I’ve had a rather ambivalent time of it being in Athens, but I’m more than happy to be spending my last night of it here, in the Roman theater of Herodes Atticus, right under the Acropolis (see first picture). Verdi’s Requiem playing.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
It’s pretty awesome. And the seats are a welcome touch.
So that was my first time hearing Verdi’s Requiem. Yes, it was all very operatic, and there was lots of thrills, and both Mozart and Britten are still probably greater, but I was astounded. The drama works, and there was a lot of intimate songwork. And a good deal of depth there.
I’m still crying after the last Libera Me. And yes. I think I did need that.
And that brings to a close my time in Greece. I am now going to Cyprus for a week, to reconnect with my father’s family that I have not seen in almost 35 years.
Given my father’s passing at the start of the year, this is going to be emotional for me. But there is also going to be a lot for me to rediscover.
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