Barbican Weekend + Holland Park Opera
It's been a busy spring schedule with events for which I've bought tickets months ago.
Most recently was a new OHP production of Don Giovanni. We went with the same couple as last year, once again bringing a picnic that in and of itself was a big project. Like last year, the food itself provide as much excitement for me as the opera, the details of which I've recorded in my other journal. That was the first staging of the opera I've seen. I loved that it was set on a ship with costumes from the 1930s (which my gf also enjoyed), and the music was great, Mozart en forme. OHP is so different to the Royal Opera and I appreciate that difference. Both the creativity of a small company and production as well as being able to sit right in front of the stage and pit. That's not to take anything away from the two ballets we've been to at the ROH in the past few months (Mayerling & Jewels); I'm appreciating being a Friend of Covent Garden this year (courtesy of my mother).
I also had a weekend at the Barbican. First, a Friday night with my gf with the Brad Mehldau Trio. It's been a while since I've seen his trio, and this time I was in the centre, only one row back. It was like being in a jazz club. He and his trio were absolutely spellbinding. The telepathy and artistry is something to behold, truly. I returned on my own the next night to see Sasha DJ with a live chamber orchestra of sorts. Such a funny crowd as you can imagine, and when the bass dropped, the place was on its feet. An electric atmosphere, the likes of which I've never experienced at the Barbican.
I think I've said this before (and it's a recurring theme here), but I may have overdone it a bit with the tickets and events. I need time in as much as time out. However, these things feed my soul, and I'm making good on my goal to see a variety of music and events this year.
I am very fortunate. I record the events here from time to time to remind myself of that very real fact. I am fortunate to live in a city where I have the option to see the widest variety of the performing arts, at the highest level. I am fortunate to be in a position to take advantage of it. And I am fortunate to be with a woman who appreciates all of it; not because she wants to be seen there or treated or checked into facebook, but because she understands the beauty of the intangible.
Most recently was a new OHP production of Don Giovanni. We went with the same couple as last year, once again bringing a picnic that in and of itself was a big project. Like last year, the food itself provide as much excitement for me as the opera, the details of which I've recorded in my other journal. That was the first staging of the opera I've seen. I loved that it was set on a ship with costumes from the 1930s (which my gf also enjoyed), and the music was great, Mozart en forme. OHP is so different to the Royal Opera and I appreciate that difference. Both the creativity of a small company and production as well as being able to sit right in front of the stage and pit. That's not to take anything away from the two ballets we've been to at the ROH in the past few months (Mayerling & Jewels); I'm appreciating being a Friend of Covent Garden this year (courtesy of my mother).
I also had a weekend at the Barbican. First, a Friday night with my gf with the Brad Mehldau Trio. It's been a while since I've seen his trio, and this time I was in the centre, only one row back. It was like being in a jazz club. He and his trio were absolutely spellbinding. The telepathy and artistry is something to behold, truly. I returned on my own the next night to see Sasha DJ with a live chamber orchestra of sorts. Such a funny crowd as you can imagine, and when the bass dropped, the place was on its feet. An electric atmosphere, the likes of which I've never experienced at the Barbican.
I think I've said this before (and it's a recurring theme here), but I may have overdone it a bit with the tickets and events. I need time in as much as time out. However, these things feed my soul, and I'm making good on my goal to see a variety of music and events this year.
I am very fortunate. I record the events here from time to time to remind myself of that very real fact. I am fortunate to live in a city where I have the option to see the widest variety of the performing arts, at the highest level. I am fortunate to be in a position to take advantage of it. And I am fortunate to be with a woman who appreciates all of it; not because she wants to be seen there or treated or checked into facebook, but because she understands the beauty of the intangible.