The Messiah

As ever better late than never. Last weekend we made our usual trip to see in the Messiah performed and here are my thoughts.

As Joseph would say we have our traditions, and going each year is one of ours. Has become relatively easy in recent years as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has made The Messiah part of its regular season. It is difficult to be precise aboutWhich yearsThe betterThis years performance change be a good one.

All four soloists were strong and were able to sustain their voices.The Orpheus choir I think was about 140 strong and seemed to be enough to give sufficient volume to the choral music. The orchestra play some sections that I have not heard before which were beautiful and worthwhile to hear.

As ever, it was a lovely activity to listen to and see.

Next year which performance will we watch? We will be in London so will it be an opportunity to revisit the Royal Albert Hall to see the masters in action?

 

 

Take That

I never thought that I would going to see Take That, but it goes to show how the unexpected happens.

Murray came up with the suggestion, Sara jumped at it and I tagged along.

Three of the original members are still playing, and I must say I found them to be very professional and entertaining. I did not know all the music but enough to enjoy.
There were plenty of old recognisable tunes amongst the new ones. Lots people enjoyed themselves, Sara and Murray included.

So maybe another example of getting out and trying new and alternative things.

Films continue

Festival is in full flow.

The most appreciated film so far has been God’s Own Country. 

The film is set in Yorkshire and concerns a sheep farming family, particularly the son and how he changes with the arrival of a farm worker from Romania. The development of their relationship and the impact on his sexuality- from purely physical to emotional. With this comes the change in the dynamics of the family and the portrayal of the local racism.

Good film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Times of Fading Light is a German film set in 1989  just before the wall came down. I am not sure I completely understood all of the aspects but it was an interesting to see the portrayal of the communist world and its structures, culture and politics while the world is changing. The regime did not cater for the young who did not have a future while the older generation continued to look backwards and justified their world through the lens of WW2 and before.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe a reflection of current politics with the generation gap of what is important- Brexit etc?

NZIFF

Yesterday included seeing a film early after work; the first of our New Zealand International Film Festival excursions.

The Party was appreciated more by SQ and EQ than me. A play in film format showed the various selfish and unpleasant characters and their interrelationship. Despite fine acting, an interesting format and clever twists it did not grab me.

Plenty more to come.

Carmen

Our annual trip to the Opera last night to see Carmen by the NZ Opera.

We have seen Carmen before, Sara at least twice and once for me. It is certainly a classic and so expectations were a little high. Unfortunately expectations were not met. The production seemed a little quiet and flat and the male lead did not seem to make the connection with us and possibly the rest of the audience. The applause at the end was polite rather than enthusiastic. A review in the Dom Post concurred overall.

So quite an expensive night out without reaching the heights. That is always the risk I suppose.

Let’s hope for greater success for the next cultural event.

 

Round the Bays active family

Last weekend was the annual fun run and serious run in Wellington. In total about 10,000 people participated; about 2,000 each for the 10km and the half-marathon. Eleanor and Joe each did the ‘half’ while Shaz did the 10k.

All did well with Joe and EQ running in less than 2 hours and Sara beating last year’s time by a bit. Joe was possibly more comfortable at the finish than Eleanor. Good stuff by all concerned though.

Sven was in the crowd cheering on heartedly though maybe too American-like for me. Isaac was watching too as he apparently does not like running. I had planned to run but again the body showed its vulnerability and injuries to the achilles and calves proved to be limiting.

Maybe in June I can have a go if the body improves? Maybe the old man needs to fins something more suited to later years of life?