Yes, I know I repeat myself all the time, but one of the main reasons I love Chapel Hill is the thriving cultural scene. There is always something culturally stimulating going on. Being at a concert, a play, a ballet, is a great break from the day-to-day but at the same time a very enriching experience, which I believe leaves an almost invisible sediment at the bottom of your soul, mind, heart. This sediment, like in a good wine adds to the richness and flavor of the wine. Among other events this year I went to:
- The Pittsburgh Symphony playing Mahler 1 symphony.
- Benjamin Britten’s Japanese Noh theatre inspired Curlew River
- Unavoidably in December, the Carolina Ballet’s Nutcracker
- The Maarinsky Orchestra playing Prokofiev
- Kronos Quarter with my dear friend and composer James Brown. This concert included a very nice question and answer period post concert.
- Brian Blade, a brilliant jazz drummer with my dear friend and cigar aficionado Jedd.
- Britten’s War Requiem
- Pierre Laurent Aimard and Tamara Stefanovich playing Pierre Boulez on dueling pianos!
- Martha Graham Dance Company
- The Monteverdi Orchestra playing the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 with Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducting. One of the most amazing shows I have ever seen!
- The North Carolina Symphony playing Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring. A great and hopeful hymn that represents the beauty that is America.
- Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure played by a small company in the local movie theatre!
- UNC Opera’s hilarious rendering of Strauss’ Die Fledermaus
- UNC Baroque Ensemble’s Fall and Spring concerts with the great Professor Wissick leading.
Unfortunately my Spring was so busy that I did not manage to go to any of the Playmakers Spring productions.
And this does not include lectures, readings, exhibits, nor any of all the more alternative goings on, in which I choose not to participate, one must set limits. All in all an extremely fulfilling year that had me thinking, feeling, laughing and crying.
Antonioyrocinante's Blog 