Feeling rather chuffed that I managed to score a couple of front row seats for Tamerlano in Madrid just after Easter. I did try for a second performance but the site told me I'd exceeded my quota. I did try with a Maestro card but for some reason that didn't work. But that's just greedy wanting two performances anyway. It is said that Plácido will be doing the same role in London, so I shall book multiples there, if poss.
As Real Madrid are at home while we are in the city I thought it might be nice to go to see them in action, but Jimmy declared the tickets way too expensive (twice the price of the opera). Besides, it's not like he ever goes to Crystal Palace, so why on earth would he want to see Real Madrid.
We have a room booked in the Hotel Opera, which is, unsurprisingly, very close to the Teatro Real. And in a novel departure, we will be departing from London City airport in a special aircraft especially designed for STOL. I've never used City so that should be a novelty. I've also realised that Jimmy and I have never been on the DLR together, so our adventures will begin within an hour of leaving home.
Now I need to familiarise myself with Tamerlano, although, frankly, it's Handel, what's not to like? My favourite baritenor singing the baritenor role, a wonderful Baroque conductor, an interesting director. And the opening line of the synopsis on wikipedia appeals to me
The defeated Ottoman Emperor Bajazet is brought in chains...
We've been watching the excellent three-part series on BBC4, The Art of Spain, and I think there's a famous Art Gallery in Madrid, so we have no excuse for not appreciating the sight-seeing. And of course, food is a major attraction to be relentlessly pursued on this long weekend!
(And tomorrow, or sometime soon, I shall round up links from Valencia, Moscow and Doha; I might be strangely taciturn about Hong Kong on Saturday...)
