the tutelage of master teacher Norman Raeben in the Carnegie Hall Studios in New York. Raeben's students included Bob Dylan, who said of him: "He put my mind and my hand and my eye together, in a way that allowed me to do consciously what I unconsciously felt." Chapters discuss the meaning of inspiration, intention, talent, authenticity, and many other aspects of art creation. Included in The Creative Path are: six lectures by Norman Raeben with commentary by the author; exercises designed to strengthen listeners' creative muscles; analysis of aesthetic criteria; reflections on the artist's role in society; and a discussion of the mindset required to make art a life path. A celebration of creativity, this inspirational book examines why we make art. Though it makes primary reference to visual art, The Creative Path will resonate with all creative practitioners, whatever their chosen discipline.

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  Teaching Voice: Workshops for...

  Max Hafler

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  An inspiring, practical guide to working with young people on their voices, by a highly experienced teacher, actor and director.
  Teaching Voice is for all youth-theatre leaders, workshop facilitators, teachers or lecturers who want to help their students to develop their voices – either as a component in theatre training, while rehearsing a play, or for the benefit of their personal development.
  It offers a step-by-step course of workshops and themed sessions, along with a series of exercises and vocal warm-ups – from the tried-and-tested to the truly innovative. Included are:
  
  
  - Full plans for two ninety-minute core sessions, laying the essential foundations of voice work: breath, diction, resonance and relaxation
  - Seven themed workshops exploring individual aspects including projection, rhythm, the power of language, emphasis and Shakespeare
  - Micro sessions that can be used within the structure of any session, or when time is short
  - Further sessions to help incorporate voice work into rehearsals for a school or youth-theatre production
  Also included is a personal exercise plan to help you develop your own skills and confidence as a voice teacher, whatever your level of experience.
  Teaching Voice is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in vocal training for young people, whether you're looking for a structured programme of workshops, or simply for some fresh ideas to inspire your students.

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