Die Zeit, die ist ein sonderbar' Ding – RnR’s First Anniversary

Today marks the one-year anniversary of my very first post on this blog. Back then, I wondered how long it would last. The blog has evolved some over the past year. I think it looks better, and reads smoother. But best of all, people are reading it. Thanks to all of you who keep coming back, and especially to those of you who take the time to comment and engage in conversation. I've made a lot of virtual friends in the past year and I've learned a lot. 

I have always been an opera fan, and in this past year, I have really focused more and more on this great art form. Because stats are always entertaining (to some of us), here are some fun facts about the past year.

 Top 10 Posts for the Past 12 Months

Bootleg Diva – Thoughts While Cleaning a Cupboard Feb 5, 2013

La Traviata – Duet from Debut of Damrau and Domingo Mar 16, 2013

Jonas Kaufmann Interview: Lohengrin Dec 12, 2012

The Great Düsseldorf Tannhäuser Scandale May 13, 2013

Kaufmann  is Lohengrin at La Scala: The Video Dec 26, 2012

Bloggery Snobbery  Jan 5, 2013

Stupid Reviewer Comments Aug 18, 2012

Die Zauberflöte in Baden-Baden – Preview Mar 31, 2013

More About the New Met Parsifal Feb 21, 2013

I think the number one post here drew in readers with its enticing headline. I'd love to know what people thought they were going to read when they clicked on Bootleg Diva. Jonas Kaufmann singing Wagner this year got a lot of attention, so popularity of the Lohengrin and Parsifal posts was not a surprise. 

I don't think I exactly scooped the Baden-Baden Zauberflote, but I have to say I hadn't read much else about it. It probably helped, too, that Arte LiveWeb retweeted my comment about their broadcast. Other current events, like Domingo and Damrau debuting in Traviata draw attention (That one is still topping the "past 30 days" list, too!) 

We seem to like controversy and feeling superior, so the snobbery, scandal, and reviewer comments posts make sense (they also were sparked by current events). Stupid Reviewer Comments, the first in a series, was one of the reasons I started a blog, and the series has been popular (relatively, I mean I am not talking about thousands of hits, here.) 

Not surprisingly, the majority of my readers live in English-speaking countries; however, it's exciting to see so many European readers, too (and from around the world: Asia, Australia, South America, etc.). 

1. United States
2. Germany
3. Russia
4. United Kingdom
5. France
6. Canada
7. Hungary
8. Finland
9. Poland
10. Austria

As you can imagine, I have more to say. But for now, I'll just say thanks again for reading, thanks to bloggers who've listed me on their blogs, and I look forward to many more years of writing, and interacting with you all.