.: so comes snow after fire :.

On Monday I had a most wonderful evening: a dear friend invited me to a night at the Opera! At the La Fenice theater, the Opera Theater here in Venice, where I hadn't been in years. The philharmonic orchestra there played pieces by Béla Bartók, Johann Strauss and Leoš Janáček (here's the poster), and it was absolutely magical. The Strauss one was especially loved, and after that the soloist came back on stage and played a wonderful improv with four other musicians, who answered his variations in kind. It was so unexpected and lovely, and funny. Everyone loved it, although we were all really surprised, it was quite unexpected. :D



Here's a picture I took before I had to turn the phone off, the musicians hadn't come out yet. We counted 75 of them, a full orchestra, something very rare indeed! They even had one of them playing the tubular bells! I knew of them, but I had never heard them, and they sound exactly like church bells, to the point that more than once I thought the sound was coming from outside. :D

When we came out it was 10 pm, and we had a lovely walk through the quiet, dark streets: no tourists at that hour, it was almost like it used to be when I was a kid, clean and peaceful. It was the city like it should be, but sadly isn't any more.

Sort of on topic, because Venice plays a huge part in this as well, to those of you who haven't watched Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell yet, you should really, really do it. I can't recommend it enough. At first simply because it was one of my favourite novels, but after a couple of episodes it became clear this show is a beautiful masterpiece in its own right. Everything about it is perfectly crafted, the world feels alive, the magic real, and the acting is superb. Do yourself a favour and check it out, and be ready because it'll blow your mind. *_____*

It's such a beautiful day today, sunny and hot, like summer! I'm leaving the house at noon, and that means it's time for a short skirt, and let those milky white legs get some sun! :D My therapist just called me, and she told me it's so hot downtown I should definitely wear sandals. Yesssss.

In other news, here's a random picture I took yesterday for a friend, to show her what happens when I try to read on the couch in the living room:



I'm a guest in my own house. :D

In other-other news, we have a date for the Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell premiere: 17/05. That's way earlier than I thought! I truly can't wait, although that means I won't be able to re-read the book before the show starts. Oh well, maybe it's for the best, sometimes reading a book just before watching the tv/movie adaptation ruins the experience.

As you can probably tell, I'm in a exceptional good mood. No particular reason why, I just feel very positive lately. ^^

Just finished Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. It is, hands down, one of the best books I have ever read. It's an historical novel, a tale about magic, a story of a nameless slave and a raven king, it has enchantments, cruel fairies, lost roads, practical magic, potions of madness. It's set in London, Spain, Waterloo, Venice and in Faerie. It tells of friendships and rivalries, of love and hatred, of lost kingdoms, pipers and bells.

Do read it, and be ready to be taken on an incredible, breath-taking journey through all the worlds connected by mirrors.

Just finished Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. It is, hands down, one of the best books I have ever read. It's an historical novel, a tale about magic, a story of a nameless slave and a raven king, it has enchantments, cruel fairies, lost roads, practical magic, potions of madness. It's set in London, Spain, Waterloo, Venice and in Faerie. It tells of friendships and rivalries, of love and hatred, of lost kingdoms, pipers and bells.

Do read it, and be ready to be taken on an incredible, breath-taking journey through all the worlds connected by mirrors.