Leeds Minster

Wednesday excellent breakfast. To St Anne's cathedral for 10 a.m. Couldn't find anyone eventually to the house and Mgr MacQueen. Lots of phone calls to Ben Saunders who knew nothing about it. It seems the young music administrator had told nobody! Eventually Emmett the sacristan took us to the console but he turned the key twice - I can't think why! Result no sound so we abandoned the attempt. It was all embarrassing and annoying and apologies all round but it should not have happened! Tea at Leeds art gallery and a look around - interesting displays about British landscape. To Leeds college of music for free concert by Junior Royal conservatoire of Scotland. Excellent trumpeter, oboe and pianist. Schoolkids present were getting restless and the teacher did not help! The Albinoni oboe concerto and the Chopin scherzo were outstanding. To the Minster where there had been a big musical funeral. Once the place cleared I was left to play and it was a treat. Simon Lindley was friendly and helpful. Back to hotel to read and then to Los Iguanos for an enjoyable 3 course meal - I had mushrooms, lamb and pecan sundae.
To Makropolous case at the Grand - same row seats but further over. A much bigger and more responsive audience and a class of hgh school kids who had studied the opera all day! Excellent production and singing better than ENO. James Cresswell and Ylva Kihlbery led a strong cast conducted by Richard Farnes. Most enjoyable.