Music Festival

We're just back from the usual highlight of the week - the opera scenes masterclass with Ed Berkeley of Julliard. It was so spectacular this week , I have to write about it.  Started off with that famous sextet in the Act 1 finale of Cosi fan Tutte and quite magnificent it was. Scenes then from Verdi's Falstaff,  Massonet's Manon, an epic scene from L'Elisir d'Amore and a couple of scenes from more recent composers - Bernstein ( Trouble in Tahiti ) and Bolcolm (A View from the Bridge ).  2 hours of absolute bliss.

But we're getting a 2nd opera experience this week. A performance at the Wheeler of Liebermann's The Picture of Dorian Gray on Thursday. This follows the fabulous Tchaikovski's Eugene Onegin last week and precedes Carmen in a couple of weeks. What a feast.

Opera scenes masterclass. Every Sat morning 10 to 12 for 8 weeks. About as good as it gets !

Our 2014 music student Tamer.  Here giving a lesson having just made me a badly needed new reed. A hugely successful future as a professional oboist almost certainly awaits. Playing principal in Wednesday's Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra's performance of a Bartok concerto.

Julie ( high school colleague of M's ) and David from Houston join us outside the tent for the Sunday afternoon concert.

Back on to the Rim trail

Undiminished skills !

Our first Warm Showers visitor Matt from Boston doing a tour of Colorado's mountain passes. We lent him a mountain bike to explore, and hike to, Snowmass Lake.

Here on his own very heavily laden bike setting off for Independence Pass and eventually Estes Park.  Good luck Matt.

We had a delightful visit from Jill and Sarah Jewitt. Just managed to fit in a Tom Blake mountain bike ride before Sarah headed off back to Rock Springs , WY. Here with her working kit for her rig work - minus the white hat ( indicating recent promotion ).

Barbara & Ros visit

After a disappointing start for them ( flight diverted and an unexpected first night in a Denver Hotel ) B & R's visit to us was memorable. First visit from any of my family ( apart from kids and David and Heather ) since we came here, so extra special. We had fun.

They were whisked straight from airport to Music tent for an AACA concert. This was the first of some great concerts we all went to ( incl performances by Gil Shaham and Joshua Bell )

While Ros enjoyed Music festival masterclasses , we took Barbara to Avalanche Hot Springs.  Right up her street.

July 4th parade - downtown Aspen

and the traditional razzmatazz

Part of an hour long procession - we quit at half time !

Busking in Aspen - Jessica in a few years time ????

Highlight of the week. Coffee and muffins outside Paradise Bakery before Opera Scenes masterclass at the Wheeler. Here with Cathy from Coatbridge of all places - a city of Aspen maintenance employee.

.....then straight to gondola and up Aspen Mtn for lunch at Sun Deck followed by music from a brass ensemble with views west towards Snowmass. Aspen Highlands in middle ground.

More of the same at 11,200 ft

First game with each other for maybe 50 years ?

Picnic spot at Maroon Lake

This 8am swim at the Snowmass Rec Center featured almost daily .....

but the adjacent hot tub was more appealing for some! M straight from yoga ( Ros one day too ) and lap pool.

Start of the hike to Weller lake. Note how comfortable Barbara looks with poles.

Top of Independence Pass. All water to the right to the Colorado and subsequently the Pacific. All water to the left to the Arkansas and subsequently to the Mississippi and the Atlantic

A delightful last evening's dinner at Il Poggio, Snowmass

Has to be the most civilized check-in anywhere. Bags checked through to Edinburgh - curbside. Bon voyage !