Tag: opera

A few days at Mr.Gilberts

My wife’s best friend is getting married this weekend, so we have ventured away from our place in the East Midlands, down to the smoke on the outskirts of north London.

For 54 years of my life I lived in this area so I know it very well both man and child. Most of my formative years were spent in and around here just doing what kids growing up used to do. But today I’m back here as an adult and things today look so different from when I was younger. However one place looks as serene and beautiful as ever.

And that is Mr. Gilbert’s place.

When I was at my junior school we put on a show called, “The pirates of Penzance”. I remember dressing up and singing many jaunty songs but at the time I never made the connection.

Then one day, playing with my friends we ventured up to Old Redding on the borders of Harrow, Stanmore and Oxhey, where there were woods and cycle tracks and people walking dogs, in avenues of what I now know are rhododendron bushes. There was a small lake, and then when you wandered through the beautiful display of flowers you came upon this beautiful sight.

Grims dyke manor

Speaking with my parents it now became clear that we had stumbled across the former home of the dramatist W.S Gilbert, him of Gilbert and Sullivan fame who’d written that show I was in at school, it all now fell into place.

The manor is now a hotel and that is why my wife and I are here this weekend. The Manor House is steeped in history and is still the HQ of the W.S Gilbert society who regularly stage his shows in the environment in which they were written.

The main lawn and Manor House
Gorgeous views

Now Mr.Gilbert unfortunately saw his demise here at the lake in the grounds. In 1911 he was giving a swimming lesson to two ladies when one of them got into trouble whilst attempting to swim, he dived in to save her but unfortunately had a heart attack and his life ended there.

The lake area
Another garden
One of the gardens

The manor went through changes of ownership throughout the years before being taken over by Best Western a few years ago.

The grounds are some of the best maintained that you will ever see in a hotel environment, there is wildlife freely roaming and as we were having a drink just last evening we had the company of some small deer not far from us.

A nice fruit cider in the sun
The view from our room
Bees busy at work

It’s hard to believe we are just a few hundred yards from busy main roads, it’s just so quiet. You are guaranteed a peaceful stay here at Mr.Gilberts, it our go to place whenever we are in this part of the world.

If you’re ever in this part of the world just walk through or stay for a while. There are excellent travel links to central London and not many better places than this to have a base. It’s a touch of total tranquility on the outskirts of one of the world’s most manic city environments.

Thoughts 8/5/24

What was the last live performance you saw?

The last live performance I saw was the Ukrainian national ballet and opera version of Puccinis “La Boheme” at the Demontfort hall in Leicester city centre.

La Boheme

Now you are probably thinking I’m a high brow poncey stuck up operatic lovey, you couldn’t be further from the truth. My music choice ranges from operatic, to big band sound, through disco and hip hop all the way through to seriously heavy metal and anything in between. If I like the sound I’ll go see the group that made it.

It’s good to have a variety of music to admire. My love of operatic and chamber music goes down to my total admiration of musicians who can play these beautiful instruments and make such wonderful sounds with them. And that’s why I appreciate live music and will attend a concert whenever I get the chance.

My favourite group is another question though, and that group is REM. As they are no longer around I’m off to see a tribute band to them called “Stipe” that will be in my area next month. I’m looking forward to that.

Happy days all…

A night at the opera

Life’s to do list has always been quite extensive for me. Within that list was the wish to attend an opera for the first time. That wish came true at the grand old age of 57, on Friday 24th March 2023 at the Demontfort hall in Leicester.

The Ukrainian Opera and Ballet company from Kyiv were here performing Puccini’s La Boheme.

La Boheme – Puccini (Picture from brochure supplier, not my own)

I had a read up of what to expect the night prior to attending. I must say I was not at all disappointed, it was a beautiful experience, wonderful singing and you cannot beat a live orchestra. Those stringed instruments sounded heavenly and it was a few hours of entertainment that I must admit just took you away from the pressures of modern life and transported you back to a time when the world was running at a slower pace.

Did i enjoy it? You bet ya, however I’ll have to attend the next one with someone who appreciates this entertainment as the wife does not fit that category.

I feel as if a void in my life has now been filled, I have found an appreciation for this type of entertainment that I thought I did not have. My journey into the world of opera has begun.

Long May it last.