Blogging about aviation
Lufthansa posted a record result in the second quarter of 2023. 2023 should be one of the most successful in the Group’s history, according to the German airline. It tripled its profits compared with the previous year. Increased demand and higher ticket prices were responsible for the significant rise.
Lufthansa is heading for Continue reading “Lufthansa Group expects record result in 2023”
Bellini, Donizetti, Puccini and of course Verdi! The Orchestra e Coro Sinfonica di Milano under the direction of Claus Peter Flor, the Coro Sinfonica di Milano under the musical direction of Romano Gandolfi, the soprano Carmela Remigio and the tenor Davide Giusti made the evening an enjoyable experience. It was an atmospheric evening at the opera in a perfect setting, in the Kurpark in Wiesbaden.
Many famous composers were drawn to Milan. They not only found inspiration Continue reading “Wiesbaden´s Kurpark becomes an opera stage”
With Hector Berlioz’s Ouverture ‘ Le Carnaval romain’, Edouard Lalo’s `Symphonie espagnole` and Francis Poulenc’s `Stabat Mater’, the Rheingau Music Festival started its 2023 season in the basilica of Eberbach Monastery in the Rheingau.
The hr-Sinfonieorchester, conducted by Alain Altinoglu, the MDR Rundfunkchor under the direction of Philipp Ahmann, the brilliant debut of the only 17-year-old Brazilian violin soloist Guido Sant’Anna and the powerful-voiced soprano Vannina Santoni delivered a true pleasure package for all senses.
The opening concert began with Hector Berlioz’s popular overture “Le carnaval romain.” In this lively concert piece, which lasted about ten minutes, Berlioz used themes from his opéra-comique “Benvenuto Cellini.” Fancy rhythms correspond here with motifs of the carnival and cheerfully dancing people. Different tempi and dynamics convey many moods.
Virtuoso energetic playing in a red silk shirt
Édouard Lalo’s “Symphonie espagnole (op. 21, D minor),” which lasted about half an hour, conveyed special intensity. The 17-year-old Brazilian Guido Sant’Anna, who won the renowned International Fritz Kreisler Violin Competition in Vienna in September 2022, was engaged as solo violinist. This year he received a scholarship to study at the Kronberg Academy. With his virtuosic and energetic playing, wearing a striking red silk shirt, he immediately captured the audience completely. The climax was the fourth movement: the initial brass notes were followed by an almost intimate playing of the solo violin.
Chief conductor Alain Altinoglu ensured a successful dialogue between the hr-Sinfonieorchester and Guido Sant’Anna during the “Symphonie espagnole”. The audience, extremly clapped for a solo encore: the second movement “Dance roustique” from the Sonata No. 5 in G major (“The Dawn”) by the Belgian violinist, composer and conductor Eugène Ysaÿe.
Intensity and power of a beautiful voice
After the intermission, Francis Poulenc’s “Stabat Mater” was played, a religious work that fits perfectly into the basilica of Eberbach Monastery. The intercessory prayer is about the mother of Jesus in her pain for the crucified Jesus. There are numerous settings of the medieval poem, for example by Charpentier, Haydn, Rossini, Schubert, Verdi or Vivaldi. In the work, which is divided into twelve sequences, the choir takes center stage. The MDR Rundfunkchor, conducted by Philipp Ahmann, conveyed the prayer with high intensity.
The French soprano Vannina Santoni convinced in the sequences “Vidit suum dulcem Natum”, “Fac, ut portem Christi mortem” and the final “Quando corpus morietur” with her special charisma and the intensity and power of her beautiful voice.
Former German President Joachim Gauck asked in his ceremonial address. “Are we allowed to rejoice in times like these? His answer: “Of course, what faith enables me to do, music also enables me to do. ” But the power and beauty of music is not an act of escaping the world. Art cannot undo human abysses, but it has the power to transform, to bring about changes and unexpected things.
Johanna Wenninger-Muhr
The hr Symphony Orchestra and the MDR Radio Choir
Founded in 1929, the hr-Sinfonieorchester is famous for its dynamic playing culture and musical excellence. Since 2021, it has been led by 48-year-old Paris-born principal conductor Alain Altinoglu. The MDR Rundfunkchor, since January 2020 conducted by Philipp Ahmann, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in the 2023/24 season, is the largest radio choir of the public broadcaster.
Emirates is planning a further increase in seat capacity for its summer schedule, which will be in effect from March 26, 2023. In recent months, the airline has expanded its route network with the resumption of flights to five cities and the addition of 251 weekly departures to existing routes, as well as other service improvements in the air and on the ground.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates chief commercial officer wants to further expand Emirates global route network to meet global flight demand. Continue reading “Emirates continues to expand flight operations on all continents”
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2023 to all readers of Visionsblog.info
With Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C minor, the 2nd version, played by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Christoph Eschenbach, the Rheingau Music Festival 2022 came to an end on September 3 in the Basilica of the Eberbach Monastery in the Rheingau. Continue reading “The Rheingau Music Festival 2022 ended with Anton Bruckner´s Symphony Nr. 8”
By Suse Rabel-Harbering
The discovery of the Cape Verde Islands in 1462 is attributed to Henry the Navigator, who was sailing on behalf of the Portuguese crown. Before the discovery, the islands were deserted. Thanks to its favorable location, the archipelago became a center of international trade relations, being situated in the middle of the three continents of Africa, Asia and America. Apart from sugar cane, rum and salt, the main commodities traded were slaves. Since the middle of the 16th century, Portugal had reserved the exclusive right to market slaves on the West African coast.
In its heyday, it was called Ribeira Grande and was the capital of the Cape Verde Islands. Already in 1533 it received the city rights. After that, it Continue reading “The Kingfisher Feather – A Visit to the Cape Verde Islands”
The 35th festival summer from 25.6. to 3.9.2022 will take place under the guiding principle “Cohesion”. It is intended to bring the music back to the audience in full radiance and in the usual atmospheric manner.
Violinist Julia Fischer and pianist Jan Lisiecki will be featured as focus artists in several concerts of the Rheingau Music Festival at once. Whether in large orchestra concerts, or for the first time together on stage as a duo – Julia Fischer and Jan Lisiecki will bring their deep musical devotion and virtuoso joy of playing to the Rheingau. Continue reading ““Cohesion” – The guiding principle of Rheingau Music Festival 2022″
Christmas time wishes for warmth and good cheer
Happiness now and in the New Year.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2022 to all readers of Visionsblog.info
The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus could have succeeded in taking an important step in the ecological competition with Boeing and Co: For the first time, Airbus is flying an aircraft entirely without conventional kerosene: with SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel).
As Airbus announced on 29 October, this is the first time that the company and French aviation company has operated an aircraft with regenerative fuel. An Continue reading “First flight without conventional kerosene”