Something unexpected always happens in Mongolia.
Yesterday was the day of the opening of Odnoo's sister's new restaurant, and she had invited Odnoo & me and some more people for lunch there. At least that's what I thought. This proved to be the opening also of the hotel in which the restaurant is located and the "lunch" was a huge party for more than 100 people. It started with the cutting of the red ribbon, adorned with the khadag (blue ceremonial scarf), went on with mulled wine, the chanting and blessing of a lama, a four course gourmet lunch with all imaginable drinks (including sparkling wine), traditional Mongolian music and modern Mongolian music performed by professional artists, the guests singing songs and many gifts presented from the guests.
To give you an idea of this festive event, here are some snapshots.
A professional musician playing the morin khuur (horse-headed fiddle) accompanying a traditional long song (it doesn't mean that it's a long song, but that each syllable is extended).
Professional singer Narantuya performing a beautiful modern but still traditional song.
As if all this excitement wasn't enough for one day, all of a sudden Odnoo and me were invited to the Duuriin Teatr (the opera) for last night's performance of Aida. Our seats were in row 2! What we didn't know then was that it was the first performance ever of this opera in Mongolia, and thus again a huge celebration awaited us, with the presence of dignitaries such as the Minister of Culture and Education. The elegant lady who introduced the evening told us that the preparations had taken two years and that in the summer of 2012 they will perform in the Gobi desert. I just have to go there. Could you ever imagine that it would be possible to watch Aida in the Gobi, performed by Mongolian singers and musicians? It's a must. If I get to know more details I will let you know. I'm sure that more than one of you would be interested!
It was a beautiful production in the traditional style, with gorgeous costumes, all locally designed and produced. There was an interesting photo exhibition to show rehearsals, props & drops being produced etc, and some costume sketches were also on display.
Singers and orchestra did an excellent job (I especially liked Amonasro) - Verdi would have been just so pleased to see his magnificent and demanding opera performed in Ulaanbaatar! I have seen Aida many times, especially in Verona during the summer festival, and in my opinion this production can in many ways serve as inspiration for more glorious opera houses around the world. Oh, I almost forgot: on stage were not only people. Two horses made their appearance, as did an eagle (yes, an eagle!) and a wolf. And there were surtitles in Mongolian.
The second act of the first ever performance. If you enlarge the picture you will see the music in detail.
Aida.
Yesterday was the day of the opening of Odnoo's sister's new restaurant, and she had invited Odnoo & me and some more people for lunch there. At least that's what I thought. This proved to be the opening also of the hotel in which the restaurant is located and the "lunch" was a huge party for more than 100 people. It started with the cutting of the red ribbon, adorned with the khadag (blue ceremonial scarf), went on with mulled wine, the chanting and blessing of a lama, a four course gourmet lunch with all imaginable drinks (including sparkling wine), traditional Mongolian music and modern Mongolian music performed by professional artists, the guests singing songs and many gifts presented from the guests.
To give you an idea of this festive event, here are some snapshots.
 |
| Two generations. |
 |
| Lama chanting. |
A professional musician playing the morin khuur (horse-headed fiddle) accompanying a traditional long song (it doesn't mean that it's a long song, but that each syllable is extended).
 |
| Odnoo's sister. |
As if all this excitement wasn't enough for one day, all of a sudden Odnoo and me were invited to the Duuriin Teatr (the opera) for last night's performance of Aida. Our seats were in row 2! What we didn't know then was that it was the first performance ever of this opera in Mongolia, and thus again a huge celebration awaited us, with the presence of dignitaries such as the Minister of Culture and Education. The elegant lady who introduced the evening told us that the preparations had taken two years and that in the summer of 2012 they will perform in the Gobi desert. I just have to go there. Could you ever imagine that it would be possible to watch Aida in the Gobi, performed by Mongolian singers and musicians? It's a must. If I get to know more details I will let you know. I'm sure that more than one of you would be interested!
It was a beautiful production in the traditional style, with gorgeous costumes, all locally designed and produced. There was an interesting photo exhibition to show rehearsals, props & drops being produced etc, and some costume sketches were also on display.
Singers and orchestra did an excellent job (I especially liked Amonasro) - Verdi would have been just so pleased to see his magnificent and demanding opera performed in Ulaanbaatar! I have seen Aida many times, especially in Verona during the summer festival, and in my opinion this production can in many ways serve as inspiration for more glorious opera houses around the world. Oh, I almost forgot: on stage were not only people. Two horses made their appearance, as did an eagle (yes, an eagle!) and a wolf. And there were surtitles in Mongolian.
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