Category: Culture

Christmas reading

A great history book that describes the ‘birth’ of East Germany, its difficulties from the outset and its development.

It presents well how it differed from the west from the outset with a different social mix, Protestants against mainly Catholics, the ethnic germans who were displaced to Germany after WW2 from other eastern countries and the lack of natural resources for industry.

The east developed its own politics clearly, with positives within its society along with the well known political suppression and Stasi surveillance. The Wall went up as a economic necessity for the east, but despite the rhetoric, was accepted as needed by the western powers too.

Another factor is the clear arrogance of the west, with its own imperfections, but unwillingness to accept positives existed in the east. There was a take over rather unification.

It is a good accompaniment to ‘Siblings’ the novel of east german origin and the political history book about Albania.

Milan and Figaro

As ever I am late.

The following entries will not be in chronological orfer but will give some impression of recent events and activities.

We were in Italy for a week and the final night we went to the opera at La Scala- again- 5 years on. It was the night before our long train ride from Milan to Zurich, then Paris and finally Brittany.

I wanted to see The Marriage of Figaro. Shaz tells me we saw it in Wellington- i can just remember- and apparently we were not impressed then.

Certainly not impressed this time. The production seemed bland in its setting, very traditional – not attempt to modernise and give something different. The performance was too long and not helped by the fact the surtitles did not work in our box for the first act. I think for a place like the La Scala it either wants/ or is under pressure to do it the usual way- do not rock the boat. My memories of innovation are much stronger for NZ Opera.

Oh well- just remember- no more Marriage of Figaro.

The Globe

A Sunday trip to see some Shakespeare. We we have seen a version of this play at the Rose and Crown, as part of the Shakespeare in the garden series.

It helps to have some idea of the story.

A great afternoon out, very well done. The actors so good and so funny. Not just the words but the timing and facial and bodily expressions.

Pantomime 2022

We went to the Questors theatre in Ealing to take in the fun- our second time.

Joe was in place having arrived from NZ on Tuesday.

A good fun evening with classic corny jokes and activities.

Messiah

This year’s visit was to the Royal Festival Hall. A new venue for us I think, but I think impressive.

Of course we, that is me, Shaz and IQ, wow critical. Shaz did not like the conductor as he seemed to tell the audience when to applaud. There was too much clapping during the performance-it became disruptive.

The choir was substantial- about 300-and so gave good volume. One of the males seemed under-powered. Overall it seemed a little flat.

James Blake

This is very late in the day but…..never too late?

EQ bough tickets for James Blake at the Alexander Palace for Shaz’s birthday. However in the end- EQ decided to go to Croatia with the baby. So I filled her shoes.

It was on a Tuesday night, 10 days ago now, but a school night…so a little dangerous.

The journey there was in truth quite straightforward with an easy walk from Wood Green tube.

And the event-not bad. I like a lot of his music but I am not sure how well it transfers to the live settling. There were 10,000 people there who seemed very relaxed, white, coupled and not raucous.

A good event but not the best.

And a few extracts of music:

A good read

A book that I really liked- having given it to EQ as a Christmas present.

It tells the reality of living under different political structures when Albania ‘transitioned’ from one to another. The story strips out the bullshit of what democracy is and what it has to offer. A socialist state had its strengths.

The sad thing was of the stage when so many people were trying to leave the country. They knew how to go where they wanted…. but did not know why or what was at the destination.

The Messiah

Late to the piece but last Friday IQ went with me to the Barbican for the annual trip.

Shaz was indisposed awaiting the result of a PCR which was reported as negative just as the show was about commence.

It was a smaller scale affair with only 26 in the choir and the music played by a sinfonia rather than full orchestra. Despite this the acoustics of the venue helped project the sound thought the variation in tones was not evident as it can be with a larger choir.

The audience was reduced- fear regarding infection I suppose.

From the Barbican website:

‘Handel’s glorious Messiah holds a special place in many people’s hearts over the Christmas period, but perhaps it will be even more significant in 2021

After a year without the triumphant ‘Hallelujah’ chorus ringing out in churches and concert halls, Britten Sinfonia will give an intimate but impassioned performance. A star-studded line up of soloists joins conductor David Watkin and the Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge.’