Jan 25, Day 15, Mozart and Pizza

Yesterday I thought about going into Milan for an aperitivo/Italian lesson, but wasn’t sure if there was one, so ended up back home. After a brief dinner, I was going to head out to see the new 007: Casino Royale (yes, it’s dubbed in Italian so get’s the Italian spelling) at 8:30. I misread the schedule and found that the movie was starting at 10:30. Since there’s only 1 auditorium, the other film was a half hour into it, and I had not interest in seeing it anyway. So I left somewhat disappointed and walked south rather aimlessly trying to figure out what I to do with myself.

I came up to the city theater, and decided to take a look at the schedule of events. However, I was told there is no publicized schedule of events. (I suppose it’s a cultural thing.) Nevertheless, there was a show playing tonight. I interpreted the program to be the Milan Symphony playing Verdi, and bought a ticket for 10 euros. After I had taken my seat in an auditorium slowly filling with elderly folk, I took a closer look at the program to find that I was actually going to hear a quartet playing Mozart-Clementi’s 40th and 41st symphonies. This was fine because I think Verdi is mostly an opera writer, and I like Mozart’s 40th. Further inspection of the program said that the violinist would be playing a 1703 Stradivarius Violin. (!)

I think this was my first time hearing an instrument that was made before the United States was recognized as a country –And one that is probably valued in the same price range as a Ferrari. (I’m gonna need someone to check my estimations on that one.) To be honest, I thought the sound this relic was a little mellow for my tastes. Sure it could sing as sweet as…(looking for a word…) ambrosia? –I’ve never tried it. But it didn’t seem to rise to the occasion when it was time to belt it out. Maybe I just need to sit closer-- or adjust my hearing.

In any case, it made me miss playing with a group, and brought back some old memories.

I remember walking back thinking I had some more interesting commentary for you, but I went to bed, and now I can’t remember what I wanted to write about other than that I was probably the youngest one in the theater besides the flute player by 15 years, and probably 35 below than the median age. Now I don’t want you to think I’m complaining about not being old. Quite the contrary; I just wish I had more contact with other young professionals.

Tonight I was supposed to go for a pizza with a couple guys from work, but they’re now 25 minutes late, and I’m beginning to wonder if I’m going to be eating the pizza by myself. But I think I’m making the adjustment of returning to solitary life quite well. At first it was difficult. Coupled with the gloomy weather, I was going bananas by having nothing to do, and no one to keep me company while I did it. I think it’s strange to live on a planet suffering from overcrowding yet feeling pretty alone out here.

Time to go for the Pizza. I’ll continue this later.


Pictures of Pavia