Things
are settling down after nearly a month living in Prague. Two more to
go before returning to Japan and full retirement from the 9 to 5
workaday world. This three-month stay serves as a kind of transition
phase between the routine of getting up early enough to shower and
have breakfast before leaving home at 8:15 a.m. for work and the
non-routine (new routine?) of getting up whenever: leisurely coffee
in bed, exercise, bath, brunch around 11-ish, out for afternoon
walking exercise, dinner in or out and entertainment in the
evening—or not as the case might be.
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| local opera goers fill the auditorium |
Good to
exceptionally good shows seem to be becoming the norm. The most
recent events we've attended have all been above reproach and beyond
criticism. Last night we went to see the ballet Swan Lake.
It's truly a memorable experience to have nothing negative to say,
especially for a demanding perfectionist like me. I am very much
impressed with the professionalism and artistry of the performers
here in Prague. If the theaters here are not “world-class” it may
very well be because they are more concerned with high quality
performances for people who truly enjoy them—and not, God help us,
for fans of “stars”. True theater, the real deal.
I'm
allowed to occasionally dig into my bag of gripes (I have a low
opinion of fans). A blog of only sweetness and light
would be ultimately boring (just as this blog may be). I know, I'm
incorrigible. Just write whatever pops into my head. (But you should
see what I delete.) Swan Lake was just simply beautiful to
watch and listen to. The grace and precision and apparent
weightlessness of the dancers and the simple beauty of bodies trained
to the peak of perfection; “in form and moving how express and
admirable,” said old Will S. in one of his plays—Hamlet, I
think it was. Well, he must have had dancers in mind.
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| poor choice of seats this time |
Come to
think of it I DO have one small criticism of the ballet. I got a
stiff neck leaning out over the balcony in order to see the whole
stage. Our seats were too much to the side and half the stage was
obscured. But that has nothing to do with the wonderful dancers and
orchestra; it has everything to do with my poor choice of seats this
time. I have only my own arse to kick.
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| 3 curtain calls |
The
audience was obviously delighted with the performance as we applauded
and whistled and bravoed enthusiastically, yours truly included, for
nearly 5 minutes and 3 curtain calls.
2 comments:
Swan Lake…oh how delightful. Did you know that I fancied myself a ballerina well into college. Ahhh…those wonderful days. And yes, your seats seem less than ideal. Live and learn. You are living the life of the wealthy, vacationing for months to enjoy 'the season' of music and dance. Deee light ful! We will all live vicariously through you.
Really? No, I didn't know that. Why did you give it up? Maybe the life of, but not the reality of "the wealthy". All of this is within the budget of moderately comfortable people. It's really about a bent of personality. I've had itchy feet all my life, always wanting to see over the next mountain. Current circumstances are just a continuation of same. I once told a friend of mine, that I'd rather drop dead in the street of some strange new place than rot away if front of the boob toob or, god forbid, a nursing home.
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