Our 2008/9 season in Brussels ended with Nozze de Figaro and our Stein fortepiano.  Following a quick transport, it is now being used in Aix en Provence and the production of Idomeneo. Meanwhile our larger “Dulcken” 6 octave instrument is being used in the other Mozart opera, The Magic Flute. It is unusual to feature a keyboard instrument in “The Flute”, but in this production from Brussels it is used to great effect and follows the practise in Mozarts day when we suppose he would have improvised interludes at appropriate moments on the piano.   This is staged in the new Grand Theatre de Provence. Idomeneo is presented in the famous Archeveche Palais. This is an open air auditorium and in the right conditions a magical place to view an opera. Good accoustic and blissfully cool in the late evening. For tuning however it poses some problems due to falling temperatures and rising humidity during performances. I have to say that after 27 years, (yes, I was shocked too!) I have managed to pre-empt the worst effects of this, but of course I cannot change the laws of physics  (as Scotty used to say) and I have had to learn to smile in the face of adversity.

In Salzburg we have a large collection of instruments in place to serve what is to be a busy festival. It is worth checking their site for details.  The opening video is one of the best I have seen!   I will add to this post as the festival progresses.