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The Serafins: Behind the “Wonderful” Facade | Family Secrets & Opera Life

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor
written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

The Serafins: Behind ‍the “Wonderful”⁤ Facade

September 20, 2025, 09:05

the life of Harald Serafin, ⁣long-time director of the‌ Sea Festival Mörbisch⁢ and celebrated operetta ​star, was characterized by a ‌constant performance, a purposeful crafting of public‌ image. this inclination towards presentation ‍extends to his family ‍- wife ⁤Ingeborg and ⁤son Daniel ⁤are equally adept at ⁢navigating public perception and expectation. While ‍daughter Martina largely remains outside the media spotlight, her career as an internationally successful opera singer firmly places her on ‍the ⁣stage as well.

Serafin’s signature exclamation, “wonderful,” which⁣ earned him the affectionate nickname “Mister Wonderful,” permeated family life. Though, beneath the surface of this carefully constructed persona lay space for disappointment, conflict, and the complexities inherent in any family dynamic. Recent conversations with family⁤ members have revealed a nuanced portrait of individual⁣ personalities, differing memories, and ambitions, offering unexpected⁣ details and poignant stories.

Editor: Claudia Gschweitl

Did this article resonate with you? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share it‍ with your friends, leave ​a comment ⁢below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more insightful stories like this‍ one. ‍Your ‍engagement helps ‍us bring you the news that matters.

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Health

High Blood Pressure After Aortic Dissection: Risks & Treatment Options

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor
written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

High Blood Pressure Poses serious Risks, Doctor Warns

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a risky condition, potentially leading to life-threatening events like aortic dissection – a separation of the layers of the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel. This is particularly concerning when blood flow to the kidneys is compromised. When the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys, are affected by a dissection, the kidneys release renin, a substance that further elevates blood pressure, creating a dangerous cycle.

A recent patient was warned about the severe risks associated with their current blood pressure levels.the doctor emphasized the danger to the remaining kidney, blood vessels throughout the body, and critically, the heart and brain. The risk of heart attack and stroke is significantly increased for individuals with elevated blood pressure. While predicting a specific event is impossible, the doctor stressed the patient was in “real danger.”

However,the doctor offered reassurance,stating that with consistent medical care and patience,a blood pressure treatment plan could likely be found to protect vital organs while minimizing unwanted side effects. The doctor specifically noted that depression and weight gain are not typical side effects of blood pressure medication.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 73-year-old woman who was diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid, a rare autoimmune disease, in January 2022. I have been treated by three different dermatologists with doxycycline, prednisone and Dupixent.Prednisone has been the only effective treatment.

I have been taking a dosage of 5-10 mg depending on the severity of flare-ups for the past three years. I dislike the side effects of weight gain and easy bruising with prednisone, but the skin blisters and intense itching necessitate its use. My doctor has suggested considering a treatment like Imuran, but the potential side effects seem concerning.

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

– D.B.

Dear D.B.: You are correct that bullous pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune blistering skin disease, commonly occurring in older adults. Your dermatologists have followed standard treatment protocols with doxycycline and prednisone. Thay also appropriately tried dupilumab (Dupixent), a powerful medication that proves effective for 92% of patients, making your lack of response somewhat unusual.

Other options to reduce or replace prednisone include dapsone, methotrexate, and mycophenolate – all established medications used cautiously by specialists.

It’s crucial to consider the long-term effects of prednisone on the immune system, blood sugar, blood pressure, and osteoporosis risk when evaluating option treatments. A steroid-sparing medication is worth serious consideration.

Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

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Entertainment

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ creator gives update on upcoming movie

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor
written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

‘The summer I turned ​pretty’ ‍Movie Update: Creator Jenny ⁢Han Confirms⁢ Development

LOS ANGELES – “The Summer I Turned⁣ Pretty” ​is expanding beyond the small screen. ⁤Series ⁢creator Jenny han confirmed plans for a movie adaptation of the beloved ​book series during⁣ an interview, offering fans a ⁣first look at the‌ project’s ‍development.

Han revealed the movie is currently in the early ⁤stages of development, with the intention of⁣ further exploring‌ the⁢ world and characters established in both the ‍novels and the Prime Video series. while details remain scarce, Han emphasized a desire to‍ deliver a cinematic ‌experience that ‌complements, rather than retreads,⁢ the existing show. “We’re really excited about the possibility of a movie,” Han said. “It feels like a natural extension of the story and a way to give fans even more of what they love.”

The proclamation comes⁢ as‌ the third ‌season of “The⁤ Summer I Turned Pretty” continues to stream on Prime Video, with the‍ first 11⁢ episodes currently available alongside previous ‌seasons.⁤ Prime ⁤Video subscriptions‍ are included with an Amazon Prime membership, starting at $14.99 per month or $139 annually, with discounted options for young adults and qualifying recipients ⁤of ⁢government assistance.‌ Customers can also purchase or‌ rent titles from Prime Video‌ without a full ⁢subscription.

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Entertainment

Arctic Soundscape: Longyearbyen – Music from the Edge of Wilderness

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor
written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

Arctic Soundscape Captures Industry’s Echo in a changing Landscape – Do |⁢ 18.09.2025⁢ | 23:03

Longyearbyen,Svalbard – British‍ musician and ⁢sound artist James Welburn has unveiled a compelling soundscape composition,”longyearbyen: Life on the edge of industry and wilderness,” born from repeated artistic residencies in ‍the remote Arctic settlement of Longyearbyen on‌ Spitzbergen.The ⁣nearly hour-long work meticulously layers​ natural and industrial sounds to⁤ portray the complex relationship between humanity and the fragile Arctic environment.

Welburn,⁤ currently based ‌in⁤ Oslo and ‍teaching sound ‌for ⁣documentary⁤ at the ‍University​ of domestic Norway’s television school, describes a deeply immersive creative process. “I had‌ to⁢ hike through the ghostly wasteland of ⁣old mining machines and feel small in front⁣ of⁤ ancient mountains. I ⁢felt the arctic wind grew my body as it rattled the abandoned industrial machines. ‍Only then could I create ⁢music⁤ and⁣ sounds that reacted to the landscape,” he explains.

Longyearbyen,⁤ a former ​mining ‍town, presents‌ a unique sonic‍ environment – a blend of extreme weather, dramatic ⁣landscapes, decaying industrial‍ infrastructure, and the ⁢increasing presence of tourism. Welburn’s recordings⁣ capture this duality, encompassing everything from⁤ the wind and water to the sounds of machinery and daily life.

The⁤ composition isn’t simply ​a recording ‌of sounds, but a documentation of the powerful ⁣forces shaping Spitzbergen: the relentless Arctic​ weather, the legacy of industrial activity, and the accelerating environmental changes impacting the region. Welburn, who previously ⁣lived in ‍Berlin, has visited Longyearbyen three times as an artist ‌in residence, ​allowing him to ⁤build ⁢a nuanced sonic portrait of this‍ northernmost outpost.

further information on James‌ Welburn’s work can be found at http://www.jameswelburn.no/.

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Entertainment

Guyana Republic: Novel of a French Geographer’s Imposture

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor
written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

The Audacious Republic ‌of Cornani: ⁢Jean-Paul Delfino Uncovers a 19th-Century⁤ French Imposture

Jean-Paul ⁤Delfino’s ‌new novel, “COUNANI, a king without ⁤land or crown,” plunges into the tumultuous 19th-century landscape of ⁣Guyana,​ a​ territory populated by a diverse mix⁢ of individuals -⁣ liberated convicts, gold prospectors, former⁣ slaves, and adventurers ⁤- ⁢alongside​ representatives of French administration. The novel‍ revisits characters from Delfino’s previous ​work,​ “Guyanes” ⁣(2023), namely Clara and Mané, a married couple comprised of a white woman and a Black man, ⁤both former convicts. ‌The narrative is sparked ‍when Clara unexpectedly returns⁢ to⁤ France, prompting Mané to embark on a journey to find her, a journey that weaves between Guyana and ⁢Paris.

Central to the story is the​ remarkable,and largely unknown,history of Jules ‌gros (1829-1891),a French geographer ‌and journalist. despite ‌never having visited Guyana, Gros ‍declared himself president ⁢of the autonomous ‌”Republic ‌of⁣ Guyana,” or⁣ “Republic of Cornani,” in 1886. In the novel, Mané becomes⁣ a‌ collaborator of​ Gros ⁣in Paris.

Delfino, speaking on the Vertigo show on September 12th, confessed his ‌interest with Gros, stating, “I still do not know ​if this gentleman was a utopian, ⁢a ‍poet,⁣ a crook or simply someone​ a little cracked.” He ​further‌ noted that the ancient relationship between Paris⁤ and‌ Guyana⁢ has consistently been marked by “a frantic Jacobinism and a poor reputation.”

The⁢ novel details how Gros exploited the‌ widespread belief in ‌Guyana’s potential wealth, promising ample returns on investments to a number ⁤of unsuspecting individuals. He ⁣successfully convinced them that the newly ‍proclaimed republic represented an “Eldorado.”

“COUNANI” contrasts the⁣ stark reality of ⁢a‌ neglected Guyana with the fantastical ⁣mirages conjured in‌ Paris⁤ regarding⁣ the territory’s supposed ⁢riches. Gros’s ambition extended beyond mere proclamation; he commissioned ‍a flag, drafted a constitution, and ‌even attempted to establish ⁣a functioning government, appointing butchers unfamiliar⁣ with even ⁤basic geography as ministers⁢ and opening consulates and embassies across Europe. Remarkably, some foreign nations initially ‍believed in the republic’s⁣ legitimacy, a testament to the⁢ power of repeated falsehood.

Delfino emphasizes that Gros’s actions are‌ emblematic of France’s historical ignorance ​regarding ‌its overseas territories. “I ⁢wanted to tell the character of Jules Gros, as for‌ me he is ​very emblematic of the ignorance⁤ of the rest of the world by France,” he explained.

The author draws parallels between the 19th-century situation and contemporary French policy,expressing dismay that little progress has been made. “I really have ⁤the impression of having written a‍ contemporary novel,” Delfino stated, citing recent proposals to reopen the Cayenne prison ⁤or establish a company⁣ in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon as⁣ evidence that “We‍ did ⁣not ⁣advance a millimeter, it is cataclysmic.”

“COUNANI, A King without land or crown” by‌ Jean-Paul Delfino is published by⁢ ISTYA and​ CIE‍ and is⁢ scheduled for release in August 2025.

(Source: Interview by pierre Philippe CADERT, adaptation web: mh)

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Health

Statins: Weighing the Risks and Benefits – A Doctor’s Explanation

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor
written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Statins adn Cholesterol: ​Understanding Your Individual Risk Reduction

When considering ​weather to start a statin to⁣ manage cholesterol, it’s crucial to understand that the ⁣benefit isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. ⁣The amount a statin helps reduce your risk of heart disease heavily depends on your existing⁣ risk level. This risk is persistent by factors like ‍age,sex,blood pressure,cholesterol levels (including HDL),smoking status,family history,and other‌ health considerations. This ‌detailed​ analysis⁤ is particularly important for individuals without pre-existing heart disease; ⁤for those who already have heart disease, the benefits of statins are ‌generally significant and don’t require this level of individualized⁣ assessment.

While statins offer a consistent relative ​risk​ reduction – typically around 20% depending on the specific drug and dosage – this doesn’t translate to the same absolute benefit for ​everyone.A 20%‍ relative risk reduction is a useful benchmark, but ‌it’s the absolute risk reduction that truly illustrates the impact for an individual.

Doctors frequently enough use risk calculators to estimate a person’s baseline risk before starting a statin. One commonly used tool is ​available at tinyurl.com/PREVENTCalc,though clinicians will frequently ​enough adjust the ⁤calculator’s results⁣ to account for factors it doesn’t directly consider.

To ‍illustrate, consider two examples.A 75-year-old man with a ‌cholesterol of 220 mg/dL, an HDL of 45 mg/dL, and a blood ⁣pressure of 140/80 mmHg might ‌have an estimated 10-year absolute ​risk of 19.4% of developing obstructive heart disease, ‍including heart attack or death. A statin could reduce ​this risk by approximately 20%, lowering ⁣it to 15.5%. This translates to an absolute risk reduction of 3.9%.

However, a 50-year-old woman with the same cholesterol,⁢ HDL, and blood‌ pressure readings would have​ a much lower baseline risk of ⁤only 3.6%. The same 20% relative risk reduction would only lower her risk by 0.72%, resulting in ​a new absolute risk of 2.88%.

This difference ‌highlights why understanding absolute ‌risk reduction is so important. Clinicians and researchers also utilize the‌ “number ⁣needed ​to ​treat” (NNT) to further clarify⁣ the impact. In the examples above, approximately 26 of the 75-year-old men ⁢would need to be treated ‌with‍ a statin for 10 years to prevent one ⁣heart attack or death, while 139 of the 50-year-old​ women would need treatment to prevent the same outcome.

Ultimately, the value of a statin – or any heart disease prevention treatment – is directly tied to an individual’s initial risk. Whether ‌that benefit is “worth it” is a personal decision, ‍influenced not only by the calculated risk reduction ‍but ⁤also by a‍ person’s comfort level with medication and their individual ‍concerns about heart disease.

The financial cost of statins,⁢ typically‌ around $5 to $10 per month, is ⁤rarely a important ⁤barrier.While ‌serious side effects are uncommon, alternatives are available if⁤ they occur.

Readers may email questions to toyourgoodhealth@med.cornell.

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