26 SEPTEMBER 1998, page 53

Empress Of The Blues

George Melly visits the former hospital where Bessie Smith died ould you like to see where Bessie die?' asked Frank `Rat' Ratcliffe, propri- etor of an African-American hotel in......

Exhibitions

Picasso: Painter and Sculptor in Clay (Royal Academy, till 16 December) Acceptable gifts Martin Gayford A friend of mine once asked a distin- guished artist to his wedding. The......

Opera

The Magic Flute (Scottish Opera, Edinburgh) Madam Butterfly (ENO) Full marks, almost Michael Tanner I am more steadfast than Tamino himself in searching for an, adequate Magic......