Catching up on music, part 1

When we were in Manhattan last month, we weren't able to get to any plays (for a variety of reasons that aren't worth describing). I did hear some music, however.

Around 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. on our second afternoon there, I called Carnegie Hall.

"You don't have any tickets still available for the Mariinsky [mar-IN-ski] Orchestra this evening, do you?"

"Well, yes, we do have a few tickets for the Mariinsky [MAR-ee-IN-ski] Orchestra. I can give you something in row F for $165. Or 10 rows farther back for $145. And I have an obstructed view seat in the Dress Circle for $35."

Would that all decisions were so easy!

Turns out "Dress Circle" means "Nosebleed Territory," but my seat was fabulous! It was on the aisle, a little left of center and the "obstruction" was a narrow column 10 feet ahead of me and off to the right. It blocked my view of 2 cellos and 2 double basses. That's it. I had a perfect view of the other 65 performers.

The program was a couple Tchaikovsky symphonies, and I thought they were both fine but not spectacular. What was spectacular, however, was the performance. I don't know whether to credit the orchestra or the acoustics or my mood or what, but that was the clearest, sharpest, most beautiful sound I've ever heard in any concert hall anywhere.

To sum up:

• A bargain ticket
• An evening stroll through Manhattan
• A wonderful seat in Carnegie Hall!
• A fabulous performance
• A nighttime stroll back to the hotel,

Not too shabby!