The organist librarian

9.10 train to Caterham - got poster put up for carols cost £4. People already there, Tamil hymn rehearsed with lady at piano. Flute. Canadian soloist decided to sing unaccompanied. Twice I was asked to transpose at sght which I cannot do. Sextet and soloist sang Take him Lord to Wesley Lead me Lord - went well. I played 15 minutes. Va pensiero went well and I managed all the sharps F sharp major. Congregation big and really sang I cannot tell, Be still my soul, Guide me. Priya from Sri Lanka. His wife comes to 8 o clock. Got 12.05 train only to find train at Norwood Junction cancelled so abandoned going to interfaith lunch and went to Balham library via East Croydon and Clapham Junction. Identified all but 2 of the fish so have printed the fish guides. Listened to choral evensongs from Edington, Edinburgh and RSCM at Lincoln. Mary Berry visiting Scone House. 

Liz stayed at Acton and babysat so she could go to Ciaran's assembly. I went to art and finished the Jersey picture and did the ground for the Iguassu picture. We set off after lunch for Rochester airport and had a very nice room at the Holiday Inn. Had a short swim and to Rochester cathedral for evensong. Purcell in E minor. I felt the young assistant overconducted and there was not enough piano singing especially in Call to remembrance. The 6 men did well but tended to sing rather loudly. Saw Ben afterwards. We were back in time for the Medway Towns meeting and an excellent dinner with Michael and Ubbo Bakker. Slept well and had a swim and sauna and jacuzzi. Very good breakfast and then to St Thomas of Canterbury Rainham where Pete showed us the parish centre and church and we briefly met the new priest. It will be fine for the quiet day in May. Went to hearing aid clinic and I am due for a test and new moulds. He sorted out the broken left one and the tube and cleaned out the m...

After breakfast straight to Empire State building. There is an interesting exhibition on the 80th floor and we had audio guides. From the 86th the views are stunning - it was  bit overcast but sun did come through. We had coffee at Europa bar where you choose your salad according to calories and they shred it! To American Museum of Natural history which has the most amazing dinosaur collection and early mammals and lovely birds and African animals in displays. Also looked at African peoples section - there was much more to see but we went over to Central park and had our salad and then walked to Columbus circle where we visited the museum of arts and design which had some lovely things. Back to Leo House to change and a quick bite at local bakery and to the Met. Raining but Lincoln centre looked wonderful. Macbeth was amazing with fabulous singing from Netrebko, Pape and Calleja. The chorus and orchestra were superb and the sound is very good. We sat in the balcony. Surprised that...

Another lie-in after a disturbed night. Thank God Scotland said No! To Balham library to return all scores and get guidebooks. Spent the afternoon finishing the picture framing and 3 are now up on the wall! To ENO for Otello which must be the greatest of all operas. Stuart Skelton was stunning and so was Leah Crocetto. Jonathan Summers as Iago chilling and powerful. Chorus fabulous and brilliant conducting by Edward Gardner.

Had a lie-in. To see Fr Paul to discuss Sept 29th. Treasurer has gone - hurrah! He was talking of doing away with the psalm which I think would be a pity. Any way I am appreciated. Had nice cakes with coffee. He was very relaxed in shorts. To Hackney picture house on overground to see 'Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh beach' and it was very well done. I got to the hall before Liz who had been packing for the weekend and baking cakes. Joseph Calleja gave us some Verdi arias with ringing tone and the Milan orchestra did well in Tchaikovsky Manfred. Came home and listened to Schubert pianos prom on radio. Printed off fliers for recitals. Met Linda who told me about the Met.

A quiet and messy day at home with Ciarán! He enjoyed water play, track and books. To Trafalgar Square to watch Royal Opera BP relay of Falstaff. Superb singing and production - sat on steps. Really enjoyed it! Got a BP cap and took my cushion.

I woke early so watched Boccanegra from Covent Garden on Iplayer. Placido Domingo was terrific - a great production introduced by Antonio Pappano.

Another lovely sunny day. I waited for Ann to come on Skype but she must have been out. Liz went up to Grandma's to see the carpet man and visited the hospital twice. I got the train to Coulsdon to plan music for October and November with Vickie. Norman Harper now at St George's cathedral, Southwark gave an excellent recital at St Michael's which overran! It included a Handel concerto, Buxtehude and Bach. Then a delightful voluntary by William Russell and "Lucis creator" by Thomas Hyde and commissioned by Norman. Debussy Arabesque No. 2 worked really well on the organ and the Final from Vierne's Symphony No. 6 to a rousing conclusion. Had a chat to Martin Ball and saw Adrian and Terence. In fact it was a day for meeting people - Mary, Bob Atkinson and Trevor. I dropped in the invite to the Catenian clergy supper at St Chad's and the secretary said her son used to be in the children's choir! Omelette for lunch and I did the ironing while watching the HD...