Magical evening in the city of culture
From the moment we were handed our complimentary copy of the special edition Evening Echo as we boarded the spotless park-and-ride bus, everything ran like clockwork.
Even St Swithin became an honorary Corkman as 10,000 people stood at sunset for the lowering of the Tricolor under a cloudless blue sky.
Then the performance, from the wonderful Czech Symphony Orchestra, the exquisite soprano Paola Sanguinetti, and the star himself, who was simply superb.
I know we were lucky to get tickets and that there were many disappointed fans who weren’t so fortunate.
I’m sure also there was heavy corporate booking, which was evidenced by a small minority of philistines and posers who were obviously present to be seen rather than to appreciate the music.
But the vast majority were there because of the man and his music and they showed their appreciation enthusiastically.
Afterwards we decided to walk down Patrick’s Hill to the car park rather than wait for the buses. This was a fitting end to a magical evening. As the city lights twinkled and the newly glamourised Patrick Street beckoned, I thought of the words of Sean Ó Faoláin: “All the little lights of the city, like a stage with footlights.”
Yes, last Friday night I was proud to be a Corkonian.
Berna Gordon
Kilcrea
Ovens
Co Cork
