Music 'nd the City.

2nd phopto:
Raphaël Pidoux, violoncelle, Bruno Philippe, violoncelle, Elodie Soulard, accordéon. They gave a stunning Astor Piazzolla tango...under strong Mistral.
There was a series of free open air concerts in Aix-en-Provence on the best central squares and hôtels particuliers, like Hotel Maynier d'Oppède opposite 'Place de l'Archevêché'from Aug 23 to Sept 4.(Almost all 'pedestrian zone, a relief!).
Sometimes I had to queue, and most of the time I just had to stroll along to the next square to listen to the musicians. Unfortunately some days, a very strong 'Mistral' blew the notes away and shook dead leaves on the scores, annoying the performers and the audience.
But it was good fun and enjoyment to see passers-by stop and listen, even squat and sit on pavements when hooked on the music. It was a quiet mixture of mums pushing prams, rollerskaters, older citizens with their folding chairs sitting right next to the stage Place D'Albertas(the fountain had been turned down for the musical event, even the pigeons kept quiet when Félicia Doni played Chopin), a nice friendly atmosphere spread over the historical center, for once classical music was out of the concert halls and generously offered to all!In the eighties I participated to nice events also entitled 'musique dans la rue. I discovered in those days the young 'trio Fontanarosa' performing on 'Place D'albertas'. They were so young and talented!
I had to queue to see 'la diva de l'Empire' in the courtyard of Hôtel Maynier d'Oppède': 'Sous un grand chapeau Greenaway...says Erik satie's melody..

...After all, Kate Greenaway started the fashion of these dainty tops which carefully made it rather difficult to catch the lady's eye.
Hôtel Maynier d'Oppède, Michiko Takahashi, soprano, and Michel Bourdoncle, piano; Airs d'opéra et mélodies. Aug.27th 2010.





And this is an exquisite Diva de l'Empire...telling us all about the Greenaway
hat...