Winter Was Long!

But full of good music.

The major treats?

Joan Baez. Gotta love it when an icon's current work is as interesting as her classic work.

Alberta Ballet's production of Joni Mitchel's the Fiddle and the Drum. An extraordinary collaboration of installation art, dance and the music. Spell binding.

Met Opera's Live HD transmissions. Got to three this year. The Salome was rewardingly intense. La Sonnambula had the cast born to sing the major roles. Alas a stage director's conceit damaged the production. La Cenerentola - just about perfect in every sense. I doubt that I have heard the ensembles sung with better matched voices.

Hearing the Duhks at SAIT - what a treat to feel their energy in an intimate venue!

Two jazz concerts - a group of young musicians at BeatNiq that were spellbinding and a classic jazz master at Epcor Engineered Air Theatre. Transporting music both nights.

Now to get ready for the summer. Am already pumped about the Calgary Folk Festival - the scope of the artists leaked promises four magical summer days, and Michael Franti says he is coming to it as well - oh yes that will be a show stopper performance again!