??Spain has been fortunate for British artist, author and composer Dario Poli, known to his contemporaries as the “Renaissance man.” For it was here that he found the inspiration to originate and produce one of his finest musical achievements “Lady X and The Power of Destiny” in a creative collaboration with Puerto Banus’s living legend Patrick Lloyd Hulme.

The musical drama, originally composed as a celebration of England’s favourite princess, based on the late Diana Princess of Wales. For the composers  it became a long mystical and spiritual journey, an exploration of Diana’s enigmatic character, her emotions, her motivations, and her fascination with the phenomenon of love. Their meticulous research into every facet of her life has resulted in a work, which has great profundity and truth to life, while acknowledging the gaiety and brilliance of a beautiful, if flawed aristocrat.

The project tells of Diana’s rise and fall, her golden yet tragic plight, in a sensitive and heartfelt piece of work that will stand the test of time, much as the light of her life will transcend the generations. Two men started a project, inspired by the muse, a project that tragically turned into a mission for the truth – to capture the innocence of her life and a light that was lost but never to be forgotten.
It was first registered in Marbella with S.G.A.E before her death; a tragedy, which galvanized the composers into re-writing almost the entire work and then re-registering the work in Malaga. The financial backers brought in by Dario, were fascinated by the quality of the music and story line, supported the composers enthusiasm and ideas, and the work was then legally constituted in Holland and Ireland.

With this funding the two men approached one of Britain’s leading musical professionals, the renowned musical director – David Redston – who, after studiously appraising their story, agreed to work with them on the project and conducted the orchestra and directed the numerous superb vocalists on the recording.

The musical drama was recorded by a symphony orchestra, opera singers and  including some singers from Riverdance at the famed Westland Studio Dublin.  These complex recordings and rehearsals, were directed by David Redston  following intensive rehearsals at RTE studios Dublin. It was produced by Richard Pine on the 11 September 2000, with Dario and Patrick in close attendance as advisors overseeing the work. It was engineered by Bob Somerville and was later mixed by David Redston and Bob Sommerville. Richard Pine: http://www.durrell-school-corfu.org/pine.htm

It is a powerful and imaginative, two-act fictional musical drama of a total 2 hrs 45 minutes duration, specifically produced by its creators, to explore the tumultuous life of Lady X, a beautiful aristocrat and her entangled loves. Drawing into focus the esoteric factor X, the irresistible power of destiny and its mysterious design, that inexorably acts throughout her life.

The drama intricately woven around her, expresses a gamut of emotions, containing a haunting sense of tragic premonition, which unfolds, as the complexity of her life and charisma is explored and skilfully brought to life, by the innovative story; the sensitive and incisive power of the music, words and musical arrangements.

The musical effect simply carries the songs from the hearts and minds of Dario Poli and Patrick Lloyd Hulme, into the heart and soul of the listener. The result of the collaboration between Dario and Patrick, David Redston, the orchestra and the vocalists is truly mesmerizing and can confidently be described as ‘touching and very beautiful’

Richard Pine wrote “…. the recording demonstrates…its emotional appeal, the immediate catchiness of its rhythms and lyrics,and the richness of the orchestral texture.” … “The jewel at the heart of the musical remains that what it had been from the outset, …a celebration of her life, beauty and demeanour.”

He continued on the CD cover of Diana  – “ The musical differs from other productions in its truth to life, its deep appreciation of the circumstances which combined to bring the aristocratic girl, Lady Diana Spencer, to the point where she became Diana, Princess of Wales, and beyond it to the divorce court, to disillusion and death. The unique selling proposition of the composers is its powerful combination of singable tunes and a haunting sense of premonition.

Dario wrote; the moral of their story is simply that, “what we say and do to other people effects and shapes their lives, whether for good or bad. Therefore, each individual has his or her own personal responsibility to manage their actions towards others”. This becomes very clear in the final moments of the Opera.

Marbella, Costa del Sol in Spain is seen as one of the most popular tourism hotspots in the world, however, there is ‘much more than a wonderful climate, glamour, luxury and famous parties. This is the reason why The Best of Marbella is only featuring and promoting the most beautiful and positive aspects of Marbella – and there are many!

This article is inspired by the two original articles from:
Marbella Marbella: Dario Poli:
World Conference on Climate Change and Wine and
Kofi Annan addresses the world

Photo copyright:
Paul Wilcockson, LMPA, Event Photographer,
www.weddingsandportraits.eu
www.bodasyretratos.com

Over 800 participants attended the recent talk by Kofi Annan at The 3rd World Conference on Climate Change and Wine from 13-14 April in The Palacio de Congreso in Marbella. Marbella was the  chosen venue by the Wine Academy of Spain to present the largest and widest selection of fine wines with an inspiring collection of speakers on the subject of climate change in the business of winemaking.

Pancho Campo MW, Kofi Annan and the mayoress of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz

Since the end of his secretary post in the United Nations in 2006, Kofi Annan has been devoted to the protection and development of social causes all over the world. The former Secretary-General has been championing the importance of economic, social and environmental sustainability throughout his career at the United Nations. He believes this is the key to “reduce the environmental impact for future generations”.

The climate change challenge was the main focus of Mr. Annan’s speech on the first day of the III World Congress on Climate Change and Wine. Mr Annan’s conference was titled “The Global Compact: A challenge in the business word to become leaders in sustainable development” (13th of April. 18.00 h.) and was introduced by Pancho Campo MW.

The conference was directed to the Business community on the Coast and focuses on the importance of adapting to sustainable measures in order to deal with climate change. The conference was open to businessmen and the general public. After the conference there wias a 30 minute session of questions and answers with the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize winner. On the evening of April 13th, Kofi Annan and his wife joined the mayoress of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz and attended the official dinner, that took  place in La Cabane, Hotel Los Monteros. This dinner wias held in aid of the charity Vicente Ferrer Foundation.

Last November in a climate change conference in Switzerland, Mr Annan explained the impact of this phenomenon in sectors where high irrigation is needed, such as agriculture or farming: “The gradual increase in temperature is producing in increase in the seawater. This causes more floods and less frost”, which is crucial for the growth of some grape varieties. In this speech, the Secretary-General will reiterate the responsibility of businesses and individuals to address environmental challenges; undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; protect human rights; and encourage the development and transfer of environmentally-sustainable technologies.

 Jose Luis Hernandez
Concejal de Turismo Ayuntamiento de Marbella
(Marbella Town Hall and Marbella Exclusive)
with the new Director of the Best of Marbella
Beatriz Dominguez Prieto

Originally from France, Richard Méric (aka RIC) is an unconventional self-taught artist and traveler, with an academic background in Philosophy. Before he started painting, he traveled for many years through the European continent, and went twice to India overland.

In 1979, he decides to settle down, and while living in the country side in south of France, he produced numerous oil paintings, such as the astonishing triptych entitled “The gardens of memory” conceived from 1979 to 1983, incontestably his closest homage to H.Bosch, the famous Dutch painter.

The Gardens of Memory by Richard Meric

Among other, he conceives his own Tarot cards, based on his Alchemy studies: he painted the 21 major arcane with oil on canvas. He’s actually completing the his Tarot desk, conceiving the cards on computer.

His original creations, combining Surrealism and Hyper-realism, are mainly inspired by esoteric traditions and symbolism, but, aside from any intellectual approach, he mostly hope to communicate to his human fellows positive feelings, as well as his love for beauty and harmony.

Ric describes his work as a modern painting using a classical technique, inspired by Breuguel, H.Bosch, M.C Escher and Salvador Dalí.

During 8 years, he paints without showing his work, leading a life which allows him to dedicate most of his time to painting. Richard Méric has done very few exhibitions, although most of his paintings have been sold to private collectors.

Most of his paintings has been digitally treated and can be reproduced at any size, as Giclées edition.

This incredible artist is seeking a new agent, so if you are interested in representing him, just contact him through his website .

LINKS:
Richard Méric’s Biography
Paintings | Drawings

“Permanance du Bien et du Mal” (AGLOU IV) tryptique 260 x 130 cm. | 1985/86 | Oil on canvas