Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Music
How can we NOT LOVE mister Rogers' neighborhood? And for those of us who grew up on it, THE MUSIC....simply written and sung by Fred Rogers himself on the show, and gently and beautifully embellished by Johnny Costa, the jazz pianist.
One of my very first jobs in Pittsburgh was at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum, where the touring exhibit Mister Rogers' Neighborhood originated while I was on staff. A player piano sat in the corner, playing the improvisations on Fred's tunes. A special treat would be when Joe Negri and his jazz combo would play for a special event, Mr. McFeely would visit with children on the trolley, or the sudden hush when the man himself, Mr. Rogers, would visit with the children after attending a meeting with administrators.
Which brings me to yesterday...and the fun, musical times we spent with Maggie and Chuck at Lisa and Ken's home.
All these wonderful people...I feel honored to have spent time with each and every one of these talented, gifted, and truly nice individuals from the Mister Rogers show.
Labels: Choir, dreams, friends, museum, music, niece and nephew, opera, Pittsburgh, thankfulness, work
The Grapes of Wrath, Les Triplettes de Belleville
After work, I went to an opera lunch hosted by Annabelle and Linnea of Pitt Arts. Opera Lady (Beth Parker) was there, as was Ricky Ian Gordon, who wrote the music for The Grapes of Wrath, playing this season at the Pittsburgh Opera. We were treated to a number of musical selections from this opera/musicalische, as well as lunch trays of sliced meats and cheeses with salads. Roberta and I chatted before the luncheon, were joined by Ethan, and enjoyed talking to Ricky after the talk. It turns out he knows and has worked with a family friend, J.
Soon after I drove to physical therapy for about an hour of exercises with the physioball and the usual pool exercises. It always feels like flying in the pool! I stopped by the library and picked up a number of DVDs and VHS tapes to watch. Before and after dinner I watched The Triplets of Bellville, a movie that Susan E. recommended to me. Absolutely lighthearted and suspenseful at the same time!
Labels: art, Atlantic Ocean, Carnegie, cinema, dining, dog, exercise, library, Mozart, opera, pool, water exercise
Samson et Dalila
After dining on salmon with avogolemeno soup and the signature dessert dish at Christos with Tom for dinner, we headed to the Benedum Center to hear the pre-show opera talk by the Opera Lady. We were prepared for a real treat, and were happy to hear it tonight.
The part played of the High Priest of Dagon was acted by Kim Josephson and sung from the orchestra pit by Mark S. Doss. The role of Samson was sung by Frank Porretta, and Dalila's part was richly sung by the mezzo voice of Stephanie Blythe. The choreography by Attack Theatre was appropriately suggestive in the dance sequences.
We enjoyed the opera, as well as seeing and meeting some of my friends: Michael from choir, and Tim from the Carnegie Library, with whom I chatted briefly; and seeing Tom's neighbor, who was in the chorus. We caught the bus back and Tom stopped by work on his way home. I continued to Mom and Dad's house.
Labels: Carnegie, dance, dining, friends, opera, weather, work
Linda Mini-Reunion
Yesterday Linda arrived for a mini-reunion with Charles, William, and I. We chatted at my home soon after she arrived, and had lunch with Charles at a Pan Asian restaurant. Charles treated us to the Carnegie International 2008, as well as to the rest of the Museum of Art and Natural History. After some more time chatting at home, we were treated by Charles and Susan for dinner at Casbah. I had the beet salad with oil, vinegar, lemon oil and fennel; as well as the sumac scallops floating on baba ghanoush. We had chocolate filled with peanut butter for dessert ("Buckeyes!")
All of us headed to the Squonk Opera open-air concert Astro-Rama in Schenley Plaza, where we met up with William. We enjoyed the lit Cathedral of Learning, and headed to my home for some hot apple pie with whipped cream and with ginger tea (salabat). Tom met up with us and we all enjoyed conversation with all present. Linda and I enjoyed the first 1/2 hour of Saturday Night Live after everyone else departed.
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Today Linda and I had a sweet and savory breakfast of: eggs with cheese crackers and salsa, toast with maple butter, and dark grape juice. After chatting a bit more, I went to choir practice at the Cathedral, and the choir sang noon Mass with Bishop Paul Bradley (concelebrating with Fr. Breier and Fr. Schreck).
We sang:
How Firm a Foundation
Proulx's Gloria from a Carillon Mass (and acclamations)
Guimont's Psalm 96
Berthier's Alleluia Gospel Acclamation
Hassler's Cantate Domino for the Preparation of Gifts
Communion Hymns--I Received the Living God (don't pop the joy!!) and
Elgar's Ave Maria
Recessional Hymn--Rejoice! The Lord is King
After Mass, Linda, Nancy, and I dined at Victor's restaurant, opting for the buffet, and listened to Nancy's ideas for Hallowe'en afterwards. We chatted at my home for a while, and then Linda departed, Nancy and I went to retrieve her jacket, and Nancy and I chatted for a bit...until she departed to see the Cathedral of Learning lit up.
Labels: art, biology, Carnegie, Choir, Church, dining, friends, home, light, Marietta, Mass, museum, opera, Pittsburgh, school, singing, St. Paul Cathedral, TV
Dining out, Newman Center Faith Sharing
Mom, Dad, William, and I enjoyed dining out at Wai Wai. The lunch boxes were a great deal, and we ordered three and the seafood platter and shrimp lo mein. De-Lish! I talked about going to the opera with my work buddy for the first opera of the season.
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After a much-needed nap, I walked to the Newman Center for Faith Sharing. Jose led the group, Karina, Fabiola, Andy, Kyle and his friend EJ, and a newcomer, Joey, all spent an hour praying a novena and in faith-sharing. We were invited by Fr. Dave to the build-your-own taco dinner (with delicious cheesecake nibbles). Ingrid from choir said, "Hi," and I asked her if she intended to become an RD. She said yes, but said that she would not be returning to choir. We called Maureen, and she joined us at the tail end of our discussion about the Pauline year Eucharistic adoration and meeting a life partner with Fr. Dave.
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After saying our farewells, Maureen, Karina, Jose, and I all skipped out to Dozen (THE cupcake shop) in Lawrenceville for coffee, cupcakes, and pastries. I opted away from the red velvet cupcake for the cinnamon bun rated "the best in Pittsburgh," and took half of it home for Mom and Dad.
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Mom and I watched (alternately) "I Love Lucy" (the diner episode) and "The Sound of Music" when I arrived home. Dad watched sports. It was time to go home.
Labels: cinema, dining, family, friends, international culture, list, love, music, opera, St. Lucy
Pittsburgh Opera--Ormindo
7:47 am, Wednesday
This past Friday a group of us choristers obtained tickets to Ormindo, an opera infrequently performed and recorded. The lead character Ormindo was played by Mr. Arthur Espiritu. Espiritu is a talented Filipino-American tenor who is in residence at the Pittsburgh Opera.
It was delightful that so many of us choristers could attend the performance of Ormindo. We truly enjoyed it, and were delighted by the lilting pace of the story in the first act, and enchanted by the operatic antics in the second act. The chamber-music-like accompaniment was unique in an opera.
This was certainly a rare opportunity to enjoy this particular opera.
We headed to Dawes on Ninth after the show to enjoy appetizers and drinks, and some of us to enjoy dancing with a friend of the barkeep.
Labels: friends, opera, singing
