Our next door neighbor, Liesbeth, sings in The Netherland's Concert Chorus and has invited us to come with her to den Haag to perform Beethoven's 9th, which, of course, means the Ode to Joy. We jump at the chance. Today is the 100th anniversary of The Peace Palace and the concert is part of a full day of events with lots of dignitaries from all over. They will be performing the same concert on Saturday in Amsterdam at the Concert Hall for 42 euros apiece as opposed to 8 euros apiece tonight. We think tonight's concert will be so much more special.
She picks us up just before 6:00 and we arrive about 7:00. The concert doesn't start until 8:30, so Linda and I have time for dinner. There are several cafe/restaurants across from the concert hall and we choose the nearest one. We don't want to spend all of our time walking around looking at menus. Since I'm not driving, I order a vodka (for my sore throat, you know) and Linda has a glass of port. For entrees, she gets two baby soles (whole fish, but easy to get to the meat) and I have a schnitzel. Both dishes are presented on a bed of al dente vegetables and a bowl of little potato marbles. All very nice.
With 15 minutes to spare, we walk across the plaza and into the concert hall. Our seats are in the orchestra over to one side a bit, but just fine for a concert. The orchestra is the den Haag Symphony. The hall is newish and modern with stark angles and a functional ceiling with no adornments, just lights and other technical stuff hanging way up there. The balcony is U-shaped like the first balcony at the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall. And, that's where all the VIP's are seated. Even though they have a special entrance they are late and we wait for about 10 minutes.
Before the playing begins, a woman emerges from backstage and welcomes the special guests in English, French, and then Dutch. Part way through her talk, a little old woman sitting on the side balcony starts yelling that she can't hear what the woman is saying. The MC very kindly tells her that she is speaking in 3 languages because of all the special people attending and if she will just wait they will get to the Dutch part. People end up laughing. We don't get any of this immediately. Later, on the drive home, Liesbeth explains what was said.
The first piece is a tribute to Benjamin Britten by a Swedish composer. It was melancholy. Then came the grand 9th in all 4 movements. Maybe I have never heard the entire 4th movement because it was longer than I thought, but beautiful and majestic. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
Dining out and a concert in den Haag an listening to a friend sing - its the good life.
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