Magnificent performances.

The decision to come during the annual Prague Spring music festival is probably the best decision I have made in a looonnnggg time.

On Monday I saw The Greek Passion at the Národní Divadlo (National Theater). The vocal performances were just superb, most especially the three who played Manolios (Christ), Katernia (Mary), and Yannakos (Peter). I just found this link to a commentary on the original novel. It's a pretty good summary and its commentary is pretty insightful. This is a good link on the opera version of the novel, the one I watched.

On Tuesday I had the great fortune to listen to Garrick Ohlsson recited pieces by Beethoven, Korte, and Smetana at the Obecní dům (Municipal House) A few people left at the interval after the Beethoven pieces but personally I rather liked the Korte and Smetana pieces. Ohlsson must have done at least 4 encores to which the audience responded with a standing ovation at the end.








Just tonight I heard the Prague Chamber Orchestra played Mozart's Requiem at the gorgeous St. Vitus Cathedral. The show has been sold out for months. (I couldn't get tickets weeks before I was to depart, just to give you an idea..) I was, however, lucky enough to get a ticket at the door at the very very very last minute for a mere 200 korunas which is just little more than $9. My musical vocabruary is rather limited so all I can really say is that it was an incredible experience and I am so glad to have made it without having a ticket booked early on.

I think I will likely take a break from the festival tomorrow. On Friday, however, I have tickets to the English Chamber Orchestra and I am really looking forward to that since it contains two piano concerti, which is my favorite, by Mozart.

On Saturday, I am hoping to get ticket to Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Stavovské divadlo (Estates' Theater) which, incidentally, premiered at this exact venue 218 years ago. Fingers crossed!

Anyway.. time for me to hop off the computer and get some sleep. I am going to try to get up early so I can go take some good pics of the incredible Prague Castle with the morning light. The clouds cleared out afternoon today, hopefully it'll stay that way!

Ciao!

PS don't be shy on the commentary! I get quite lonely at time and I enjoy it a lot when I get feedback from people... you don't have to say much, even something silly and nonsensical would be great! (at least I know you are reading..)

PPS I have been talking to people (mostly White Europeans) and most think I look lot younger than 25... I guess that's a good thing right?..... right? I bet all my Asian family and friends think I look older than 25! ok I am not making sense anymore... off i go...