(I’ll continue with the Monday Morning Concert Report, since I know that music is very central to the lives of you and your spouse [and maybe even your dog!!].)

Monday Morning Concert Report: Eighteen Lanes Converge on Lucia. Saturday we attended the live Metropolitan Opera HD transmission of Lucia di Lammermoor at a local movie theater. The stadium seating, excellent sound system, theater is located in the Irvine Spectrum complex, which is just north of where I-5 and I-405 converge in a Y that has, in total, 18 traffic lanes, counting multiple on and off lanes and a carpool “fly-over” bridge. Sort of a bizarre setting for seeing an opera!!

Actually, Alphie would have really enjoyed the opening Scottish woods scene that included two large, live, hounds. Lucia was sung by Ana Netrebko, in great voice. The superstar tenor was ill, replaced by an excellent Polish tenor who is currently in another Met production. (“Netrebko’s Madness” on You Tube will get you to a 10+ minute voice performance of the famous mad scene. Under the “more info” section, you can read an interview with her that first appeared on the Met’s website.)

The production seemed very special to us because of the many creative “stage business” elements that added much to the dramatic element. For example, a large crowd scene with a complex chorale number included a photographer “arranging” key members for a posed picture, and the scene ends with an old fashion “poof” of a flash. Probably the most startling example is when Lucia enters in a bloodied white gown – she comes in on a high runway above the crowd, and shortly after she begins to sing she drops her partially bloodied veil down into the crowd. Everyone on stage jumped, and even I recoiled in my comfortable movie seat.

There were many other great elements, and, the good news is that PBS will rebroadcast all 11 of this season’s HD Metropolitan operas as part of its “Great Performances at the Met” series.

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We’ll be thinking of you as you begin the chemo round. Maybe there will be a little positve leftover from the transfusion that will make it a little easier for you. We hope that our positive thoughts and prayers will keep you, and your dog, and your husband, on an Onward and Upward path.

Warmest best from a very rainy (great!!!) Southern CA,

dick and susan gale