Zorba Ballet

Do you remember the 1964 film classic, "Zorba the Greek," adapted from Nikos Kazantzakis' novel of the same title? The film was a role-defining achievement for Anthony Quinn, who played Alexis Zorba, the high-spirited Greek peasant, who teaches a studious young man the dance of life - a.k.a. the film's philosophic anthem for the joy of living - set on the beautiful backdrop of the island of Crete.  Following the film's popularity came the musical and ballet adaptations. Last month I was fortunate to have attended the latter, titled "Zorba."  The Cairo Ballet Dance Company did an excellent job, and I was swept away with the music and the magesty of the performance. While I couldn't take pics at the ballet, I found a film clip of Zorba's famous dance for your viewing pleasure. OPAAA!

Andrea Bocelli Concert at the Cairo Pyramids!

The Ticket.

Andrea Bocelli performed at the Cairo pyramids on September 25, 2010 --- AND YOURS TRULY WAS THERE! I was so excited to be part of that magical night. I missed his concert when he performed at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy when I lived there in 2005. To miss seeing the world's biggest selling solo artist in the history of classical music perform at the world's oldest and still active opera house was one of the biggest regrets I ever had. I made a promise to myself that should another iconic venue come up with him performing at it and me nearby, then I would be there no matter what! Hence, Andrea Bocelli performed at the Cairo pyramids---- AND YOURS TRULY WAS THERE!

The Billboard.



The line forming up to the Sound and Light Theatre at the Pyramids.



The symphony and choir came out first, and a hush fell over the audience.

The Great Pyramid and the Sphinx lit up in dramatic colors to coincide with the moods and rhythms of the music.

And then the great tenor appeared on stage, and immediately enthralled the audience. 

The Finale.

The concert was 2 hours long, and was marvelously accompanied by Mr. Bocelli's traveling soprano, alto, and violinist.  After the finale, Andrea Bocelli performed 5 encores that pleased the audience, and left them begging for more.

The Programs.

Enjoy an Andrea Bocelli classic below: Con Te Partiro. 

Little Mermaid at Tivoli Gardens

 The highlight of my evening was visiting Tivoli Gardens, or rather "Tivoli," as it was commonly referred to by the locals. Tivoli is the second oldest amusement park in the world. It opened on August 15, 1843 and offers something for all ages with its amusement rides, 42 restaurants, concert halls and theaters for performance arts venues. 

 





This year Tivoli featured a special visitor: Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid statue!

The Little Mermaid statue is Denmark's most visited site. Go figure that it would be on loan to China's Shanghai Expo while I was visiting! Ugh. It normally sits on Copenhagen's harbor, but while the statue was out of the country, a replica of it was appropriately placed in the fairy tale village of Tivoli. 

I always thought Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid fairy tale was so sad! It was interesting visiting Denmark, and having a sense of realism uncloud the fairy tale dust. As I walked around the places that Ariel could have walked when she came looking for her prince, it gave me a sense of connection to the story. 




Just a swingin'.


The Demon.



Caught a ballet performance at the Pantomime Theatre. The peacock's feathers were a mechanical curtain and it opened slowly to reveal a dimly lit stage behind it.  The ballet troupe performed Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, and it was fantastical!



 I thought this fountain was magical at night!

     

Pagoda Restaurant.

Middle Eastern Restaurant.

There were so many restaurants to choose from  for the international palette. To my delight I discovered a Wagamama there! Wags is a ramen noodle bar that is VERY popular in Europe. I first whetted my appetite for it in Amsterdam, and was EXCITED to find another one in Copenhagen!

Behold the Noodle Dream. Yummy spicy beef n' ramen. Mnnnnn... what a way to end my first day in Copenhagen!

My First Opera Experience: Aida!

On Friday evening, I got guzzied up and attended the opera "Aida" at the Cairo Opera House with a friend. While I had attended several events at the opera house, I had actually never attended an opera there. In fact, this was my FIRST opera experience EVER. Ironically, the backdrop of my first opera was set in Egypt, where I just happened to live... so needless to say, it was a memorable experience for me.



We arrived there a little early with the intention of touring the Ministry of Egyptian Modern Arts building, which shared the manicured compound of the Cairo Opera House. I had wanted to see the art work inside, but it was not meant to be that evening because it was closed by the time we arrived. I did admire the tower-like minaret behind it. At night it lit up brightly like a bejeweled Christmas tree. It was truly beautiful! During prayers, the minaret is one of many that amplifies chants from the Qur'an (Islamic Holy Book) that is heard widely throughout Cairo.



We spent the remaining time walking leisurely on the well-kept lawn, and admiring the exhibited art work.







And then we hurried to the opera house across the way to find our seats!





Overall, Aida was fantastic! The pharoanic costumes and set designs were brilliant, and the singing was superb as it swept the audience through 4 dramatic acts. In true operatic fashion, "Aida" was sung in Italian, but I was able to follow it fairly well. Thankfully, I read the storyline beforehand! "Aida" was an ill-fated love story set in ancient Egypt about a pharoanic military commander and a captured Ethiopian slave girl. Unbeknownst to the military commander and pharoah (Egyptian king), the slave girl Aida was the daughter of the king of Ethiopia who was warring against Egypt. Events became more dramatic when pharoah promised his own daughter's hand in marriage to the military commander. Already in love with Aida, who returned his love passionately, he betrayed his country by helping her escape. He eventually was captured and sealed in a vaulted tomb alive. Thinking that Aida was safely back with her father, he was surprised to discover that she had hidden herself in the tomb to die with him. The opera ended with the lovers dying in each other's embrace amid operatic arias and intense orchestral music. Truly a powerful ending!

Attending the Carmen Ballet

Tonight I attended a Spanish dance company's (Antonio Gades) performance of Carmen. Ironically, Carmen is ranked as the fourth most performed opera in America, but this particular interpretation focused on the dance.

The story is about a wanton, fiery tempered gypsy named Carmen, who freely gives her love in the backdrop of Seville, Spain circa 1830. She woos a young soldier named Don José away from his current love. Smitten with the alluring gypsy, he incites a mutiny against his military superior, and joins a gang of smugglers. When Carmen grows tired of Don Jose' and shifts her attention to a handsome bullfighter named Escamillo, Don Jose' murders Carmen in a jealous rage.

The energy of the performance was palpable as the Spanish Co. performed Flamenco dances with quick footed ease and energetic hand clapping. The performance was NOT a ballet. It was "Lord of the Dance" meets Flamenco. However, it was entertaining and culturally enriching. In the background, Spanish acoustic guitars were strummed with crescendoed fervor, and there was even singing! It was minimal at best, but was intermixed during the climatic build up of Flamenco foot stomping. Did I enjoy the performance? Yes. Did I love it? Well, let's just say that the operatic version would have been better. As I filed out of the Opera House, I admired the water fountain in the outer lobby that was still adorned in holiday cheer. I found it pleasantly uplifting and for some reason prompted me to hum the theme song as I headed out the door. Hmnn mmmn hmnnn mmnnnn......

Christmas Trees Around The World

Inadvertently, I get holiday fwd's that make it to my inbox, and to most I give appreciative pause or spontaneous chuckle, but to this one I gave a long collective sigh. It was because of this response that I decided to share it with you, my fellow bloggers. I have altered it somewhat if you've seen this already for I found it a bit long. If you have Christmas music handy, play "Oh Christmas Tree" while scrolling down. Enjoy!

The first Christmas tree I saw in an Islamic country was at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Cairo, Egypt.

A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo, Japan's night time neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreens, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.

Before the ball drops in Times Square, the Big Apple turns on its holiday charm with the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut from the Sumava Mountains of the Czech Republic.

Ooh la la, Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, France even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

Venice, Italy's Murano Island is renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork. It is also home to the tallest glass Christmas tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, this artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on January 7th. Weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under
the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir tree.

The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid 's two-week celebration makes a millionaire out of the merrymakers. On December 22nd, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal . Thousands of lights adorn the tree adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the shining Christmas tree is a modern marvel for an ancient city.

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree"..... even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel Alps, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight!

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer - Frankfurt, Germany's City Hall since 1405 - and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, DC, is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. school children. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 United States.

A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.