Late Night Dinner

A long day. Back to back meetings. A Friday night with boys out of the house, engaged in their activities. I have been blessed by the gift of two tickets to the Rochester Oratorio Society's opening concert at Hochstein. What joy! I invite a friend and pick her up at 7:15.

We collect our tickets and find a seat right down front, settling in to await the much anticipated event. The first half of the concert is amazing. A full blown concert in and of itself, and well done. At intermission, a new ensemble built from the larger choir regales us with blues and oldies music most engaging.

Before we could blink, the second half began, a two piano and percussion rendition of Carmina Burana. The percussionists didn't look old enough to be out alone at night much less performing such demanding music. Surely they are amazingly gifted in their skill. The primitive earthy pounding of beat answered by guttural cries rising from the voices of the many, lilting flute intertwined. It is engaging. Two hours fly by. We are enraptured.

Afterwards, we meet with my benefactor and agree to share dinner at a local food with fries place. We flop into the booth, still in the thralls of the concert, chattering about music and choirs and voice lessons and stuff. What a wonderful evening. I hardly notice the late hour, hardly feel the day's tiredness.

At last, we call it a day and go our separate ways, I to my bed to dream of music and singing and joy. What a gift. Thankfulness pervades my heart as I drift off, lulled by memories of music echoing in my brain.