or This Place is Boring! My apologies to “claude” who commented on the last posting, but Luxembourg is LAME! Ok Ok, in all fairness, its politically and historically interesting and there are lots of beautiful old buildings among the tasteless new buildings, but not much else. Around every corner theres yet another freeway onramp or exit or another main traffic artery. The lush green valley that surrounds the city center provides the only solice from the constant buzz of traffic. It seems more like a place that people drive through, not some place to stay. The city center is flooded with tourists, shopping, and incredibly expensive restaurants (atleast 15€ a meal). I made it out of the city center today only to find more of the same. Less tourists but more shopping shopping shopping and tons of traffic. No wonder this place has one of the highest alcohol comsumption rates in Europe, what else is there to do but drink?!? Not to mention that its been raining for five days straight! I’m hoping to find some other young Luxembourgers to show me where they go to have fun….but until then I’m happy going out for beers with the sound engineers for the show.
Luckily, most of my time is spent in the theater. Today was actually the first day that we had free, rehearsal starts again tonite. And speaking of the production, its getting more and more exciting as well as bizarre!! I no longer feel comfortable calling it an opera….its more of a progressive theater collage. The crazy/cool scenery is an art piece in itself! The props have come to include a real jeep that drives onto the stage several times, likely breaking some sort of law against exhaust fumes in a closed building, two trojan horses (one of which pukes “semen” in the second act), three fake guns that fire, lots of scary masks and even a bit of good old stage blood.
Rehearsals are usually quite chaotic with screaming and banging on stage, the director shouting directions through an unbelievably loud microphone, and us orchestra members desperately trying to hear ourselves play. A completely different play has been woven into the Meistersinger story and plays along side. Quite dramatic and deep: german revolution, mass vs. individuality, and execution (hence the guns). Amidst the chaos its really starting to grow on me 
. In Luxembourg its advertised as “Opera”, which, as I’ve said, it certainly ISN’T! I interpret it as a commentary on high art and german culture, or a perhaps better said, a parody. Before the last musical number is a quite intense scene, the end of the other play (by someone named Tolle), where two of the main characters are excecuted after some very deep dialogue. The orchestra then comes in with the joyful Meistersinger theme, celebrating the winner of the song contest. The effect is deliciously ridiculous! As I said, it’s growing on me! I’m hoping, as all are I believe, that the audience shows up in their finest opera attire expecting an entertaining evening of opera. Will we be booed? Will they even stay to see the end? I’m excited to find out!
