Categories: austria, postcards
Date: 30 October 2007 22:25:56
While in Vienna, Miss M celebrated her 12th birthday. I asked her what she might like to do or see or have as a present. I thought she might like to go to the ballet as she has dancing lessons - but she chose to go to the opera (clearly more sophisticated than I was at 12!). So I booked tickets to Die Zauberflöte (Magic Flute) at the Volksoper - that's not the really glitzy Staatsoper - and we both enjoyed it very much.
One afternoon, I wandered past the Musikverein and noticed a poster advertising a concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra that evening. I kicked myself because I have friends who play in an orchestra and, brainbox that I am, I can never remember if they are with the Philharmonia or the Royal Philharmonic. I decided to go in and see what I could find out. Much to my surprise the porter said that I could go into the rehearsal if I wanted (clearly no terrorist issues here). I followed his instructions and opened the first door I came to - and nearly walked into the percussion section. I beat a hasty retreat and found another door. I sat in the auditorium and scanned the rows of musicians. And there I espied my friend D. She was busy playing away and concentrating on her music - I was busy * willing * her to look in my direction. There was a loud dramatic part and up stood the percussionists to give it their all - and there was P, D's husband on the cymbals! D eventually glanced over in my direction, ignored me and carried on playing. The next time she looked over her mouth dropped open. “What are YOU doing here?” she mouthed.
I ran to the booking office, bought one of the very last tickets and arranged to meet up with D and P after the concert. We had a wonderful time in a tapas restaurant catching up on lots of news (it must be two years since I last saw them). We couldn't help but marvel at how amazing it was that we should all happen to be in Vienna for that very night as they had arrived only that day - and it was my last evening there.
A wonderful end to a delightful holiday!