Of course, no Mozart concert would be complete without Papageno.
We loved the lighting on the hall as we left the concert.
It is the morning of July 7th and we leave Vienna for a 45 minute drive to the tiny town of Eisenstadt, the location of the Estrhazy Palace. It always amazed me that our entire orchestra, parents and instruments fit comfortably into one double decker bus with a trailer.
Every concert was a major production involving transportation and set up of drum set, timpani, basses, a tuba and keyboards. I was usually in charge of getting the musicians ready and making sure everyone had black socks on and bow ties were on straight.
The Esterhazy Palace was built in the 13th century as a summer residence for the Hungarian Esterhazy royal family. Eisenstadt is a small village, everyone came to hear us play.
We once again adjusted to the acoustics in this new environment. The Haydn Hall was spectacular in its beauty and sound. What an experience to play 2 works of Joseph Haydn in the very hall in which he composed and performed.
This is the view of the Haydn Hall from the stage. Joseph Haydn worked for the Esterhazy family for almost 40 years and composed many of his works while living at the palace.
It was difficult to stay focused on the rehearsal with such beauty all around us.
The colors and quality of the ceiling paintings were wonderful!
Christopher performs the Marcello Oboe Concerto in C Minor in this magical place. He played beautifully, and the balance between the oboe and the strings was perfect. Although Christopher tells me that he gets nervous when performing a solo, he always seems so calm and professional on stage. It is hard to believe that he is only 11! His only complaint is that he gets so hot in his tuxedo.
