Subtitled "From Tragedy to Triumph", the concert featured Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.5, Mendelssohn's Ruy Blas Overture and Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, all played by the Harmony Sinfonia under Lindsay Ryan, with pianist Mario Mora.
It was a delightful evening; the music was varied and exciting; the only thing I found irritating was the outfit which Lindsay Ryan wore to conduct. She is a slightly plumpish lady - not fat, but with curves. Her dress had just one shoulder, and all the time she was conducting, you were very aware of her curves overflowing her dress and wobbling - she would have been much better in a less fitted, long-sleeved dress which didn't show quite so much bare flesh.
That said, though, she is obviously a brilliant musician, with a string of qualifications, and very confident out in front of the orchestra.
Afterwards there was wine and fruit juice and a chance to talk to people.
I had some problems finding the church - although I had the address, the map at Brockley Station was very badly lit, and I couldn't read it. Luckily, a young couple nearby had better eyesight, and found the road for me - in fact the church is quite near the station.
As I had plenty of time, I decided to get something to eat before going to the concert, and popped into a little Chinese cafe. I could understand afterwards why it was almost empty. I ordered a vegetable curry with rice and asked if the vegetables were well-cooked, and was assured they would be. I also asked for a meal to eat in.
When it arrived, it was in a carton, though they did get me a plate when I asked.
But the vegetables were almost raw, even though they had taken a while to bring the food - they obviously hadn't a clue. Not somewhere I will every again go for a meal.
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