Gerontius part 2: the end.

Gerontius review 23rd November 2008.

Sunday 16th
Arrived in Sydney for the first rehearsal in the afternoon, and introduction to Mr Ashkenazy, at the Ultimo ABC Centre. The rehearsal seemed quick, and it was evident that it was going to sound great, large, open and fulfilling. After the rehearsal, the chorus went to Chinatown for a beer and long soup. I had a quick beer and then rode Robespierre's german bike back to Leichhardt; tough going.

Monday 17th
All day free; a lovely experience. That is something I would like to achieve in my lifetime: days free to do what I wish. I think I would head off on my bike and ride to Devonport, catch the ferry, and ride to Cape York, over the islands and then back again.

In the evening our first rehearsal in the Opera House Concert Hall. I hadn't been in that hall before (although had been in the Opera Chamber). It is large, light, and seems to go on for ever into the last back seats. The maze of corridors behind the scene, and the green room dining room is very interesting - although I travelled the halls a few times, I remain disoriented. It is engaging to see all the different performers together - there were 3 or 4 different shows in production, ballet, humour, concert and opera.

The first time on stage, and awesome (so overused but here appropriate) it was. I was struck by the moment, and somehow detached between mind and body. I had calm, as there was only the necessity to what I could. I had no fear of error, although there was going to be some. Each practice enhanced understanding, and working with the orchestra finally made it much easier as our notes could be gleaned from particular instuments.

Finished up about 10pm and drove to Robs for dinner and sleep.

Tuesday 18th
Lazy morning, afternoon siesta, and drive into the Opera House for the final run through rehearsal.

Wedensday 19th
Performance number 1. In retrospect (well, it has to be, one can't comment on a performance before it has occured) there were stages when the chorus was utterly lost, and had to find feet from the same void in which poor Gerontius was floating. The audience was right on our shoulder, and I had the back left spot in the choir. The Bass soloist started right on my shoulder, and his power and voice gave me confidence to strike out and sing with gusto. The indications from Mr Ashkenazy were musical rather than direct, and we had to find our own way with entrys, consequently some uncertainty.

Afterwards had a couple of wines with Don Church and his family and Dianne, and Meggs in the House Bar (downstairs outside) very pleasant, and then when we went home, a storm erupted and I got drenched. Lots of fun though!

Thursday 20th
Big day for the 2nd performance. A general lack of certainty by the choir and chorusmasters that the performance on Wednesday night was good enough, so an important feeling all round that, somehow, we must try harder and give a better result. Some degree of expression that the Maestro's indications of his interpretation were generally difficult to follow; as for me, I have to admit to an even worse sin - still needing to read the score closely, so missing some of his indications, vague as they might have been. But to the extent that I can express an opinion, I found it difficult to get indications from Vlad. However, the orchestra being a conduit for Mr Ashkenazy, gave plenty of indication as the orchestration interwove with the singing.

Took a relaxing day. Picked up the 'girls' - Andy, Sarah and Camille from the airport at about 9.30am, and went for a drive to Bondi, a walk around the promenade, then to Kings Cross and likewise a walk around. Then back to Robert's for a rest and mental preparation.
Robespierre took us all to the SOH about 5.30pm, ready for my rehearsal at 6.30pm.

Anticipation again.

Such a terrific experience to be able to do something like this a second time: much better performance. It all stuck together, although I suspect the choir was a little sung out, so not as 'loud' as the evening before. The audience loved it, and all were happy.

We had a patching session afterwards for an hour or so, and redid bits which needed fixing for the recording. Quite humourous and enjoyable, Mr Ashkenazy showed his evident sense of humour and love of music. I overheard him talking with my aunt (she playing viola in the SSO) and saying "I know how to make an orchestra happy, let them go early!"

Afterwards, with the relief of finishing, and having the company of my kids, Andy and Rob, we enjoyed a chat at the bar, and home for a deep sleep.


Friday 21st
After a late night chatting with Andy and Robert in the warm night at Leichhardt, finished sometime about 2.15am, after the 2nd performance at the Opera House, but feeling bouyant from that business, Camille and I left Robert having a 'mental health day' in the upstairs, Andy and Sarah snoring on the airbed, and we headed off to Parramatta for Nell's school State final year 11/12 debates. it seemed very well organised, and after sorting things and teams out the debate got going about 11am, and went to about 1230hrs. 3 on each team, all girls, and very spirited attacks on each other, adjudicators, and a bit of an audience, in a school room, it was stimulating, and they did a very good job. Grace, ? and Nell, with one of the girls mums, and the teacher (Paddy - or Padriag). Was an enjoyable morning, hot outside. We had a post mortem, congratulated the other team, who happened to win, and then Nell and I headed off to Robert's place, arriving back about 2pm.

Robespierre and I had a last beer in the backyard, polished the boots, and a nibble of fruit, and packed to hustle down to Don Church's place for the last two nights. We got a clear run in the traffic.

Sarah and Andy had gone to Manly by ferry and we were going to pick them up, so Nell and Packed their gear and our and headed off. We picked them up and went to Sam's vet clinic to play with Wellington the carpet snake of 7 foot length, much for amusement. Then a quick couple of beers and nachos at the Wharf bar where the ferry comes in; quite enjoyable. Off to Don's for a snack on the patio, followed by a walk up the road for a bit of pizza and pasta. Northbridge not a very sophisticated nightlife or eatery by night, we were glad of a relatively early night, to bed by about 10.30pm.

Don's youngest boys, Steven and Ben were around, getting ready to go out and hit various 'towns'. Steven had put up the tent to sleep in so we could have his bedroom; very kind of him. Big tall and thick set boys, good humoured and kindly, pleasant company. Steven had just come back from 'the European bus holiday', and is working in a shipyard; good hard physical labour, which he indicates he much prefers. He talks of Uni, but I suspect he will not settle for that compared with outdoor physical labour.

Don is exploring buying his new home in Yamba, and to buy a large catamaran to moor off the back fence. All looks good for a man wanting to fish, fly, sail, and fiddle. The house looks comfortable and interesting. I suspect there is some timing lack of synergy between his desire to do this, his boys finishing school and being able to leave home (although he is indicating that is to happen at the end of next year in any event) and Dianne has girfriend arranging to join him at Yamba. I note he to buy the home himself, and he intimated she will be contributing to the boat. Watch this space. - Well, not exactly this space, but metaphorically the continuation of this story.

Saturday 22nd
Yesterday (writing this on the plane to Hobart on Sunday): big dining day, and visiting. All interesting and enjoyable.

Up about 9am, and dawdled over big breakfast at Don's place, with Andy, Sarah, Camille, Steven and Ben Church and Don Church. Then settling Camille's desire to shop, we went straight to Mat and Mel Jones place in Seaforth, near Manly, for lunch. Arrived about 11.45am, and relaxed into the paper, helping with getting the lunch done, playing with Charlotte, and Lucy, and chatting with Wokka. Sol Jones with his girlfriend Sonya, then Sam Jones arrived with his mate ex NZ another vet on his m/cycle.

Matt proceeded with a great BBQ lunch, salad, sausages, chicken, rolls, and a couple of beers and a wine or two.

I'd forgotten I intended to see Pete Mann until he rang about 3.30pm. Everyone was crowded over U-tube, so I was OK about pulling out and going to visit Mann. The pool was ready for a game of water polo, but the temperature dived from 25 to 15, and no-one was really interested.
It was nice to meet Lucy, who is a delightful little baby, 8 months old, and has a lovely cozy room, nice light colouring, and fresh. No grizzling from her. Charlotte also a lovely kid, enjoys people all around.

Their dog, "Helmet" is a low slung brute of the earth, very close to the ground. Long nose, all brown, except for his black eyes and the tip of his nez.

Wokka has some sort of cancer but is in good mental health, and looked very fit. So all power to him. Penny was intrastate, each having a break from the other. Lovely!

We (Nell, RW, Andy and I) then drove to Manly, and saw Mann, Candace, Maxwell, and Pascale. Max is very tall, but only in year 8, quiet boy, and their solution is to have the family coached with boxing and weight lifting. Sounds good idea; I should introduce them to Wokka for him to be a private coach - I learnt today he used to be a boxer and also a pool hall hustler. Cunning fox. I'm not sure if the Mann's will get along with it; but it would the ideal way to start to learn, and good for Wokka. If I were he, I would charge $30 and hour.

Candace has published a book about 3s: listing things in three elements but no more. Jointly written, the book looks well presented, but can't comment on the content. A flick through didn't reveal what I would be interested in.

Their house is pristine; a composite of old house with new fittings and rooms. Very minimalist and modern. The pool is small and overlooked by the flats and houses on 3 sides, I expect even I would be mildly embarrassed to go swimming there on a regular basis, and would be happier to do so if I had invited the neighbours to use the pool and put a door in the fences so they could do so any time that suited them. Make it a sort of minor neighbourhood pool, for cooling off at the end of a hot day. Bring your own beer, and one for me sort of thing.

Candace has a new Fiat 500, which has a 1300 engine. Having spent $25K to get it, and washing it in hiding under the house to avoid detection of breach of the law, she wasn't aware that the naming is due to the original engine being 500cc. Lovely looking car inside and out, and plenty of room for 4 people; red leather, good stereo, sun roof. Two door. Nice thick cream colour. Diesel fuel injected - great little engine! I always felt I would have liked one of the originals long after they had been on the road, so I might keep an eye on this one.

The kids resolved afterward that they couldn't live in that minimalist environment. I'm sure I could, but I'd fill it up with things and it wouldn't be minimalist. They commented that there was little evidencing personal nature in the decor. Intentional no doubt, but plays down the importance of the individual to him or herself and others.

Mann and Candace are going to Vietnam and Cambodia over Christmas, with their kids. They will be an interesting touring group: all being very white and blond and taller than two vietnamese standing on each other's shoulders.

Then for a quick view over North Head, and a drive back to Don's place. Then half hour later off to Jaquie's place in Lane Cove North for BBQ dinner. I should have run there rather than driven, to get a bit of download of carbs absorbed during the day. Anyway; lovely house, with a chapel style kitchen and dining, TV area, pool table, overlooking a very useful deck and pool, which is also off the main bedroom. Very comfortable house, and looks as if you could make it cool in summer.

We had a few beers, a nice dining around the table, and chat with Sean. Olivier had two of here school girl friends and they talked all at the same time, laughed all night, screamed regularly, and had a good time together.

We then had a pool kelly game (s) which was quite good fun, and would be great on an otherwise boring day, either too hot or rainy for other things.

Ross Burden was there for half and hour and good as always to see him; he is a rummin, and on the way to a party elsewhere, just down from Canberra.

I kept off the sauce, to be the driver, and found I had run out of energy at 9.30pm. I should have had a swim, although it was cold and showery, and then I could have been more awake for the last hour. Nell started to badger me to make sure we left about then, so we bade our farefells, and ducked back to Don's at 10.30pm.

Very good host, and Jack had dressed up very pleasantly, and worked tirelessly in our interests: who could ask for more!

Hopped gladly into bed, and sent off a text message to say good night to Bernice, she in Shepperton. She replied but I had fallen asleep. She is contemplating taking a job in New Zealand, Aukland: I wouldn't be too keen myself, but I wonder at her motivation.

I will miss Bernice if she does go.

Sunday 23rd Nov.
Today, now, 10am, on the plane back to Hobart from Sydney. Camille, Andy and Sarah arose at 6am, packed up, cleaned teeth and bade farewell to Don Church at Middle Harbour, and took the rent a car back to Sydney Aiport via the Harbour Tunnel. Little traffic we made it within 30 minutes, and had breakfast in the aiport, put Nell on the plane to Gold Coast, and then took our seats (S, A and me) to await the 9.30am flight to Hobart.

A quiet time now on the plane, listening to an ABC program about women offenders, killing their children, and the legal repercussions, psychiatric perspective, and socialogical risk factors. 'Philocyde' - killing your loved ones.

Coolish in Sydney, probably colder in Hobart, looking forward to relaxing at home, or going for a bike ride, swim, or watch a film this afternoon.

Work will beckon, and having been away for a week, there will be a bit of a backlog. We (I) have the taxation for Toomey's bill, and hope to rip some off it, to expose his greed, and get a good result for my client. But the client (Houghton) must be pushed to do some work himself to analyse the bill to show that it reflects work not needed to be done. I have some legal argument to ring up about whether the first retainer extends to the second work, and whether that amount of work was 'reasonable' or to be expected. Also about the expert instruction: was it necessary or appropriate, given it was not expressly authorised.

But, the reality is that my thoughts are still singing the Gerontius melodies, and reflecting on the enormous fun, enjoyment and privelege of singing in the SOH last Wed and Thursday.