Saturday, March 24, 2007

A Night at the Minsk Philharmonic(or, a night with Ronald and Natalia)





Culture in Minsk is inexpensive, accessible, and most importantly, world class. Both the Philharmonic Hall and the Ballet/Opera House are first rate venues. The acoustics and sight lines are wonderfully thought out, the seats comfortable, the audiences knowledgeable and enthusisatic.
We've gone several times without our camera, but a few nights ago our friend Natalia, a colleague from the Belarus Academy of Public Administration, joined us, replete with camera and determined to record the evening. We took pictures everywhere!
The evening's featured artist was Ronald Ebrecht, an American organist of note, and consisted of organ masterpieces by Bach, Frank and Jenkins... as well as an unscheduled photo op thanks to Natalia!
At intermission, while some of the audience hovered at the foot of the stage, taking photos as the organist made some adjustments to his instrument. Natalia, taking advantage of the opportunity, sweeping Rena along with her enthusiasm, strode across the stage and asked Mr. Ebrecht if he would pose for us. I hung back, not wanting to be exposed as 'the Ugly American,' but Natalia was not to be denied this evening as we posed for shots with the help of a stagehand (or maybe he was Security-I didn't want to know!).
Anyway, Mr. Ebrecht, in addition to being a magnificent musician, was wonderfully gracious, and we chatted a bit while Natalia, intent on her mission, posed everybody.
In the end, apparently Mr. Ebrecht was pleased to meet another American and the unscheduled encounter with a Belarussian fan. After the show, he spotted us in the Cafe Lido, and made a point of coming over to say hello and to leave his email address so we could send him the pictures.
All in all, a very interesting evening.

1 comment:

V*P said...

Not the best places to visit!..:)