Guestbook

We enjoyed the break......The Mastersingers was a production disgrace and will stop us even considering another visit as it was produced by a member of the Wagner family with no respect for the traditions of Bayreuth. It received, quite rightly, a terrific hiss and boo reception when the curtain fell. The singers and orchestra were well received.

Dear Andrew,

We are now back in the UK having had a memorable visit to Lucca.

The city was a real joy, the hotel was excellent, the staff being exceptionally friendly and helpful. The breakfasts were all one could wish for and the open bar ( free) until 1900hrs was greatly appreciated.

The transfers went smoothly and on time, we decided against taking a taxi to  Torre del Largo - cost 165 euros! and instead took the shuttle, just 50 euros, which picked us up from the hotel and returned us there. In addition it enabled us to meet some fascinating and interesting fellow opera lovers!

Butterfly was perhaps a little disappointing but La Boheme was magical. We were glad to be in the gold sector as I suspect the acoustics towards the rear of the auditorium were not too good. If I had one suggestion it would be to ask them to produce a souvenir programme in English.

We enjoyed two other musical events in Lucca and also visited a remarkable sculpture exhibition by Tony Cragge, a totally unexpected pleasure.  We had planned to travel outside the city but the temperature during our stay varied between 34 - 39 degrees centigrade and the best place for the afternoon was our air conditioned bedroom!

What a wonderful 70th birthday present!

Just back from Salzburg.

Your arrangements were all very much appreciated. The Hotel Pitter (and Pitter Keller restaurant) were very good indeed - we had a lovely big room and bath. Mercedes swished us from and to the airport (no.plate VIP 1).

At first we were surprised to be right at the back of the parterre both for the opera and the recitals, but as you said both accoustics and visibility were good.

"Figaro" tremendous production and performance; Sokolov's piano playing was wonderful; Schiff's Schubert sonata was a late work rarely performed - less bubbly and happy than his more popular work.

The frequent buses into the Alte Stadt helped to reduce the walking, pleasant as it was through the Mirabell gardens and over the footbridge.

Just one niggle. We arrived at the hotel at 11.45,( having left home at 5.00,) to be told we could not have our room until 3.0pm - not unreasonable but reception did not offer anywhere to rest , or change before the afternoon in town. The hotel breakfasts were an experience - quite incredible.

We got to the Wolfgansee and the Weisses Rossl. Also - all courtesy Salzburg card- Salzach boat to Heilbrunn and from there cable car up the Untersberg.

Ryan Air worked well. On return the aircraft had to be taken out of service and for an hour no information. Then all was well after only another hour's delay.

Altogether a good holiday.

Dear Andrew  Blair and Jeanette

The opera seats for all 3 operas were excellent - the best for us from every point of view, clear view of the stage, the orchestra and conductor - perfect for sound.

The Kempinski offers first-class service which cannot be faulted and the tea-rooms and spa are splendid. We had expected slightly more luxurious room and bathroom in a 5 star hotel, but it seems only junior suites offer this (at extra cost of course). The very competent and friendly staff moved us to the 1st floor as the lift did not reach the booked room on the 6th floor - too many stairs. But it was very comfortable and room service was excellent. The staff go out of their way to be helpful and the breakfasts were amazing by any standards

So a very satisfactory trip - the opera seats deserve praise - same again next time please (but no Wagner thank you)

Best regards

A & C [London]

   This is just to let you know that our trip to Milan, including the hotel and parking at Heathrow, went extremely well. The Hotel de Ville was ideally situated for our night at the opera as well as the other cultural visits which we made.
   Turandot was a most lavish production and the first half was electrifying. It faded a bit towards the end and the enormous frame of her lover stretched credibility, even more than normal. The audience loved Liu, but did not respond much to the fat prince. Still, the whole atmosphere of La Scala was unforgettable.
   The Last Supper was extraordinary and very well organised and we were most intreagued by our visit to the Villa Necchi Campiglio. There was a Hayez exhibition at the Brera and many other interesting works. We felt that there was plenty to do in Milan and loved the  many old churches and the parks in the spring. We tried several of the listed restaurants and found an interesting eating area around the Navigli. We also dicovered Pecks in the Via Spadari and loaded up on parmesan etc. On Good Friday we went to an excellent performance of JS Bach's St Matthew Passion at the Auditorium.
Thankyou for all your help.
Terry and Jo M

Dear Andrew,

We had a great time in St Petersburg. Hotel was good, All arrangements went smoothly. Performances were great.

Slight ‘Wild West’ feel – especially with the taxis. No meters and tough negotiations to get a reasonable price. We chose to cab it from the hotel to the theatre and vice versa, and price varied from 450 Roubles to 700! But the whole experience was fantastic. We spent two days at the Hermitage and yesterday did St Isaacs, the Church of the Spilled Blood and strolled the Nevsky Prospect. Obviously we barely scratched the surface.

One minor point. The seats in the stalls at the Mariinsky are directly behind the seat in front (ie not staggered and only a very minor ramp). Hence if there is a tall person in front of you,  you miss the middle third of the stage. If the person in front of them is tall, the person directly in front to you constantly moves their head from side to side. I’d recommend Dress Circle seats in boxes 8 – 15, preferably in the front row (or the back row, which is elevated, but not the second row which is on the qame level as the first) would give the best view for both ballet and opera. The theatre is not all that deep so if customers don’t want to sit ‘that far back’ I think they can be reassured that they will have perfect sight lines and see and hear clearly.