Happy endings...

A Weekend full of happy endings:
Friday, visited show of functional art or art following function exhibit at the MOFAH.
Interesting concept: the Glass chair;
More art than functional item: the 'Material peeled back' chair ;-) (albeit sized for a midget);
Functional but kinda Hollywoodish chair: the 'Flying Carpet' chair;
Functional AND beautiful: the 'Bone Rocker'... heave two plush pillows on that and get rocking, it looked THAT invitingly comfortable!

Saturday: Opera at U of H: 'Il Viaggio a Reims' by Rossini. A fluff piece, a comedy lending it self to slapstick pratfalls, etc. but with very pleasant and cheerful music. Student singers and orchestra etc. in fine fettle. IMO only vocally outstanding women were: Julia Cramer as the fashion crazy Comtesse Folleville, Amanda Kingston as Corinna, the poetess. Among the men: Gabriel Preisser as Don Profondo, Sean Brabant as Don Luigino, a cousin of Folleville.
Abigail Levis, as Modestina, Folleville's maid, showed great comedic acting talent and timing,
and Kyle Knappenberger as Lord Sidney rendered "God save the King" nobly.Samuel Ramey as Lord Sidney .
The attempt to Yodel in the last act by Don Profondo and Gwendolyn Alfred as Mme Cortese, a Tyrolean innkeeper, was absolutely hilarious. It was utterly enjoyable.

No one was murdered, killed or other wise maimed. A Happy ending!

On Sunday another fluff piece of operatic comedy: Donizettis' "L'Elisir d'Amore" put on by HGO.
Liam Bonner as Belcore, impressed greatly (HGOStudio alumnus with great future-soon to debut at The Met) with big sonorous voice and good stage presence plus great ability to act.
Russian Soprano Ekaterina Siurina was a mellifluous voiced Adina. Iowan Tenor John Osborn, a last minute "Einspringer", replacing previously scheduled Eric Cutler, who with drew for family reasons, was a very credible Nemorino with considerable acting talent, sound in voice and athletic ability. Veteran Bass Baritone Alessandro Corbelli sang and acted Dr. Dulcamara with great aplomb, ably supported by Mime actor, another last minute "Einspringer", Houstonian Adam van Wagoner, who at times stole the show, so to speak.

And a very Happy Ending again.. Boy gets his Girl.

Two more Happy Endings: the Houston Aeros won BOTH games against the San Antonio Rampage on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon in San Antonio.

What more can on ask of a pleasant weekend in the arts, sports and with the weather!