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Post by Paddy on Jun 17, 2012 19:52:32 GMT
AAhhh.... Thats the one !! This dress came to my mind....because there was the same discussion before.....green,turquiose..blue.... I remember this dress from the St Albans concert. Joyce. ... and so prevail the perspectives of those who WERE present at the concert.  From my perspective (under the bright lights of the centre front row), the dress seemed a greeny blue. Hence 'aquamarine' (a shade between blue and green). As I recall, it seemed a little less blue than in Joyce's photo. To Natasha, from a different position and perspective, the dress seemed I expect others present may describe the colours differently. Also, the decorative stones seemed much lighter than in Joyce's photo, probably due to the much brighter lights in the NCH. Joyce's photo was taken (by myself), using flash, in the dark side aisle of Salisbury Cathedral. Not sure how bright they might seem from UK or USA. Paddy |
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Post by Paddy on Jun 17, 2012 20:02:00 GMT
Hi Alicia, Well read indeed.  Hayley was a little surprised to see the tiny (3 inch diameter) Pure CD ('Baby Hayley' - her comment on another occasion). Then she was a bit puzzled where to find space to sign it. The tiny CD was an unexpected gift from a generous HWI colleague. Paddy |
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Post by Libby on Jun 18, 2012 4:32:47 GMT
Martin, are you kidding? Hayley would not have called that dress green!! Things can look very different under stage lighting. I was making allowances. Martin D Yes, Martin, but do you seriously think Hayley would call that purple dress green? I don't think anyone could ever make that mistake, let alone the person wearing it!  Since when does any lighting make purple look green? Blue or red, maybe, depending on the shade of purple... but never green!  |
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Post by postscript on Jun 18, 2012 8:18:18 GMT
A quick “hello” now I am back and getting settled. Then I’ll see what others have posted to try and not be simply repetitative by starting backwards with my conclusion.
A surprising and unexpected ending—the signing. I had decided that the rain was so bad that I would not make the stage door where there was no shelter. Then, at the end of the concert I felt I could not go without showing her that stage door appreciation and had decided that I would go what ever the rain and at risk of only being able to wave a thumbs up at her, just to let her know how superb it was. She deserved that special effort.
In the event we had a great time chatting amongst ourselves before finally, after a long signing session over which she took her time with everyone, I had a chance to tell her directly how superbly everything had gone. Other titbits followed but for later. For now. Cheers.
Peter S.
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Post by postscript on Jun 18, 2012 8:27:58 GMT
Cheers all. Who's for Ireland?  My third Hayley concert, in Dublin and the day after my birthday..... Isn't that being lucky, huh?!  Lots of love, Juliette x Forgot to wish you happy birthday but glad you made it and it was great seeing you before you "dash off" to Aukland! Safe journey and have a really good time. I'm sure you will--if you managed to get away from the old men concerned at seeing you safely back to your hotel! Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on Jun 18, 2012 8:31:18 GMT
First trip to Eire. Gosh, exciting.
Cheers
Peter S.
and to Juliette and Michal .... also on their first visits to Ireland. Paddy Thanks for that Paddy. I'm sure the other two had as much fun as I did and it was great to se you again. Peter S. |
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Post by Paddy on Jun 18, 2012 8:55:43 GMT
A quick “hello” now I am back and getting settled. Then I’ll see what others have posted to try and not be simply repetitative by starting backwards with my conclusion. For now. Cheers. Peter S. Hi Peter, The concert review podium is all yours ... so far - we Irish are so polite. A real pleasure to meet you again. Come back soon. Paddy |
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Post by Paddy on Jun 18, 2012 8:58:43 GMT
I am!!!!! My third Hayley concert, in Dublin and the day after my birthday..... Isn't that being lucky, huh?! Lots of love, Juliette x Forgot to wish you happy birthday but glad you made it and it was great seeing you before you "https://i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifash off" to Aukland! Safe journey and have a really good time. I'm sure you will--if you managed to get away from the old men concerned at seeing you safely back to your hotel! Peter S. Smiling package safely delivered. A Hayley concert is like 'Tír na nÓg', where no one grows old. Paddy |
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Post by postscript on Jun 18, 2012 10:32:53 GMT
Well, here we go everyone, this is one P Such esquire throwing in his halfpence worth.
Joyce got it right (in my view) as my immediate reaction to that first dress was that it was turquoise.
First the hall. It is extraordinarily narrow and long. The advantage is that you can sit in the middle seats normally reserved for the central aisle in most halls, which wastes the best views. Also, I usually over-ride my preferences in order to sit with other HWI members which puts me nearer the front than I like with orchestras. Here I was in L about 7 rows back, which for orchestral concerts is soundwise where I prefer.
The disadvantage of such layout is you have so many seats to pass to get there unless you are the first in, even then someone came in from the wrong direction and had to pass me to get to theirs—next to me! However, he, with his lady friend was interesting. He was a Morricone fan and had come to Hayley through Paradiso and his trust in Morricone. It was the way Morricone had treated her and the fact he had selected her from so many sopranos and mezzos that had impressed him as Hayley being someone of whom he should take notice.
I am glad to say that before the interval he was clearly Hayleywowed to the extent he waited in the queue to have his programme signed. His lady friend seemed equally to be enjoying herself and it seemed a concert performance was a particular treat for her.
As an aside, as I was getting off the arrival plane I had cause to chat to the two people next to me which led into mentioning the concert and Hayley and hopefully they may have been persuaded to attend. A similar incident on the returning plane gave me the opportunity to spread the word again. Opportunities I always take when I can without, I hope, thrusting Hayley on anyone.
I know that I have mentioned this before to Hayley and I am not suggesting this had anyting to do with it but I emphasised to Hayley how superb I thought was the programme. I know she likes to leave things to “the last minute” but producing a programme with advertising on one side, paying the cost and the programme on the reverse gives one a momento of the evening. Personally, I like to remember the music played and as someone (sorry I forgot to note who) posted, you don’t have to look at the programme beforehand if you want to keep the list a surprise until she sings.
I have to be very careful in my aural criticism as I am at the stage where my hearing is on the verge of needing assistance but that is usually only when having conversations when there is hubbub in the background, such as cafés. I was initially perturbed over the strings and there were a couple of moments at the beginning when I wondered if Hayley’s mike was the quality she usually uses, in relation to the subtleties of range with which it could cope.
Hayley started with her usual trick but in a different way, with the orchestra starting “A Thousand Winds” without her. Interestingly, the audience did not applaud when she came on, they held their peace for the pleasure of the music.
The audience. In my view this was one of the best balanced audiences I have experienced with Hayley. All ages seemed reasonably represented as they are perceived in the mass of society itself. That still being biased towards the older generation I was astounded at the audience’s agility to rise for two standing ovations.
There are times when one feels the audience is of a mood to stand but doesn’t, simply due to its bias towards immobility. This is where it must be very difficult for Hayley to judge her audience’s reaction and the reason for it, not necessarily being as physically responsive as its mood might indicate.
What was clear from the outset was that the audience response was firm clear and definite. This was not just for all songs but periodically was specifically crescendoed. This absorption in her performance was specifically obvious where the orchestra was left with some musical phrases to conclude the song, leaving Hayley standing, waiting. No applause interrupted that moment. The audience was with her to the final dying of the last string’s vibration.
As for Hayley, she was without doubt in magnificent form. Her heart and soul lost in her music, living every second, making the most of every quaver and not just in the full volume to match the orchestral sound but in savouring the delicacy of each meaningful whisper.
In this, the programme showed its worth. Not only was it a superbly well-balanced programme, it enabled her to fulfill the extent of her interpretation. The change from Godfather theme to Barry’s “Out of Africa” for what ever reason (of which Hayley seemed not to know but was the orchestra’s decision) ensured there was no jarring as I believe would have been the case without the change.
Talking with her afterwards, the instagram of her recording equipment she once tweeted was taken in a small studio, it is not home equipment. She is simply experimenting with techniques. Interestingly, she mentioned that she had ventured into aspects of jazz but this is not to be taken as in any way indicating an intention. She is simply, “playing around”.
I am interested in this, not because I am a jazz person but because my learning curve of music is beginning to understand certain aspects of that genre and I have several times told her “I believe the lady could sing the blues if she wanted to.”
Of course she made no specific comment, only that she was “playing around” as part of working out her next album on which she is currently concentrating, rather than looking at an American tour specifically. So sorry guys, any further development there (other than an ‘odd’ opportunity arising) doesn’t seem to be on the cards.
Other members may not be happy with a move towards jazz (were that to be a possibility). My reason for looking at it (being certain it was NOT my thing for most of my life) was discovering a quote from the late Michael Garrick MBE: “Jazz as a development in music is inevitable because it corresponds to the development of human beings psychologically. It just so happens that it sprang up in a particular place at a particular time and so carries a particular history with it.”
Interestingly, I had always thought the nomenclature was ‘spirituality’ but perhaps it was I who used that term when chatting with one of his sons, Gabriel, who continues running the Mike Garrick Big Band, with which John Dankworth and Cleo Laine have been associated.
Unfortunately with so long a signing queue it was unfair to take up more of her time as I would have liked to take up a conversation with her on those lines. I’ll have to see if she is prepared to message me on Twitter but if it is private I may not be able to share.
As usual with anything to do with Hayley the time flew past far too fast and she seemed to be ending the concert before she had begun. Every second of the time was enthralling holding one’s attention to the stage absolutely riveted. To share a whole audience’s view as deeply involved with her as I felt myself added to the enjoyment. The whole hall seemed as one person so harmoniously was she received and as for the ending… Three encores, the applause holding firmly and steadily throughout and two standing ovations. Hayley Westenra, Dublin was a top class performance. Thank you, you wonderful person.
When it came to saying her goodbye at the signing, she paid a special thank you to those of us who had trvalled from afar. Lady, you were sublime.
Peter Such
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Post by postscript on Jun 18, 2012 10:41:13 GMT
Forgot to wish you happy birthday but glad you made it and it was great seeing you before you "https://i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifash off" to Aukland! Safe journey and have a really good time. I'm sure you will--if you managed to get away from the old men concerned at seeing you safely back to your hotel! Peter S. Smiling package safely delivered. A Hayley concert is like 'Tír na nÓg', where no one grows old. Paddy Not that I was in any way perturbed for her! Well responded Paddy. Peter S. |
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Post by Libby on Jun 19, 2012 6:18:13 GMT
However, he, with his lady friend was interesting. He was a Morricone fan and had come to Hayley through Paradiso and his trust in Morricone. It was the way Morricone had treated her and the fact he had selected her from so many sopranos and mezzos that had impressed him as Hayley being someone of whom he should take notice. I am glad to say that before the interval he was clearly Hayleywowed to the extent he waited in the queue to have his programme signed. His lady friend seemed equally to be enjoying herself and it seemed a concert performance was a particular treat for her. Of course she made no specific comment, only that she was “playing around” as part of working out her next album on which she is currently concentrating, rather than looking at an American tour specifically. So sorry guys, any further development there (other than an ‘odd’ opportunity arising) doesn’t seem to be on the cards. Peter Such It's so great to read about a fan who found Hayley because of Paradiso. That's what many of us had been hoping for with this album, so it's nice to finally learn of a specific case like this one. About your American tour remark... did you specifically ask her about a tour, and she said specifically there wouldn't be one (which wouldn't be surprising at all), or did you just make that assumption only because she didn't mention it? I wouldn't expect her to relay her entire schedule for this year, let alone even know it all, at this point. |
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Post by postscript on Jun 19, 2012 11:46:37 GMT
However, he, with his lady friend was interesting. He was a Morricone fan and had come to Hayley through Paradiso and his trust in Morricone. It was the way Morricone had treated her and the fact he had selected her from so many sopranos and mezzos that had impressed him as Hayley being someone of whom he should take notice. I am glad to say that before the interval he was clearly Hayleywowed to the extent he waited in the queue to have his programme signed. His lady friend seemed equally to be enjoying herself and it seemed a concert performance was a particular treat for her. Of course she made no specific comment, only that she was “playing around” as part of working out her next album on which she is currently concentrating, rather than looking at an American tour specifically. So sorry guys, any further development there (other than an ‘odd’ opportunity arising) doesn’t seem to be on the cards. Peter Such It's so great to read about a fan who found Hayley because of Paradiso. That's what many of us had been hoping for with this album, so it's nice to finally learn of a specific case like this one. About your American tour remark... did you specifically ask her about a tour, and she said specifically there wouldn't be one (which wouldn't be surprising at all), or did you just make that assumption only because she didn't mention it? I wouldn't expect her to relay her entire schedule for this year, let alone even know it all, at this point. Hi Libby and everyone. I hope all HWIers who have conversations with Hayley are alive to what might be shared and what ought to be kept private and personal. To answer you fully Libby, the story is this. The last before time I spoke to her she said her management was talking to Boston Pops. I assumed this might be their Christmas show, which would be a change from her Barbican (not necessarily instead of) or a summer tour with them. I didn't press her, primarily because I sensed she would not want me to (she would have found a way to politely not answer had I) and because such an association would be monumental, so I kept quiet. It then turned out to be the present 'one off' and what she told me this time (Dublin) was that it was Mario Frangoulis who asked her and her management were following up the contractual arrangements with Boston Pops, that being the correct procedure. Therefore, I feel able to state that in the Dublin conversation she categorically said there were no current discussions with Boston Pops. That was when she said she was concentrating on the new album. To what extent and for how long she is able to 'play around' I did not pursue. Knowing aspects of the creative process both from personal experience and interacting with other musical artistes this can be a lot of nothing and whether anything substantial emerges only time will tell. Sometimes one plays around and nothing in which one has confidence emerges, then suddenly something sparks a chord, one jots down notes and it can be an almost immediate birth or further delayed for months then suddenly re-ignites. To quote a personal experience. One of the best poems I feel I have ever penned was written 40 years ago, the first three verses having been written in an hour and hardly changed subsequently. The fourth verse was fiddled with for over a year. To crystallise ideas into something meaningful is an erratic process... or may be that is why I am not a professional poet and have only one volume to my name! I think Hayley is just playing around with ideas and what may be may be and what may not be won't be. I would love to interact with her but creativity is a very personal matter too close to the creator's soul to be shared except in rare combinations and those usually only last a short period of time. Hope I haven't wittered on too boringly. Peter S. |
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Post by Libby on Jun 20, 2012 2:41:36 GMT
Okay. I feel a little better. LOL It's probably true there won't be an actual tour anytime very soon. I'm very glad she's working on her album, but I doubt it will be out anytime soon. Maybe late next year, at the earliest. And, of course, there's a wedding to think about, which could very well happen next year. Unless they're planning to wait years like people do, I would think they'd want to do it before the release of her next album, since she's always very busy immediately afterwards. Haha, I keep hoping she'll announce the date soon. :wink:
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Post by fusilier23 on Jun 20, 2012 10:17:11 GMT
For those who care, Lynn Hilary was apparently present, and tweeted to Hayley that she doesn't know her, but she was her successor in CW, and "what a voice." Did anyone spot Miss Hilary? (she's about 5'4," skinny, with dark brown hair and green eyes)
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Post by comet on Jun 20, 2012 16:07:42 GMT
Just in case you guys are wondering why there are so few reports on the Dublin Concert. WE ARE WAITING PATIENTLY
FOR SOME OF OUR FIRST TIME HAYLEY CONCERT GOERS
TO COME BACK ONLINE AFTER THEIR TRAVELS I am beginning to feel like a football hooligan, I am starting to hum, Why are we waiting |
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