Leaving here on the 28th of July, we spent one day running around London before meeting up with the ACE Study Tour group (Association for Cultural Exchange) which was a joint venture with the Alumni of Cambridge University. Once the group gathered, we winged our way to Zurich where we caught a coach for the 2 hour drive to Bregenz, and then on to Lindau to unpack at our hotel.
From Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August 1, we were treated to a lecture by Lord Alan Watson (former president of Britain's Liberal Party), two operas ("The Passenger" and "The Portait"), a Requiem and a Symphonie (both utilizing the talents of the Vienna Boys Choir) composed by Mieczyslaw Weinberg, a contemporary of Shostakovich. Weinberg, a Polish Jew who escaped from the Nazis to Russia, was encouraged and nurtured by Shostakovich, and while his music has been known in Russia, he's
relatively unknown in the US. His opera, "The Passenger" was one of the most moving experiences I've had -- even if I didn't understand the language! The set design blew me away! And the music was phenominal! The major production we saw was "Aida" utilizing the huge Bregenz Festival floating stage on Lake Constance (Bodensee in German!). The set was enormous and glitzy --
and while I won't go into detail, the production was blantantly anti-American (see review) with very overt references to Abu Ghraib. But as for the glitz and specticle, it succeeded at that. As "luck" would have it, the rains came just at the end of the Triumphal March and the production moved indoors for those with the choice tickets (which we had). So we finished the show on a minimalist staircase staging, with unmiked voices -- and it was MUCH more enjoyable. While I would recommend to anyone a trip to the Bregenz Festival for its Opera, this wasn't the highlight I had anticipated! But the experience of being in Austria and Germany was!
On one afternoon, we made a trip up to Schopperhau, an Austrian Alpine ski area to see an installation of 100 solid cast iron, larger-than-life size figuresby Antony Gromley. While I can't say that I was that impressed by the metal men, I was transfixed by standing at what felt like the top of the world, only a hand reach from God! The most beautiful views I've ever seen!
While in the little town of Lindauwe had the opportunity to walk around and see churches and buildings with the wonderful Austrian/German designs and enjoyed the people, the food, and the scenary.The on-our-own, far-too-quickly ended two days in London at the tail of the trip were filled with seeing the Queen's Gallery (an exhibit on "Albert & Victoria: Art and Love), revisiting St. Paul's Cathedral, attending a Taize service at All Hallow's Church (the oldest in London), a visit to Hampton Court Palace (where we got in on the wedding festivities of King Henry VIII to Jane Parr),
a trip down the River Thames, and LOTS of walking.Trips like this are reminders of how large a world there is out there, and what incredible sights there are to see! As I finish out the days of this sabbatical, I will relish for a lifetime this wonderful experience. God has blessed me with time and energy and the financial support to enjoy sabbatical time and experiences.
The next adventure comes in a few days as I make plans to attend a retreat entitled "Creative Spirit: Paper Arts Collage" at Pendel Hill, a Quaker Retreat Center near Philadelphia.
Until next posting!
Blessings!
Cheryl
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