It’s not often you can say that your friend has an opera premiere, but tonight in Tokyo is the opening night of Kenichi Nichizawa’s Manji (Quicksand), a work in three acts based on the torrid 1920’s novel by Junichiro Tanizaki. I really wish I could attend ; working in the evening means that I always miss these kinds of events – but I am still excited to be able to go there by proxy (D is attending with his partner in art crime, Yukiro (who is the composer’s other half): as a congratulations/ virtual bouquet for Kenichi and Y, I am also sending along via D a bottle of Heeley’s latest perfume – the aptly named Rose Aria.
It will be d’s first time in the big city for almost two years: such a long time since we have been out properly, but in global terms, despite the continuing rational apprehension that most people have here, the coronavirus situation in Japan is nevertheless almost absurdly, scarily good, and D and Y have now also resumed work on their ridiculous black comedy Spoiled Identity, which I can’t wait to be part of again this Saturday – so weary of being respectable and teacherly now that the term is winding to an end and I have done my work properly : now I just need some hilarity and creative madness to rewire my brain again. Bring on Christmas !
The co-conspirators were here, in fact, finally together again at the house the other day, working on ideas for the upcoming scenes. In the evening, they attended the goodbye party of a friend and part of the film’s cast in Yokohama; dressing up and selecting scent before doing so. D went surprisingly for Melagrana E Uva (pomegranate and grape) by Speziali Fiorentini – a rich, deeply fruited winter warmer that actually suits him really nicely on the rare occasions he suddenly feels like wearing it (and I can imagine that being selected again tonight, actually – perfect for walking into a theatre! ). Y apparently mooched around the collection for a while, eventually settling on Rose Aria – at first, according to D, rather disturbed; (a very fresh, clear, almost green-apple clean garden red rose opening the perfume, rosa centifolia delicately paired with a lightness of galbanum, the rose soon rasped away like the abduction of the seraglio by a paradoxically oudish saffron musk sandalwood amber: a dirty, melancholic clashing that is a peculiar counterpoint to the clarity of the beginning); initially not entirely sure, then later, apparently, gradually completely succumbing to its darker, helicat charms.
We are told this by James Heeley:
“Like music that can be measured by the vibration of audible sound waves, a perfume is often measured by its ‘sillage’, the trail of scent that the wearer leaves behind ‘en passant. The greater the sillage, the more exquisite a perfume must be’.
I agree. And this sillage, on Yukiro, if he sprays some of this luxuriant perfume on tonight, will be quite splendid I am sure as he glides swanlike down the aisles (we once went perfume shopping in Ginza together as a birthday present for Kenichi; after much ado, finally settling on Histoires De Parfums Noir Patchouli – which has now become K’s signature: I can even imagine there will be a vague aura of that aromatic delight about him tonight as he takes his bow, receiving roses at the end of the performance).
Rose doesn’t like me though – I make this smell weird, bloody,, unpretty (which actually seems to suit the subject matter of tonight’s tempestuous opera : a murderous love triangle.). I couldn’t possibly pull Rose Aria off convincingly myself even if I were able to go: in truth I don’t think I have ever really had any rose that actually suited my skin properly, that I have carried off well despite my love of the living flowers themselves. I don’t know: perhaps the original, patchouli heavy Voleur De Roses by L’Artisan Parfumeur is the closest that has ever fit the bill ( I wear Hermès Rouge and Guerlain Nahéma vintages at home for my personal pleasure but rarely step out of the house in this flower) – there isn’t really any point. I just make it sour,
It all depends on the wearer – a lighter, drier skin will definitely bring out the magnetic airiness that the fragrance possesses; let it sing; fully bring out the mezzo soprano rose note floating in the top accord of this perfume which, while somewhat foreboding, does have a strange, somewhat beguilingly haunting kind of beauty.
The Black Narcissus 
I love your posts so much. Even if you don’t think so, you have an interesting life, probably more so than at least half of your followers. And you also possess
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I definitely do think I have an interesting life: even if it is something of a triple one !
Your sentence got cut off. I would love to hear the rest of it.
beautiful post (and I am kicking myself for not going to the opera a couple of weeks ago while I had the chance. The tickets were £60 each, so it just felt way too much. But it was Glyndebourne on tour perfoming the Rakes Progress. I should have gone. Next time x)
Just had to check if it was Stravinsky, as I thought – wow, that could have been lovely. But trepidation is natural still. As I wrote, this is our first event like this in two years – but when it is someone you know who has written it…perhaps I should have skived off work and just gone. D said it was excellent.
Oh, I love opera so very much!! I‘ve been going to the opera for, what 35 years (?), and we‘ll be traveling from Cologne to Brussels to see/hear Bellini‘s „Norma“ in two week—my very favourite opera in my favourite opera house!
By the way, if I may change the topic: we have a new government in Germany and the never-ending conservative Merkel years ended today! As of now we have a centre left government with Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals. Those lead-heavy right-wingers who sabotaged each and every innovative step towards a modern society are— gone!!
I was actually going to say something about the new government – I hope things go well.
And have a fabulous time in Brussels! I am not a mad opera person myself – I think I have only been three times in my life – but I get the pull.
Do you perfume up for these events or worry about those sitting next to you?
No, I try not to go over the top! Perhaps a bit of Hermès Cardamusc? But seeing that everyone is sitting there with masks throughout the show it doesn‘t really matter!
Cardamusc – love that idea: clean as angel wings!
I was in the perfect mood to read this, Neil. Living vicariously through you and this life of yours. I bet Saturday night was a hoot!
Hi Robin. Only just seen this. Glad you liked this piece!
Oh how I miss going to the opera. The last time we went was in Barcelona, back in 2019, and we saw The Pearl Fishers. Such a glorious time. The Rose Aria sounds like a perfect scent for a premier. I am simply mad about roses, mad about them!!!! I have yet to meet a rose that did not just cast a spell upon me while wearing it.
I want to smell the best ones ( what are they ?) on you !
The best rose scents on me are vintage La Rose extrait by Rochas, Rose Absolu by Annick Goutal, Rose de Caron, Drole de Rose by L’Artisan Parfumeur, La Rose extrait by Le Galion, Nahema by Guerlain, and Paris vintage fleur de parfum by Yves Saint Laurent.
Divine!A gorgeous selection (although I have never smelled the Rochas). I love Rose De Caron and miss it. So lovely.
The Rochas is a sort of bright rose. It sparkles.
Gorgeous. You and I love Rochas in a way most people don’t seem to. I actually have Mystere on right now. I adore it.
Rochas is one of my favorite houses. Wish they were better loved, but what can one do in the face of modern tastes.
Mystere is a glorious fragrance. I really need to wear it more often.