Drama and Music (and London Life)

Above, the seasonal changes in Russell Square Park. Autumn has started to move into London. Students are back in force in my neighborhood and new faces are appearing as staff at local cafes and restaurants. Unfortunately, the flu or some other bug has laid me low for most of this week, but I am back and feeling beter now. Thanks for waiting.

A Great Theatrical Experience

My friend James works at the Barbican, an arts complex in the City of London. He and his wife and daughters are among my favorite people to visit in London. James invited to see a production called ‘Lacrima,’ at the Barbican’s theatre.

The story takes place in France and India where a French Fashion House is chosen to design a wedding dress for “a princess of England.” The dress will include elements of a fragile Victorian era wedding veil that is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection. The story is told and the actors primarily speak in French (with some Hindi and English). The French is translated on overhead TV monitors that also give closeups of the action at multiple locations. “Woven” into the story is also the tale of the lacemakers from Northern France and bead and precious stone embroiderers in India. The Princess (a fictional character) gives the creators of the gown an unrealistic schedule that unravels along with the lives of some of the main characters. This was a long production (3 hours) that played without an interval. The French theatre company preferred no stoppage, but finally agreed to a 4 minute ‘comfort break.’

The quality of the acting was outstanding, the French language was lyrical and beautiful. The superscript screen translations were not bothersome. This was an evening of pure theatrical pleasure.

More Music at Wigmore Hall

Another pleasant Sunday late morning concert at Wigmore Hall. The music was performed by a talented pair of musicians, Stephen Waarts, violin andElizabeth Brauss, piano.

They played three selections: Schubert’s Rondo in B minor; Schumann’s 3 Romances, Op 94; and Strauss’s Violin Sonaa in E flat.

These young musicians gave a wonderful performance.

London Life

Regular readers of my blog know of my love of London life, be it a cheery wave from a street vendor, a warm welcome in a cafe, or just the incredible experience of the parks. Today, Russell Square unveiled it’s latest Public Sculpture selections. Three pieces by Michael Craig Martin, an Irish conceptual artist who is 84 years young. Three sculpture are placed strategically around the park. Tehy include: “Umbrella,” “Headphones,” and “Bright Idea.” What a great surprise as the Autumn leave continue to fall.

Alms Houses and More Music at Wigmore Hall

Museum of the Home

I always look forward to a trip out with my friends Stewart and Kerri. This time Stu suggested we visit the Museum of the Home in the Hoxton area of London. The museum is located in the Former Geffrye Almshouses, built through a bequest fromSir Robert Geffrye, a merchant, Lord Mayor of London and Master of the Ironmongers Company. Because he had some involvement in transporting enslaved men and women to the British West Indies in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the museum is trying to downplay his name and move a statue that sits above the entrance to the almshouse’s chapel. We had two excellent guides throughout the tour of the almshouses.

Almshouses were built for poor widow (and some men) that were asociated with various trades or guilds who built them. Residents were given very basic furniture and household items in the early years and a small stipend.

Above are some pictures of what the early almshouse room, allocated to a woman or a couple would have looked like.

As time moved forward, the type of person needing the almshouses changed and by the 19th century, housemaids, nurses, former nannies etc., were moving in to somewhat improved conditions.

Below are pictures of the improved later accomodations, including indoor plumbing and clothes washing facilities.

Underneath the row of Almshouses which each contained for “units,” the museum of the home displays typical rooms and furnishing from the 18th through 20th centuries. It too, is worth a visit. Wonderful gardens are also part of the property. Below are some pictures of them.

More Wigmore

Simon Trpcheski, a Macedonian pianist, was appearing for a 25th anniversary of his first appearance at Wigmore Hall. He played Tchaikovsky’s “Autumn Song” from “The Seasons Opus 37a. It was an incredibly beautiful performance of a song that was truly evocative of Autumn. His second piece was Ravel’s “Vaises nobles et sentinentales.” (Noble and Sentimental Waltzes) which was a perfect companion for the first piece. For his third piece, he returned to Tchaikovsky “Nutcracker Suite (arranged by Mikhail Pietnev). It was delightful hearing this familiar away from Christmas. He concluded with two encore pieces that were received with great delight.

Bowie, the V&A East Storehouse, and Trees

David Bowie at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) East Storehouse

Its a journey to the V&A East Storehouse (aka the V&A Annex) from the part of London where I am based. The Annex is located not too far from the Olympic Stadium in East London that is now the home to the West Ham Football Club. This part of the Borough of Hackney is largely filled with new buildings constructed since the last London Olympics. The David Bowie Centre is the home for David Bowie’s archive. I understand that the exxhibit will be a rotating one showing the huge quantity of Bowie costumes, photos, mass media, music, and memorabilia.

After entering the centre, you will see a display of Bowie albums and magazines featuring him.

Next you enter a large rectangular space that includes a huge screen playing Bowie videos. On all sides are display cases of memorabilia.

The whole Bowie experience is condensed in a small space that is still overwhelming to the visitor. The expanse of his career and influence is displayed. There is also a study center adjacent to the exhibit space and a section where museum experts can be seen working and curating the huge collection.

A Taste of the Rest of the V&A East Annex

The Annex is huge “working museum” and serves as a place to store and curate the museum’s huge collection of items that are not currently on display at the V&A in South Kensington, London. As one walks the floors of this building, one sees items like these.

Part of a carved ornate celing from Torrijos, Spain

It is amazing to imagine all of these pieces on display in the main museum. The museum’s collection is rotated from time to time.

Trees

I am obsessed with the huge and mighty trees in two parks near my London abode. There is something very special about sitting under them and enjoying the peace they bring in the middle of a bustling city.

THE RETURN TO WIGMORE HALL AND A VISIT TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Wigmore Hall Concerts

The Wigmore Hall Sunday Concert Season has begun. These are the delightful hour long concerts by, generally young artists, often string quartets, that are something I look forward to each year. There are also Monday afternoon concerts on my schedule at this same wonderful venue. Above the beautiful bouquet which has twin on the other side of the stage.

No Sunday concert at Wigmore should start without a coffee and croissant at the restaurant on the Hall’s lower level.

This week’s performers were the Quartetto Indaco, an Italian String Quartet that played three pieces on the programme, Hayden’s String Quartet in C, Opus 33 No. 3 (The Bird); Webern’s Langsamer Saltz; and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet Number 4 in E Minor, Opus 44 No. 2. All were played to perfection and received very warmly by the sold out crowd. They finished with an encore of a Sardinian love song that them sung. It was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes.

Life on the Earth-Millet at the National Gallery

This show coincided with the 150th anniversary of the Normandy, France born artist. This collection focuses on the work of peasants on the land during his lifetime.

Jean Francois Millet came from the village of Gruchy where his family were farmers. He paid particular attention to women’s work. This gives us an insight into their lives.

Happily, this was a free exhibit and well-worth the visit.