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| First (and last) concert with Orquesta de Barro |
It is sometimes painful to realize that things are just not
working. The Orquesta de Barro gave an
excellent concert last Wednesday (Wed 6) but the journey to get there and the stressful
circumstances surrounding my refusal to participate in the Camerata Arpegio
inaugural concert last night (Sat 9) have convinced me this was not a “marriage
made in heaven”. I know I do not come
out of this looking good but I hope that lessons are learned - just too frustrated by lack of support, poor attendance at rehearsals and carping criticism.
I was feeling very stressed, disillusioned with the whole thing as there was a real clash between me, the German volunteers, and the students. I sent my resignation letter to the Arpegio director last Friday and already I am back to feeling less stressed. We live and learn, and organisations lacking leadership and youth orchestras are definitely no longer my forte.
I was feeling very stressed, disillusioned with the whole thing as there was a real clash between me, the German volunteers, and the students. I sent my resignation letter to the Arpegio director last Friday and already I am back to feeling less stressed. We live and learn, and organisations lacking leadership and youth orchestras are definitely no longer my forte.
And tough and selfish as it maybe I am now listening to my
body and simply won’t tolerate stress anymore as it makes me feel physically
sick, unable to sleep and unable to think!
Happily I had Nick to support and comfort me and I had the welcome distraction of cooking as we welcomed Maestro Alvarez as our first supper
guest; made especially touching be the
fact that Maestro Alvarez commented that he felt that already he was in home
not merely a house!
But I get ahead of myself…so back two weeks
….. finding the Mott-Tirado abode!
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| On the balcony overlooking avenida España |
Having failed to get a couple of apartments Nick went on a
flat hunt via the web …. and what a result!
Yey!
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| Our flat is on the top floor |
To cut a long story short, we both liked one particular flat
and because I had rehearsals Nick went to see it alone with the agent, and came
back simply describing it in one word: “amazing!” He arranged a second viewing and interview
with the owner and I was just stunned by the place and knew within two seconds
we had to have it. Even though for a first place it is too big and maybe too
grand (can it be too grand?) But the
rent was the same as much smaller flats and the location perfect both for Nick
to get to work and for me to get to the Conservatoire – (it is just four blocks
walk).
Fortunately the owner turned out to be the cousin of my good
friend Vicky from the Conservatoire so that helped clinch the deal! So
contracts were drawn up, signed and notarised – a surprisingly quick process
and we were given keys to be able to access the flat to move in furniture etc.
a week before our official moving date of November 1. The flat comes with entry phone, cable TV and
internet both fixed-line and Wifi!
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| Nick assembling some office furniture for the study. |
Well, of course, I was on the journey to lead a simple life,
and be a nomad, but “fate/life/karma” dictated otherwise – very happily – and
so the last two weeks have been a whirlwind of spending as we were moving into
a completely empty flat and everything needed to be purchased. There is no e-bay, or second-hand market
here, so it all had to be bought “new” – the design of the flat meant that we
needed to go modern and so countless trips to the shopping mall, and some good
luck on discounts and reductions meant that by November 2nd I could move despite
the cooker, fridge and suite not arriving until November 5. Nick moves in
shortly.
I made this short "through the keyhole" video of the flat .......
Yet again I am thankful for my private pension, which thanks
to some profit taking, gave the funds for the spending spree.
Happy. Happy, happy.
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| Credo! |
Already we are planning some lovely dinner parties and evenings
of DVD’s on the 50” TV with additional
sound system! (Well somebody does like
to watch his sport and I am hoping that the Six Nations will be available on
our cable!)
As we have acres of wall space and a spare bedroom, so, I plan
to start painting again and in my minds eye I see some large bold abstract
paintings adorning the walls ……..
In the middle of all this, I had my concert with the
Symphony Orchestra and it was a splendid evening with the orchestra responding
to the challenges of the programme, which included the following first performance
by up-and-coming composer Elizabeth Gil Diaz: a wonderful modern work and so
different to the orchestra’s more traditional usual programme.
I was extremely fortunate to have both a article promoting the concert in the regional newspaper ......
and also a Sunday special interview on the Sunday after the concert, which I gave in my very best/worst Spanglish (though I have to say more Spanish than English actually!!!!!)
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| Click link below to read the article! |
So one door closes (Arpegio) as another door opens (the
flat), and yet another revolves as the relationship with the Symphony Orchestra evolves! And the front door heralds a new chapter of my life as Nick and I turn the flat into
our home.
But I have to see if I can augment my pension a little bit
…… Thankfully, with my certificate to teach English to Speakers of Other
Languages (TESOL) I am going to offer my services to some of the local English
Schools especially one, just 100 yards from the front door which teaches
British English!
Today I am contemplating the luxury of an almost traditional British Sunday lunch with chicken, home cooked roast potatoes and loads of green veggies!!!!
More soon...... probably after my next Symphony Concert on 25th November which is a celebration of music and musicians!
But finally, a picture of the judges and winners from the National Singing Competition!
