Rhone Day 1: Paris

 It may conflict with concert season at home, but Paris is beautiful in April.

After exploring the magnificent Palais Garnier, we wandered the streets of Paris with our local guide. Wisteria everywhere.

Ernest Hemingway moved into this upper floor apartment in 1926 when he left his wife for Pauline Pfeiffer.

Saint-Surplice was the first of many beautiful churches we saw on this trip.

I would have loved to hear an organ concert there.

One of the highlights of the trip was the people. We were all supporters of public radio and lovers of classical music. That first evening we attended a concert at the Philharmonie, an ultra modern building designed by Jean Nouvel, who also designed the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. This one reminded me of a crumpled metallic balloon.

I was not a fan of the weird exterior of either building, but I loved the sweeping balconies inside.

And the music was wonderful, especially the mezzo-soprano and her haunting encore.

    Orchestre national d'île-de-France

    Ainārs Rubiķis, conductor

    Bella Adamova, mezzo-soprano

 

    Bedrich Smetana: The Moldau, from Ma Vlast (My Country)

    Edward Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 37

    Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major

 

    Exquisite Encore: Bella Adamova sang an unaccompanied lullaby.

    Melissa Ousley from MPR, who accompanied us says, "If you'd like to hear it again, here's a link     from her Instagram account: (Different performance. Same song.)         https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVwBzmwDHb_/

The exterior of the building had a whole new tone when we left. I'm still not a fan, but it was definitely interesting.

Tomorrow is a free day to wander Paris and we certainly took advantage of it.