The Romanian Baroque Orchestra

Directed by Alison Bury of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightement http://www.oae.co.uk/default.asp a mixed cast of Romanian and other European musicians brought a night of absolute bliss to the audience at the Brussels Saint Michel Saint Gudule Cathedral. Vivaldi, Corelli, Sartorius, Biber and Bach a superb program and world class sound. 

Mihaela Ursuleasa and Cristian Mandeal

A night of Romanian musicians in Brussels. 

George Enescu Philharmonic at Flagey

George Enescu Philharmonic and its director Cristian Mandeal in a program of Rachmaninov, Chopin and Enescu at Flagey. Symphonic dances is a favourite of mine and GEP interpretation of Rachmaninov's is there with the best. While Mihaela Ursuleasa's version of Chopin second piano concerto is not making it to the list of my favourite ones the concert was nevertheless a succes and a nice experience overall. 

Camus The First Man I

A week after Dan Puric's Don Quixote yet another Romanian production in Brussels on the stage of Bozar. This time the world premiere of an excellent play on the basis of Albert Camus "The First Man". Directed by Catalina Buzoianu it brought together an international cast of Romanian and French actors. The fact the Maia Morgenstern, a personal favourite among Romanian actors held the mother's role just made it better. I still like Maia very much as an artist despite here rather questionable and to me a bit lame defence of its acceptance of the role of Mary in the infamous Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of the Christ". Her interpretation of Lola Lola (Asta seara Lola Blau) was outstanding. But back to the play, entirely played in French on the basis of Camus original text it was an impressive rendition of the torments and visions of "The Pest's" author. The unruly leftist writer left nobody indifferent and managed to piss all off without being a radical himself. This book is so rich in that only apparently detached humanism that suffuses his entire work. Many years have passed since I red something by him and after last week's play I felt compelled to go out and buy the book. Here is a review by the NYT of the same English edition I bought from Waterstones:
http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/12/14/home/camus-firstman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin




 

Camus The First Man II

 

Camus The First Man III

 

Camus The First Man IV