At last - my Mecca - Salzburg on a clear day...!

For as long as I can remember, since first hearing the genius music composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, I've been wanting to visit 'his' enchanted city. Many times I was invited to be part of the summer festival, but always an offer from Glyndebourne or some other illustrious festival was confirmed first. So, in my dotage - I've made it - at last ! My first venture to Salzburg was last Christmas, with my Goddaughter Celeste, whilst visting her in Munich - another fascinating city, and we travelled on the excellent Bayerische train inexpensively - a terrific service, with observation type carriages. Trouble was that then it was very overcast and wet, so we didn't see a lot, and I began to think the mountains didn't actually exist - couldn't even see the fortress which dominates the Salzburg skyline - pretty scary place now that I've witnessed it ...My hostess on this occasion was Rosa-Maria Reisinger, a free spirit of a Lady, and very creative artistically - her speciality is angels made of Tiffany class, with crystal heads, wonderful with the light illuminating the beautiful colours of the glass..Rosa-Maria is also an official guide for The Sound of Music Tour ! So of course, the first thing I did, having arrived late on 31/03/04, was to join her at 08.30 on the first of April for the tour, as the guest of her 'boss' Evi... We were joined by a group of English and American tourists - seating capacity on R-M's mini-bus 8 persons, so it was a real opportunity to unite nationalities, and it did ! We all had a great time - and Rosa-Maria must be the finest guide in the city, she was so entertaining and gave us insights into the filming of ' The S. of M,' explaining some of the Hollywood myths ...you'll have to take the tour to find out for yourself, I can give you the 'phone number ....he he hee. Halfway through the tour my mobile ('phone) rang - 'twas the Awesome Anna (Larsson) to invite Rosa-Maria and I to the General Rehearsal of Wagners' "Siegfried" in which she was singing "Erda" with The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Until that moment I hadn't realised it was on that day - at 3 p.m. - you know what singers are like with dates, etc,!?! Rosa - Maria quickly 'phoned her boss to request the afternoon off, and a few minutes later it was confirmed, another driver having been found for the next tour ...phew. We changed, and had a quick lunch, arrived at the Festival Hall with a few minutes to spare, and were treated to 5 hours of a fairly un-adulterated production of "Siegfried" - modern clothes, much cheaper than designer costumes - but I do find it irritating that the surtitles don't match the sung text..I mean, Brunnhilde was wearing a midi - jacket and modern evening dress when her attire is claimed to be - 'a metal breastplate and helmet' - she was not even wearing a hat - and was lying on three saloon type, gilt framed chairs with red velvet seats, and a token small shield lying alongside her - not on a rock ..hmm...Never mind, I've not seen the Woodbird scenes so charmingly played...a beautiful white 'puppet' dove, wheeling, gliding and hovering over Siegfried...Unfortunately, the only voice which was not appropriate to the piece was that of a very shrill (unseen) soprano Woodbird...ouch...Oh for a lyrical Lisa Larsson...Otherwise the cast was exemplary, and Anna gave yet another wonderful rendering of Erda, with Sir Willard White as her excellent Wotan. I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my colleagues from 'way back' ...almost forty years (!) Sir Simon Rattle, conductor - and a more recent 'breather' Katarina Dalayman, an excellent Brunnhilde - much huggin' 'n kissin' all round.. After that, Rosa-Maria and I went 10 pin bowling - with her boss Evi, as arranged before we knew about Siegfried rehearsal...by this time I was a little weary, but not wanting to miss the fun - the only problem was that the bowling ball is rather heavy, and my finger kept being trapped in the hole - couldn't let go - hysterics all round - what a memorable day....mmmm.. so, Dear Friends ...keep breathing...and try the fresh air of Salzburg sometime ....