Around the world with Irina

Colmar, 16.04.2017

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 19:07:00 +0000

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Strasbourg, 14.04.2017

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 19:03:00 +0000

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Amsterdam, November 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 21:21:00 +0000

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Brighton, United Kingdom, April 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 20:04:00 +0000

Martha Argerich, Philharmonie de Paris, 08.01.2016

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 13:33:00 +0000

Dear readers,

My new opera photography is live and kicking :) I put there most of the photos I took over the years. Do take a look!

www.opera-photography.com See the little hearts on each album? Click on them, I'll know you like my photos! You can also pin everything you like.

I also have a Facebook page, just because is trendy. Follow me at https://www.facebook.com/operaphotos/

My Martha in Paris experience on January 8, HERE

La Damnation de Faust, Paris, 11.12.2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 18:31:00 +0000

Dear opera lovers, I take this chance to introduce you my new website dedicated to opera photography. I've been taken photos of the performances I've attended for 8 years now. The blog served its purpose but the list of performances is so long that navigation is difficult. The blog will go on, with photos from all my trips around the world.

www.opera-photography.com

I uploaded all the recent performances, I'm now working on posting all the other photos from 2008 to 2013. There are all sorts of categories for easy search:
*by opera/recital/opera in concert/symphonic
*by years
*by opera houses
*by artists - here the list would be too long if I mention everyone in all the casts, for the moment I chose those opera singers I've seen live at least three times
*and a blog. I'll post comments here from time to time.

So, do have a look, either on home page or directly to the newest post, La Damnation de Faust in Paris on December 11, 2015.

Enjoy, like it (by clicking on the small hears on each album) and let me know what you think!

Toledo, October 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 10:55:00 +0000

Neuschwanstein Castle, September 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 11:43:00 +0000

BMW Museum Munich, September 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 19:52:00 +0000

Roberto Devereux, Teatro Real Madrid, Devia/Kunde, 04.10.2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:10:00 +0000

Roberto Devereux
Teatro Real Madrid, 04.10.2015

Elisabetta: Mariella Devia
Earl of Nottingham: Ángel Ódena
Sara, Duchess of Nottingham: Silvia Tro Santafé
Roberto Devereux, Earl of Essex: Gregory Kunde
Lord Guglielmo Cecil: Juan Antonio Sanabria
Sir Gualtiero Raleigh: Andrea Mastroni

Teatro Real Chorus and Orchestra
Musical director: Bruno Campanella
Production by the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff

Aida, Bayerische Staatsoper, Stoyanova/Kaufmann/Smirnova, 25.09.2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:15:00 +0000

Aida
Bayerische Staatsoper, 25.09.2015

Amneris Anna Smirnova
Aida Krassimira Stoyanova
Radamès Jonas Kaufmann
Ramfis Ain Anger
Amonasro Franco Vassallo
Der König Marco Spotti
Ein Bote Dean Power
Eine Priesterin Anna Rajah

Bayerisches Staatsorchester
Chor und Extrachor der Bayerischen Staatsoper
Musikalische Leitung Dan Ettinger

Poiana Secuilor, Predeal, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 07:34:00 +0000

Romanian Youth Orchestra/Sarah Chang/Kristjan Jarvi, Bucharest 30.08

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 19:37:00 +0000

30.08 - Palace Hall

ROMANIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Great Orchestras of the World

CHOIR OF THE “GEORGE ENESCU” PHILHARMONIC
CHILDREN’S CHOIR of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Society
Conductor: KRISTJAN JÄRVI
Conductor of the Choir: ION IOSIF PRUNNER
Conductor of the children’s choir: VOICU POPESCU

Soloist : SARAH CHANG – violin

Program:
Enescu – Rhapsody no. 1 in A Major op. 11 no. 1
Sibelius – Concerto for violin and orchestra in D minor op. 47
Orff – “Carmina Burana”

Soloists:
JENNIFER O’LOUGHLIN (soprano)
MAX EMANUEL CENČIĆ (countertenor)
DANIEL SCHMUTZHARD (baritone)

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Peles Castle, Sinaia, Romania, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:26:00 +0000

Peleș Castle (Romanian: Castelul Peleș pronounced [kasˈtelul ˈpeleʃ] ( listen)) is a Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains, near Sinaia, in Prahova County, Romania, on an existing medieval route linking Transylvania and Wallachia, built between 1873 and 1914. Its inauguration was held in 1883. It was constructed by Charles I. (wikipedia.com)

More details about the Castle, visiting hours and how to get there, on the Peles Castle official website.

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Rasnov citadel, Brasov county, Romania, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:22:00 +0000

In Râșnov a citadel was built around the year 1215 by the Teutonic Knights and it was mentioned for the first time in 1331. The citadel was conquered only once in its history, around the year 1600 by Gabriel Báthory.

In 1856, the Roman fort of Cumidava was discovered near the town.

In 2002, the Râșnov Citadel and surroundings were used during the shooting of several scenes from the American film Cold Mountain.

There is a myth attached to Râșnov Citadel. During a particularly long siege of the fortress, the citizens of Râşnov were concerned about the lack of available fresh drinking water. Two Turkish soldiers, having been captured earlier, were put to the task of digging a well in the centre of the fortress. These two men were assured that they would be given their freedom once the well was completed. According to local legend, it took them 17 years to finish the well, but they were still killed afterwards. This famous well still sits in the centre of Râșnov Fortress, and is 143 metres deep. (wikipedia.com)

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Sighisoara, Mures county, Romania, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:19:00 +0000

Central Sighișoara has preserved in an exemplary way the features of a small medieval fortified city. It has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Each year, a Medieval Festival takes place in the old citadel in July.

Sighișoara is considered to be the most beautiful and well preserved inhabited citadel in Europe,[citation needed] with authentic medieval architecture. In Eastern Europe, Sighișoara is one of the few fortified towns that are still inhabited. The town is made up of two parts. The medieval stronghold was built on top of a hill and is known as the "Citadel" (Cetate). The lower town lies in the valley of Târnava Mare river.

The houses inside Sighișoara Citadel show the main features of a craftsmen's town. However, there are some houses that belonged to the former patriciate, like the Venetian House and the House with Antlers. (wikipedia.com)

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The Evangelical Fortified Churh of Crit, Brasov county, Romania, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:11:00 +0000

The old name Kreuz (cross) comes, by local tradition, from a large cross thrust into a promontory, visible from three neighboring villages away - Criţ, Cloaşterf and Meşendorf. Around the cross the first homes were built, as well as a stone church, dedicated to St. Cross.

From two documents, dated 1270 and 1272, we learn that King Stephen of Hungary, confirms to Laurentius, the son of Hylyees and to his son, the possession of the lands next to Szederges (Moreni), with the church dedicated to St. Mary, and the lands of Scentkerest, with the stone church dedicated to St. Cross. Szeklers are recommended to accept Laurentius and his followers in their community, as the two above-mentioned villages cease to belong to the jurisdiction and power exercised by the Governor of Transylvania.

More info on http://www.crit.ro/history.html

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Rupea fortress, Brasov county, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:00:00 +0000

Rupea has been inhabited since time immemorial. It was the Dacians who had build castle Ramidava on the 120m high basalt block. The Romans followed with castle Rupes functioning as a fortress and commerce-control centre. It was always rebuilt when destroyed.

In the middle ages it belong to the king. Originally it consisted only of the interior castle, and having no strategic importance, at the end of the XVI century it became public property.

The citizens expanded it during the next hundred years. Two large courts were added housing small houses. A well, and the Szallonas and Szolgak towers were also built. The first and only canon was acquired in 1613. Following the 1643 fire the castle was deserted, in 1790 a huge storm rips off the roof giving way to the decay of the castle. The church in Rupea was built in the XV century. Its baroque altar dates back to 1709 while the organ was built in 1727. There are also memorials in the church dating back to the XVII century guilds period.

www.welcometoromania.ro

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Viscri Fortified Church, Brasov county, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:30:00 +0000

The Viscri fortified church is a Lutheran fortified church in Viscri, Brașov County, in the Transylvania region of Romania. It was built by the ethnic German Transylvanian Saxon community at a time when the area belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary.

Initially Roman Catholic, it became Lutheran following the Reformation. Together with the surrounding village, the church forms part of the villages with fortified churches in Transylvania UNESCO World Heritage Site. (wikipedia.com)

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Viscri, Romania, August 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:53:00 +0000

Viscri is only one of the Saxon villages of Transylvania. Of course, is a special one, due to his great fortified church which is part of UNESCO World Heritage.

The documents tell that the village of Viscri was always a free community, never being part of a noble property. Around AD 1500 the village has 51 households, 3 shepherds, 1 teacher

Still now, Viscri is a small village, with no more than 500 inhabitants, from which only about 27 are Saxons. People say that Viscri hide the most picturesque fortified church of the Saxons from Transylvania.

Viscri is also known due to the great job in restoring done by the Mihai Eminescu Trust, the foundation patroned by The Prince of Wales. What is less known is that the work and the efforts of the foundation covers not only Viscri, but many other Saxon villages in Transylvania (Crit, Mesendorf, Malancrav, Saschiz).

The village is located in the center of Romania, close to Sighisoara (40km). You have to quit the main road (DN13/E60) in Bunesti, and then a paved road will bring you here (8km). www.viscri-info.ro

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Apocalyptica, ArtMania - Sibiu, 01.08.2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 07:27:00 +0000

Apocalyptica
ArtMania - Sibiu - Romania - 01.08.2015

Setlist

’Till Death Do Us Part
Grace
Cold Blood
I'm Not Jesus
Sea Song (You Waded Out)
Last Hope
Inquisition Symphony (Sepultura cover)
Bitte Schön
Refuse/Resist (Sepultura cover)
Shadowmaker
In the Hall of the Mountain King (Edvard Grieg cover)

Encore:
One (Metallica cover)
I Don't Care
Dead Man's Eyes

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Beth Hart in Bucharest, 21.07.2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 19:04:00 +0000

Beth Hart Palace Hall,
Bucharest,
21.07.2015

Setlist

Mama
Can't Let Go (Randy Weeks cover)
Delicious Surprise
Might As Well Smile
Baddest Blues
Better Man
Bang Bang Boom Boom
Sister Heroine
The Mood That I'm In
Mechanical Heart
L.A. Song (Out of This Town)
At the Bottom
The Ugliest House on the Block
St. Teresa Sinner's Prayer (Ray Charles cover)
Trouble

Encore:
Tell Her You Belong to Me
I'll Take Care of You (Bobby “Blue” Bland cover)
Spirit of God
My California
Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover)
I'd Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover)

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Robbie Williams in Bucharest, 17.07.2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 18:59:00 +0000

Setlist

"Video Introduction" (contains elements of "O Fortuna")
"Let Me Entertain You"
"Rock DJ"
"We Will Rock You" / "I Love Rock n Roll"
"Monsoon"
"Tripping"
"Bodies"
"The Road To Mandalay"
"Video Sequence"
"Minnie The Moocher"
"Swing Supreme"
"Ignition (Remix)" / "Shout"
"Motherfucker"
"Better Man" (performed with his father)
"Video Sequence"
"Radio"
"No Regrets"
"Come Undone" (contains excerpts from "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For")
"Candy"
"Feel"
"Millennium" (contains excerpts from "99 Problems")
"Kids" (contains elements of "Back in Black")

Encore
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
"Angels"
"My Way"

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Montjuic, Barcelona, July 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 08:12:00 +0000

Barcelona's Montjuïc is a broad shallow hill with a relatively flat top overlooking the harbour, to the southwest of the city centre. The eastern side of the hill is almost a sheer cliff, giving it a commanding view over the city's harbour immediately below. The top of the hill (a height of 184,8 m) was the site of several fortifications, the latest of which (the Castle of Montjuïc) remains today. The fortress largely dates from the 17th century, with 18th-century additions. In 1842, the garrison (loyal to the Madrid government) shelled parts of the city. It served as a prison, often holding political prisoners, until the time of General Franco. The castle was also the site of numerous executions. (Wikipedia)

How to get there:

*by metro - get off at Parallel station and continue to the Montjuic funicular (inside the station). The funicular ticket is included in the price of the metro ticket (2,15 euro/way). It departs every 10 minutes and the ride lasts for about 3 minutes. When you get on the hill, you have two options:

- walk to the castle (recommended, 15 - 20 minutes) - the entrance to the Castle is 5 euros/adult

- take the cable car (with a fee, 10+euro)

*by bus - number 150 from Plaza Espana

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Montserrat, Spain, July 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Irina) — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 08:06:00 +0000

Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain located near the city of Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. It is part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. The main peaks are Sant Jeroni (1,236 m), Montgrós (1,120 m) and Miranda de les Agulles (903 m).

It is well known as the site of the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary and which is identified by some with the location of the Holy Grail in Arthurian myth.

The Benedictine Abbey can be reached by road, by the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, or by the Montserrat Rack Railway. The lower stations of both the rack railway and the cable car can be reached by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya train from Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya station. From the abbey, the Funicular de Sant Joan funicular railway goes up to the top of the mountain, where there are various abandoned hovels in the cliff faces that were previously the abodes of reclusive monks, while the Funicular de la Santa Cova descends to a shrine. (Wikipedia)

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