My peregrinations from March 30 to May 12, 2008

Most time on the Canary Islands was spent in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

I already wrote you that my thirst for opera was not satisfied in Italy. But fortunately in Spain I did find very high quality performances, especially in Barcelona at Liceu Theater. Enjoyed there
3 evenings. But even greater surprise awited me in Las Palmas de G.C., where a good production of rarely performed THAIS by Massenet was staged, though this city is not considered as an important cultural center. In Valencia I listened to THE BARBER OF SEVILLA, etc. And BTW all the tickets were very cheap -- surely not the best seats.

After Gran Canaria I went to Fuerteventura Island and flew back to Girona/Barcelona. And from there to Mallorca -- the largest of the Balearic Islands. Its capital La Palma was in 14 century the major center of cartography -- the most prominent cartographers were Jews, especially Abraham Cresque. His atlas kept in the French National Library carries the best geographical knowledge before the Age of Discovery. Jacam de Mallorca (?) -- perhaps Abraham's son -- was an adviser to the Portughese prince Henry the Navigator. And I think he gave him the idea of passing the Cape Bojador.

Besides ancient monuments of La Palma I visited on the island the village of Valdemossa, where Frederic Chopin and George Sand spent one winter. (This visit I dedicate to my famous friend Rose Bunchik, who is a Chopin admirer.)

Back on the continent I was in Valencia.

After that I found myself for 2 days in Rome -- could not afford more time, preferred again Florence.

And from Livorno by ferry I arrived to Corsica. Crossed it by train and bus from North to South -- magnificent landscapes. Visited there 4 towns: Bastia, Corte, Ajaccio, Bonifacio -- every next better than the previous one. But unfortunately very expensive.

By ferry crossed to Sardinia, but explored only the Northern part, mainly the ancient city of Alghero, from where flew to Milan.

At last moment in Italy managed to attend the premiere performance of the new opera 1984 by Lorin Maazel at La Scala. Surely he himself conducting.

By airplane arrived to Brussels and spent 4 days in the Netherlands. For the first time I was in the world famous garden Keukenhof, which opens only for April and May during the tulips bloom. Explored better also Leiden and Utrecht.

Now I am near Brugge and have other 8 days for Belgium.

Then 3 days in Dublin -- and will arrive to New York on May 23, 2008.

So see some friends soon home!

your Leo