One of my favorite activities is to go see performances at the UT Performing Arts Center, whether it's theatre, ballet, or opera. Traditionally before I go to a performance, I have dinner at Hyde Park Bar and Grill, one of my favorite Austin restaurants. They have a very eclectic menu, and a small, but excellent wine list. They are famous for their french fries which are served with Hyde Park sauce, a sort of aoli. My favorite dish is the fried artichoke appetizer served with a Chipotle Ranch sauce. They are like little bites of heaven! The Wom Kim's Peach Pudding was also to die for.
Tonight, I went to see Ballet Austin's Carmina Burana. This is normally performed as just an opera, but Ballet Austin has added dance and are taking it on tour to New York. You may not recognize the name Carmina Burana, but I guarantee that you have heard it. The music can be found in about a million movies. It is especially common in battle scenes and is practically a requirement for any movie about Arthurian legend, such as Excalibur. Carmina Burana was composed by Carl Orff from Germany. It is based on a set of poems and songs from the 13th century that were discovered in 1803 in Munich. The set was very dark and sparse, almost elemental. There was a large metallic sculputre, very geometric with harsh angles, that seperated the dancers from the chorus. The dancer's costumes were modern in muted earth tones with just a few interjections of color. Both the dancing and the music were incredible. The music and vocals in this piece are so powerful with a long buildup to a climactic ending. It was thrilling to experience it live. Goosebumps! No one has ever put dance to this piece before, and I thought it was very creative and entertaining. I had a wonderful evening!
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11 comments:
Visiting you from Michele's, Lish. You snuck in front of me and that's a good thing. The entire Purple Elephant thing sounded too much like a bad trip.
Now was that cryptic or what?
I'm glad you enjoy the arts, Lish. I haven't done much in the way of theatre or dance in a good many years now. I used to go frequently but then around my mid-30s I just seemed to stop. I don't know why.
That's because it is a bad trip! Thanks fo visiting me Lish. It's a pleasure to return your visit!
hi! sounds like you had one of them perfect evenings. good entertainment, good food. not much of a ballet fan but i love opera. i would have tried to see it because of that. :)
Here from Michele's & I gotta say....ouch!!! That looks PAINFUL!
I am so jealous that you have so many cool things to do in Austin! We might be moving to Waco, so at least I will be close to Austin!
Sounds like a great night out, Lish.
Echoing Heather...Austin sounds like an awesome place! If I lived in Texas, I would live in Austin ;)
Might be too hot for me, though.
that hide park grill is good, andy and steve took me there once... as for the ballet, mmmmm not really my style, but oh well, YOU ROCK GOOSE!!!!
holy shit goose, you have a TREKY that visits you, you are getting popular!!!! Does he call you spock?
Picard is from Next generation, Craig. Spock wasn't on that one.
Had to comment on this Lish, as Ballet BC also created a ballet around Carl Orff's Carmina Burana - I got a chance to see it last year, along with their rendering of Petruschka. I wonder how the music affected the two choreographers?
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