High Notes

Sunday I met my friends from the Army and we went to dinner at a Catholic church near Itaewon.  On Sunday, they do a real Italian dinner, everything is included in one price.  When we arrived, we found a seat and they brought us bowls of penne pasta in a bolognese sauce with cheese on top.  Very tasty.  Once empty, our bowls were collected and plates were brought to us.  We were served rosemary roasted chicken, rosemary roasted potatoes (they must have cooked those together, what do you think), sauteed spinach with garlic, salad and bread.  Everything was absolutely delicious.  For dessert they brought us some yummy homemade tiramisu.  We were all in heaven.  We got to eat with forks and knives and that was a treat too. 

While we were finishing up our dinner, a lady from a nearby table came over and said she had an extra ticket to a concert on Monday night and wouldn't be able to use it.  We accepted and the ticket was pushed my way.  Sure...why not. 

 
After teaching, I came home, changed into something more appropriate for a concert and went to the Seoul Art Center.  It's many subway stops away from me and a short bus ride.  What a beautiful building.  It not only houses the concert hall, opera house, but the school of design, and a couple of other artsy venues.  The entrance way is lined with restaurants and snack-type shops (ice cream, wine, buffets).  I had to go through the entry way to the other building for the concert hall.  Along the hallway are quotes from awesome musicians.  Then outside, there is a "dancing fountain."  The fountain is choreographed to the music...apparently they publish the music schedule and people come to this plaza with the fountain just to enjoy the music and the water.  It was really beautiful.

The concert was actually the classical soprano recital of Ji Hyun Park.   Her program included Mozart, Elgar, Strauss, Adam, Rachmaninov (I didn't know you could sing Rachmaninov), Leoncavallo, Giordano (thought this was only pizza and clothing stores in Korea), and Donizetti.  She was accompanied by a live orchestra, the venue was absolutely beautiful, and the seats were comfortable...not too crowded.  I was surprised to see children (under the age of 16) fill the row in front of me.  They were with their moms...but actually seemed to be enjoying the program.  The soprano had a beautiful voice...although she makes funny faces when she has to hit the really high notes.  I think that she also "la la la'd" through one of the songs...did she forget the words?  Did it have no words?  And, I couldn't tell what language she was singing in...although I think at least one piece was being sung in Korean. 

Anyway...I enjoyed the live music...but was compelled to leave at intermission.  Besides, the woman next to me had some sort of throat thing going on and she kept tearing pieces of paper, folding them into a cone shape, and then spitting into it.  It was SUPER disgusting.  I was totally grossed out.  Once...it was icky.  Twice, three times, four times...I had to go!

I think I'll enjoy the next World Cup game more.  LOL.  Have a good day!