I have been somewhat negligent re. my Blog updates this year – I have simply been too busy having fun on this ‘small island’ (plus working hard of course!).
Anyway, 2010 got off to a very busy start with the Saint-Barthélemy Music Festival, which is a superb 10 day annual event, now in its 26th year. It attracts many talented professional musicians from across the globe (France, Italy, Spain, UK, US, South America etc.), all of whom are more accustomed to performing at top concert halls and opera houses versus our small island churches (the only ‘concert halls’ this small isle can offer!). Last year I was elected to be one of the festival committee members, which is admittedly hard work, but fully rewarded by the great opportunity to be present at the wonderful repertoire of concerts and get to know this fascinating group of musicians. They are all full of character and joie de vivre as seen by their presence at the numerous ‘extra-curricular’ drinks and dinner parties and on the dance floors, where they/we certainly had fun! The annual post-opera party is renowned to be ‘la pièce de resistance’, which included an impromptu ‘Last Night of the Proms’-style rendition of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, which certainly made Philip most nostalgic for dear Blighty, in full voice up on his chair! We also enjoyed a somewhat more civilised evening at a champagne cocktail party hosted by Monsieur le Président’ (not quite Sarkozy, but the island President is still considered just as important by most island locals!)
To see other photos and details of the concerts visit the St Bart Music Festival website: www.stbartsmusicfestival.org