Summer is officially here. Am I the only one who finds it strange that the longest day of the year - yesterday - should be the official first day of summer? I celebrated the occasion in a very restrained way buying half a flat of strawberries and some rhubarb from the Farmers' Market and making pies. Mmmmm. Pie!

I had so many things I wanted to do this weekend and ended up doing almost none of them. I had planned on attending the Opera Theater Oregon's DADA production on Sunday evening but couldn't. My friend Scott Kritzer had a concert which conflicted with OTO so I obviously didn't get to that either. I am currently having to deal with some domestic issues which are sapping the energy I would normally expend on such fun happenings. Oh, well.

I did attend one wonderful event on Saturday and that was the wedding of Portland Opera's very own Bonnie Hildebrand. You probably don't know it but Bonnie is directly responsible for your being able to read my posts here every week. She does the techno-grunt work of uploading my deathless prose, pictures and videos in a form that makes them readable. And she does it all with admirable patience, good humour and savvy. And for all that she has my utmost respect and gratitude. So when she invited me to her wedding I was delighted to grab my digital camera and go to Ladd's Addition on Saturday afternoon. Bonnie and her husband Pete are biking fanatics so had timed their nuptials to coincide with this year's Pedalpalooza. Many of the guests arrived on their bicycles (I did not but Holly and Elizabeth did) and it made for an unusual and delightful event. After the ceremony we adjourned to a nearby park where there was food and wine - and bike jousting! It was great fun and also provided the opportunity for me to say 'hi' to some old friends I had not seen for a while. Thank you, Bonnie! That's her above in the usual cyclists wedding trousseau - tiara, veil and crash hat.

This being the off-season for many opera companies there is not much to report in the way of gossip and happenings. There are a number of splendid summer opera festivals of course including Santa Fe Opera. Brendan Tuohy, until recently a member of the Portland Opera Studio Artists, is spending the summer there singing in the chorus, covering roles and performing in a special event. I shall be watching out for his appearances and will report to you anything of note.

If tonight you watch the Sundance Channel on your now all-digital television you will be able to see Spectacle: Elvis Costello with Renée Fleming. In the usual grovelling manner of hosts Costello refers to The Voice as "the premier American classical soprano of our time". Hmm. I guess that depends on how you define "our time".

Perhaps the most important current opera concern is the New York City Opera. Owing to matters of what to an outsider would appear to be gross mismanagement this wonderful organisation could be on the threshold of extinction. After spending most of its endowment and having remained dark for an entire season the company is due to open a much-reduced season in September. Whether that happens may well depend on contract negotiations being held today between NYCO and the American Guild of Musical Artists, the singers and chorus members' union. NYCO recently reached agreement with the Musicians' Union but this round of talks may turn out to be even more problematic. The company wants to shrink the number of weeks that a singer is guaranteed work by 25% and AGMA has made it clear it will not agree to that. It is of vital concern to all of us, management, singers and audience that they find some accommodation and a way to ensure the continued existence and improved financial health of this wonderful company. I also believe it is important that there be an opera company in New York other than the Met. Competition is good for all of us, don't you think?

Some years ago I was fortunate enough to dine on some occasions at the house in San Francisco of philanthropists and opera lovers Gordon and Ann Getty. Another frequent guest was Frederica von Stade (Flicka to her friends from a very young age). Ms von Stade is one of the great mezzos of the last 30 years. She is also a beautiful and charming lady. And we share birthdays! Here she is in Rusalka.

Don't you really like that immediately the applause begins she turns to thank the harpiste? Very gracious.

Have a great week.