Some Spo-fans asked me to write how was the trip to Chicago.
It was comforting to be back in Chicago. I lived there between 1988 and 2000. It was nice to be in a city in which you can easily walk around or use public transport, and there are so many things to do downtown. Like most people who move away from a place that evokes fond memories, I want it to remain the same and not change an iota. I am conscious of this, but I still reacted with dismay to see shops closed and new buildings going up on old favorites. White Hen Pantry convenience stores are closing down. The Reader shrunk. Even the gay rags seem tinier. I did not recognize Midway airport. It used to resemble something out of a 3rd world nation.
The two operas were fabulous. I’ve waited years for “Die Frau Ohne Schatten’, an opera by Richard Strauss. Thanks to half a cup of Starbuck’s coffee I stayed awake for it (by the way, it was nasty; how do folks drink this stuff?) I was not disappointed in “Frau”. It is a sort of fairy tale, a mini-Ring cycle with a domestic setting. Everyone sang well, including the substitute mezzo and the tenor who had a reported cold. The music is brilliant and very chromatic: the duet in Act III is now one of my favorite tunes. Perhaps it was a little too over the top in production. The stage was the most lavish thing I have ever seen in a theatre, after “O” in Las Vegas.
The next night’s performance of “Julius Caesar” by Handel was also brilliant. What a different cup of tea that was. The soprano who sang the role of Cleopatra did so brilliantly and had a lot of choreography. Someone thought she resembled Thelma in “Chicago’. And of course there was that cute Mr. David Daniels, doing a fine job as Caesar, all dressed in British Imperial military garb. Yum.
Although the two operas are separated by nearly 200 years, they were both over 4 hours long. Long nights!
I got my wish ‘to see some winter’. Saturday had a Midwest blizzard and it was a nasty one – snow, sleet, rain, and a howling wind so strong it blew us down the icy street. We are no longer used to such weather! It was very cold.
We had a lovely lunch with DougT from Gossamer Tapestry and his partner Leon. The poor sods had to drive into town in all that wintry weather, but they are used to it I suppose. We four decided to go on a cruise this next winter in lieu of the annual trek to Key West. They have never been on a cruise.
16 comments
December 3, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Tony
DID I HEAR BEARS ON A CRUISE! SAAAAAWEET!! Can I book now. LOL. I hear, the bigger the bear crowd the better. 😉
December 4, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Zeph
I’ve known a lot of folks who used to live in Chicago. They all say that they loved it. They also all moved away, so… I’m guessing there’s something y’all are not telling us about the place.
The trick with Starbucks coffee seems to be, use plenty of cream and sugar to dilute the horror.
Urspo – I moved for love, not because i did not like the city. I think most people who leave chicago do so for positive reasons rather than ‘I hated the city’.
December 4, 2007 at 5:23 AM
Lemuel
I was amused by your comments about visiting Chicago, wanting it to be the same, but finding that many things had changed.
A couple of months ago we made a special trip back to the old area of Lake Gonebelow to go to our favorite butcher at the local farmer’s market. When we got there, to our surprise, it had gone out of business (within two months of our leaving!)
Yesterday we ran back into the area to stop at a hobby shop (to pick up items for the trains) only to find that it had gone out of business.
Maybe you and I can find comfort in realizing the singular economic power we had in our communities, that after we leave said communities thriving businesses go under. LOL!
December 4, 2007 at 6:19 AM
foxystone
A shot of cold and snow for you then. Was it enough to get you through an Arizona winter? And as always, no matter how much coffee, I would still sleep through th operas. 😛
December 4, 2007 at 8:21 AM
Catty Bitch
I saw both operas last week. More impressed with the singing in FrOSch, but enjoyed the conventions of GC.
Looking forward to Dr. Atomic and the rest of the season, especially Juan Diego Florez in Barbière di Siviglia. Eugene Onegin? Probably not so much, although Hvorostovsky is a silver FOX!
Anywho, say hey next time you’re up.
December 4, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Kalvin
I wish I could just use coffee to stay awake. Unfortunately, I think I need caffeine to run a pulse. If I actually expected to stay awake, I think I’d have to start mainlining. That’s so exciting that you got to see opera. So fancy! I thought those soi disant bears were supposed to be quasi-blue-collar.
Urspo – only when they dress up as lumberjack wannbes.
December 4, 2007 at 9:45 AM
tigeryogiji
Coffee is the Devil’s work…. 😉
December 4, 2007 at 9:47 AM
johnmichael
It’s always some sort of a comfort to visit a place where you lived–I always feel like I’m walking into a hug when I visit my alma mater. Something about the university days makes me feel good, even if the transformation from teenage to adult was quite bumpy.
December 4, 2007 at 10:54 AM
BID
I’m glad you are safe. That kind of mother nature can really do some damage!
Bears on a cruise. Sounds exciting!
December 4, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Cliffie
Here’s something I learned this week by accident: in German or auf Deutsch, “Strauss” means “ostrich.” So bear that in mind next time you ever hear about the musical compositions of Strauss, or the oft-repeated phrase “Strauss waltz.”
December 4, 2007 at 5:21 PM
DougT
It was great to see you guys. It was worth battling the elements to get in to town. Glad you enjoyed the opera
December 4, 2007 at 5:34 PM
Doug
Did you put some snow in a jar for use later?
A choice between Key West and a cruise is toughie. Why not both? Or a cruise to/from Key West?
December 4, 2007 at 7:34 PM
stephen
A fun filled weekend, some wintery weather, a lovely lunch with some freinds is priceless. Happy to have you back.
December 4, 2007 at 8:58 PM
Jason
Happy you had a good time in Chicago. I miss the city. I’m planning a visit in the spring, when it warms up.
A cruise is a good idea! Never been on one either. Thinking about one in the Greek Isles next summer. I need to lose weight for that one though.
Oh, why do they call Leon “The WIld One”?
December 5, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Cameron
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed both operas.
Yes, it’s always interesting to revisit a place you’ve lived. It’s never quite the same, yet IS…in a way.
I’ve moved away from the Sacramento area twice and have returned twice. Who’da thunk?
Where do you plan to go on the cruise next winter?
December 9, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Printable Fathers Day Card
Sweet message.
I guess you will comment our page..
Thank you again