Before the opera - a birding wander in Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

As mentioned in yesterday's blog, we had a wander through the Parks before having lunch and then onto the Opera.

The light was dire - even at 9.00 a.m. we questioned whether the sun had actually risen.

There's a huge Christmas fun fair and market going on in Hyde Park and London was heaving with people... I don't like crowds!!

We had a look for the Little and Tawny Owls but today none were out.  The tree normally occupied by the Tawnies was full of about 15 very noisy Parakeets - which may have put them off coming out...

Again, we'd gone armed with sunflower hearts to feed the birds.  It is amazing to have Blue and Great Tits and a Robin come and feed from your hands... marvelous.

In the park a Grey Heron was waiting for some cheery weather as well...

then off to find some lunch and onto the Opera via Trafalgar Square...

A good time out despite the grey...

The Magic Flute - hmmm

Today we were up at the London Coliseum to see the Magic Flute (Mozart) (Simon McBurney's new production) - not an opera I know much about and not that familiar with the music.  I'm quite a fan of Mozart so was looking to be entertained.

The scene setting on the open stage was minimalist to say the least but this was to be the 'base' for some quite clever lighting and special effects.

I have to say, that in its entirety I wasn't that entertained.  It was sung in English, not a problem in itself, but So generally, the dialogue (how literal a translation was it?) was too modern to suit such a story written all those years ago.  I have to say that as an Opera it disappointed - I like the (more traditional) style of La Boheme, La Rondine et al....  story lines I can believe in and performed with pathos and feeling.

There was a great deal of spoken words... could I have more music please?

The character of Papageno (Roland Wood) had a humorous spot in Scene 2 which, in itself was funny and entertaining.  He was also running through the audience at one point with these images projected as a back-drop on the stage... did the front row audience expent to be part of the production I wonder?

Surprisingly there were a few young children (about 10-12) in the audience and in the main, they seemed engrossed.  Not surprisingly during one rather suggestive bit of acting as prospective lovers started undressing ready for..... a young lad sitting next to me turned to his mother (?) and asked 'what are they doing'?   I didn't hear the response :)

Overall, the 'effects' (dark clad actors waving white pieces of paper to resemble birds) were interesting and the suggestion of fire and flood with appropriate sound effects were good and atmospheric.

So, given I've now been to a few operas, I have to admit that this is the first one I haven't enjoyed.  It also over-ran by about 20 minutes which was unusual.  Perhaps it is me?  and that I need to understand opera more before making this observations...

The singing was excellent and the orchestra were on top form.

and the next one?   is Carmen.... something altogether quite different.

Getting a bit stir crazy.. but a few minutes at Petworth Park

I really don't like this time of the year when we get endless day of.... grey and such short hours of daylight!!

I've been a bit house-bound over the last few days - not from choice - but today I just had to get out.  I managed about 3/4 hour this afternoon before the light failed, and headed of to my local, Petworth Park - for the wider view.

The first thing of interest was yew trees full of berries and.... fieldfares... I could see lots of movement in the dense growth and then managed to see a couple of them... wonderful sound..

There were very few people about, so felt as though I had Petworth to myself...

Apart from coots and tufties, there wasn't much other birdlife out on the lake..

And appropriately for this time of the year, huge clumps of mistletoe..

I wasn't entirely on my own  - I did have these two festive guys to keep me company.... :)

Not out for long, but so grateful to have 1/2 an hour out in the fresh air!!!