Royal Concertgebouw, x2

The last time I was in Amsterdam, I passed up the opportunity to hear Amsterdam's top orchestra play in their famous Concertgebouw, but after listening to Classical MPR go on about them and their "best orchestra in the world" status ever since, I made sure to go this time around. They were thoughtful enough to put on one of my favorite live works, the Verdi Requiem, and I bought myself a ticket to go alone on Saturday night while Simon watched soccer, and two tickets for Simon to join me Monday.

I took the bus down to the Museum District and got off a little early so I could walk through the grass to the concert.




I went inside quite early and everyone was already there, drinking coffee or wine, chatting and waiting to go inside. I decided to get a glass of wine, and it was unexpectedly on the house. Looking around, it seemed everyone was enjoying a complimentary beverage. I wonder if I'd make more friends at the orchestra if Minnesota handed out free beverages? It definitely beats the $17 martini I bought in Manhattan before the Rufus Sings Judy show.

I found my way to a seat on the stage, high above the orchestra next to the organ. I love to watch a conductor and hear the choir around me. As it turned out, the choir was on the opposite side of the organ, but the acoustics were fantastic, and I enjoyed feeling the brass and percussion vibrate beneath my feet.




I promised myself all day I wouldn't cry when all Hell broke loose in the Dies Irae, but to no avail. I was a sucker for Verdi at Concertgebouw - I can live with that. The soloists were mind bogglingly good, and the choir was perfect. I found 3 empty seats in the entire Concertgebouw - these A'damers know how to have a good time.

The best performer was an enthusiastic young bass player. Every time the orchestra got revved up for another raging tempest, he tackled his instrument with a huge grin and savage gusto. Nice to know it's not only the Minnesota Orchestra with bass players for me to crush on.