They had a lady come on for about four songs singing opera - which I can take or leave frankly - but she did have a beautiful voice and was quite funny in some of her rôles. They also had dancers (as the name "Ballet Ensemble" suggests) and that I enjoyed very much, although to be honest I felt they didn't have that much room to dance. Towards the end of the evening they were playing a grand waltz when one of the male dancers walked on with a bottle of champagne which he was supposed to open and pour into several glasses. I didn't think for one minute that it was real but as he went to open the bottle the cork shot off and champagne (or some other fizzy stuff) spewed out all over the floor! I don't think that was supposed to happen somehow, but they were very professional and kept on going - although I was living in dread of one of them slipping in it! Thankfully that never happened!
The penultimate piece they played was The Blue Danube, which everyone recognizes and loves of course. But after that they played The Radetzky March for the grand finale and that was the piece that raised the roof! What I didn't know was that Johann Strauss Sr. wrote The Radetzky March and his son, Johann Strauss Jr. wrote The Blue Danube. Seems like there was just waaayyy too much talent in one family there don't you think!
Obviously this concert wasn't being filmed but since I love André Rieux I found a clip of his orchestra playing The Radetzky March (in Holland, im guessing, since they're all wearing orange). And guess what, I see that he's coming to Zurich in October and while my friend doesn't want to go, I have a friend who would like to go with me, assuming we can make the dates fit around his birthday celebrations! Damn, I hope Tony can make it!
I got up quite late this morning so got off to a slow start when I had been meaning to get some walking in. Around mid-day I was just thinking I couldn't be bothered to go out walking today when I looked on the 1,000 Mile website and saw that their motto was "boots on", so I thought sod it, "boots on", and here I go. The weather was glorious here today so there really was no excuse and I realize I need to seriously up my mileage if I'm going to achieve 1,000 miles in one year, as I'm nowhere near close to hitting the right daily target! So I drove down the valley for about 30 minutes to a small leisure centre in the village of Thyez. Now my friend and I discovered this pretty little lake a few years ago when we went to a vide grenier (car boot/garage sale) there, but I hadn't realized that there is actually so much more there than just the lake/swimming area. There were kids playing football, tennis, basketball, a skateboard park, a ping pong table and of course the usual swings and slides for the younger kids. In fact, there is a more than decent riding/walking trail there which would make it a good place to go walking on days when the weather isn't so great and I don't want to walk in the mud. So I got in a 90 minute walk (minus the 15 minutes I spent chatting to a lady sitting on a bench - told you, I'll talk to anyone!) and got a few km in towards my total, but it's really nowhere near enough. So I'm hoping that as I get more consistent with my walking I can pick up the pace and the mileage, although from what I hear that gets easier once you take your hands out your pockets!!! Who would have thought!
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| Lac de Thyez |
The weather here today was attrocious. It was blowing a gale and we had horizontal rain! Not conducive to walking anywhere. However it dried up enough to walk the dog this afternoon - short and sweet as they say but at least it got me out! I'm sure as the year progresses you will find yourself walking much more and further, you live in such a beautiful area I cannot imagine it will be a chore to do so. I'm glad you enjoyed your concert, particularly when you've so looked forward to it. I hope you manage to Zurich, I wish I could join you but its a bit too far for me to commute!! x
ReplyDeleteI enjoy getting out in the fresh air as it lifts the mood, but I have to say I'm "noticing" my hips a bit more. No pain at all, just weird. As for Rieu, he's in Glasgow on 9 May if you're interested!
DeleteOh, thanks for that information, I did not know that. I will go right now and investigate this further! x
DeleteI've just checked and the Glasgow concert will only allow me to buy 1 ticket and is otherwise sold out, as is the London shows :( You better buy your tickets soon! x
DeleteI was thinking that!!! Crikey, I knew he was popular. I will try to pin down my colleague for an answer. If not I will look at Maastricht. The stupid thing is, he was in Geneva in 2019!
DeleteThe lakes are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteListening to Strauss live must have been grand, as for the vocalist... I really don't like opera. While seeing a New York City Opera production of La Boheme I discovered opera makes me nauseous.
I'm not a great fan of opera but I loved seeing Carmen with Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes years ago. Ballet - I can take it or leave it. I go for the music really!
DeleteI would love the concerts, the walking not so much. Actually, it is a back problem that stops me. Lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteIf I had back problems I couldn't see me walking either (or doing much of anything else to be honest - I saw how painful that can be with my ex and some of my colleagues). I like getting out in the fresh air though as it really lifts my mood (not that it needs lifting very often, to be honest)!
DeleteI love a good concert, but would want to find someone to come. Hubs is only into his own kids, or 80's rock.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping my colleague will go as I don't fancy going on my own either. If not, I've an idea I might ask my sister if she fancies going to London in April. Could make a week of it in England (and to be honest it would probably be cheaper than the train and hotel for Zurich)!
DeleteBeautiful views. I walk for an hour every morning. Sometimes I get a second one in late afternoon before it gets dark.
ReplyDeleteI would say you get more mileage in than me anyway but it's already surprising to me how little I was doing before forcing myself out!!!
DeleteI swear my dog makes it easier to walk, even in crappy weather. He's always willing. 10,000 steps is approx 5 miles which is the recommended minimum from fit bit - but - That usually takes 2 walks a day plus walking around your house for a good bit. I've fallen off that wagon.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I used to get 10,000 steps in more easily when I was working - running for the bus and walking into town and so on. It still took an extra hour's walk but it was doable. Now it's so much harder because I don't HAVE to do anything. That's why I'm trying desperately to hang in there with the challenge. It's not easy keeping motivated though is it - well apart from having a dog!!!!
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