And as a footnote don't forget, Broucek enthusiasts, that Jiri Belohlavek is conducting the BBCSO and an all Czech cast (well 'all Slavic', as the lawyers seem to have cautioned) in a 'concert staging' next Sunday (25th) at the Barbican. Any other MBers going? 

It will obviously be broadcast on R3 sometime, """"""""""'live""""""""""' but presumably not live. 

Excellent! Shouldn't we three all be in bed by now though?

(Sorry, I'll rephrase that. Shouldn't we individually, or not necessarily individually of course, but not 'not individually'  in company with another of the individual......you know what I mean.)

Incidentally, if anyone is thinking of coming along on spec to Mr Broucek on Sunday I keep getting letters and e-mails (three so far!) from the BBC and the Barbican telling me that it really does start at 7.00 not 7.30. Apparently some of the publicity somewhere had it down as 7.30.

There's something a bit Roger Wrightish about this 7.00 start obsession. But even then they don't broadcast it live

Assuming there's an interval at this, we'll probably be hanging around the bar (the one nearest the lake) at the interval, and would be delighted to say "hello" to any of you who are there.

I'll probably wear a jumper with multicoloured stripes for ease of recognition. Otherwise we've got greying hair, specs etc, same as 99% of the audience

Sorry we did not meet up too, Harpy. I did have a look out for multi-coloured stripes near the bars in both the circle and stalls levels but didn't identify you I'm afraid. A complete dearth of stripes! I was half-expecting my reconnoitring behavour to attract attention (from the security staff if no one else). If it did I was the inoffensive chap in the brown pullover circling rather oddly.

But I agree. I thought it was very good. I didn't know it all before except for one dimly remembered radio broadcast some time ago but it seemed to me very well done particularly by the soloists who presumably knew their roles inside out. All relying on scores though. I rather envied you for having had a seminar on the piece beforehand. I would definitely have benefited from that I think.

A real treat though. I suppose in it's satiric fantasy style it reminded me of 'The Nose' as much as anything, I mean theatrically, not musically. I wonder if Shostakovich knew it. I didn't know that it was being recorded for CD as well so thanks for that. I suppose it helps explain why someone was kind enough to fly a top-notch Czech cast in all for our pleasure and convenience at just one performance. I may as well get it out of the way and admit that I'm now seriously in love with Maria Haan (Malinka etc) who I thought sang wonderfully. And I am coming more and more to the view that Jiri Belohlavek is A Very Good Thing. The BBCSO certainly looked to me much more bright and bushy-tailed under his leadership.

Did you notice, by the way, that not only was John Tusa there (as ever) but also Nicholas Kenyon and.......Roger Wright, chief demon of the moment but looking rather pleased with himself. No, I didn't quite have the nerve to go up and start haranguing him about the R3 Message Boards I'm afraid but I did give him a Paddington Bear stare.         

Are you sure that's a good idea? I wouldn't want to try it.