MBF

Thanks to the generosity of friend Marcia who couldn't use her tickets due to a cousins reunion this past Sunday, Natureman and I were able to enjoy the last performance of the summer's 10th annual MBF, Minnesota Beethoven Festival, in Winona's beautiful middle school auditorium.  

During the season there were both returning and new artists contributing to the 10th MBF's success. Among these were the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Nobuyuki Tsuji, Shanghai Quartet, Joshua Bell, The King's Singers, Dale Warland and Festival Chorale, Richard Goode, Michala Petri and Lars Hannibal and Minnesota Orchestra.

Ned Kirk, artistic and managing director welcoming us to the last performance of the MBF

Our seats were terrific, although I don't think there's a bad seat in the place. What a treat to hear the Minnesota Orchestra not only play Beethoven's Overture to Fidelio, Op. 72 (c) but also Concerto C major Op. 56 Triple Concerto with talented special guests, the spirited violinist Nicola Benedetti, the absorbed cellist Leonard Elschebroich along with the artistic director Andrew Litton as conductor and pianist.

I must admit we, unfortunately, had to leave at intermission and missed the Brahm's part of the program and it wasn't due to the young lad on my right (perhaps 5+ years old?) who was a wonderful listener and music aficionado. Considering the majority of the audience was old enough to be his grandparents, kudos to his Mom for exposing him to the arts!  My problem was a recent wasp sting which had left my forearm swollen, accompanied by a searing pain. I had miscalculated the antihistamine's strength and timing and it had worn off.  So, we opted to head home early to the End of the Rainbow Valley. 


Thanks so much for a wonderful summer outing and beautiful music Marcia!