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Rijksmuseum
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This has been a very special week indeed. Before heading off to Europe back in October of 2012 to explore the possibilities of
Benedictine Monasticism in France, I worked for the
Seattle Symphony as their Special Events Manager. Part of my role was to design a 10 day tour to Europe for board members and donors, including great performances of classical music, museum tours and sight seeing. The endeavor was something I enjoyed immensely, and though I was unable to see it to its completion, I was able to help in the beginning stages of the design process, concocting a 10 day tour that would begin in London, move to Amsterdam and conclude in Brussels with a perfect performance of Mozart's stunning opera, "
Cosi fan Tutte," conducted by
Seattle Symphony's own
Music Director, Ludovic Morlot.
You can imagine my excitement when I learned that I could join this tour for several events during their stay in Amsterdam and Brussels. And when I met up with the group of 18 for the first time in front of the newly reopened
Rijksmusem, it most certainly felt like a kind of joyful homecoming. That our actual museum tour was so unforgettable simply added to the overall experience. Our very knowledgeable guide ushered us through the monumental-sized museum, passed hoards of crowds in order to get us up close and personal with famous works by
Vermeer, Rembrandt and many other world-renowned artists. The very sight of this many masterpieces was enough to bring a number of us to tears.
Afterwards we indulged in the
Vincent Van Gogh Museum, delving deep into his life and works, and discovering the man behind the thick paint, infamous sunflowers and tragic demise. Thanks to our guide the story of the art and its artist came alive for us all.
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| Eel Sandwich |
The balance of my day was spent enjoying time with my favorite Dutch friends, eating unforgettable meals of smoked eel and Dutch pastries, touring charming Dutch villages, one of which was celebrating the printing release of its new hymnal and had turned the town into one big festive gathering, culminating in a sung mass inside the church, where they were serving beer, cake and coffee! (Why can't mass be like that everywhere!?) And of course my driving tour included endless fields of quintessential "quiet" Dutch scenery straight out of a "golden age" era painting with munching cattle, galloping geese and fat, plushy lambs.
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Street Band
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Though I was not able to join the group for the brilliant performances at the
Concertgebouw, hearing about them, in particular, the concert performance of Wagner's romantic opera,
The Flying Dutchman, featuring the
Concertgebouw Orchestra, was almost as good as being there. Seeing the thrilled expressions on everyone's face as they described the performance was proof of its greatness! Unfortunately our time in Amsterdam came to a close too soon, but while boarding the bus for Brussels, I made a promise to myself to return again because Amsterdam is -
a romantic city, full of fabulous sight-seeing and is one unforgettable stop on your travel adventure!
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| SSO Tour Group |
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| Van Gogh Sunflowers |
You can imagine my excitement when I learned that I could join this tour for several events during their stay in Amsterdam and Brussels. And when I met up with the group of 18 for the first time in front of the newly reopened Rijksmusem, it most certainly felt like a kind of joyful homecoming. That our actual museum tour was so unforgettable simply added to the overall experience. Our very knowledgeable guide ushered us through the monumental-sized museum, passed hoards of crowds in order to get us up close and personal with famous works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and many other world-renowned artists. The very sight of this many masterpieces was enough to bring a number of us to tears. 
Afterwards we indulged in the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, delving deep into his life and works, and discovering the man behind the thick paint, infamous sunflowers and tragic demise. Thanks to our guide the story of the art and its artist came alive for us all. 
The balance of my day was spent enjoying time with my favorite Dutch friends, eating unforgettable meals of smoked eel and Dutch pastries, touring charming Dutch villages, one of which was celebrating the printing release of its new hymnal and had turned the town into one big festive gathering, culminating in a sung mass inside the church, where they were serving beer, cake and coffee! (Why can't mass be like that everywhere!?) And of course my driving tour included endless fields of quintessential "quiet" Dutch scenery straight out of a "golden age" era painting with munching cattle, galloping geese and fat, plushy lambs.
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