First, a good news! My new laptop has arrived! I will need some time to set it up so I can type in Japanese, but it should not be too long before I can write in Japanese again!
Yesterday, I played in the Wortham Center, where Houston Grand Opera does their production. The hall seats about 2,500, in four tiers, and every seat is covered with red velvet. The concert I was a part of was a benefit concert for breast cancer awareness. The former president George. H. W Bush and his wife Barbara were in the audience. Though I do not like the Bushes, I am telling you this because I did not expect this concert to be this much of a deal! Of course because the Bushes were there, there were secret police, and that was exciting. It was like a variety show. Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Ceder Lake (a modern dance company), Children’s choir, excerpts from plays and musical "Wicked" were performed one after another. When one act is going on, they set the next show behind the curtain. Our part consisted of my solo (Augusta Read Thomas’ "Traces" first mov) and trio (Rebecca Clarke Trio 1st mov). While an actor was reciting a poem, the piano was rolled out to the stage, and we sat and waited. When the actor finished, the curtain went up, and we started playing. When we finished playing, the light was turned off, and the curtain came down for the next show. It was very interesting to not go through the ritual of bowing, sitting, adjusting chairs, etc. I kind of like it….very much!