5
Jul
Yes, surprising as it may sound, I just had a wonderful night in Manchester, and nothing to do with food. If anything, the food was the bad part of the adventure. First, horrid fish & chips at a Road Chef on the motorway, then a disgusting steak sandwich at the Lowry hotel where I was staying, followed the next morning by a seriously poor breakfast — the room was lovely though. Thankfully, food was not why I had gone up to Manchester. I was there for the opening concert of the Manchester festival, in a space especially designed for it by my friend Zaha.
As to be expected, the space is spectacular. It also works brilliantly as a recital venue which made the pianist, Piotr Anderszewski, very happy. I am not sure if this proved to be an added inspiration but his performance of Bach’s Partitas 2 & 5 and English Suite 6 was beautiful. And of course, Zaha herself is totally fabulous, an absolute genius.
As for the audience, they were a mixed bag. Some stylish and others less so.
The evening finished with a reception in one of the galleries of the Manchester City Art Gallery (the space is created in one of the top rooms). Zaha said a few gracious words and I left shortly afterwords. All in all a fabulous evening. Such a shame about the food.
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There is 4 comments on this post
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July 5, 2009 at 5:07 am
I love Manchester. I love their humour and accents. Perhaps you should have tried the Indian restaurants there which are really good.
Years ago when I was a young photographer I took pictures of a young Zaha Hadid at her little mews house in London.
I would like to have met you on your trip to England Helou!
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July 5, 2009 at 5:13 am
how funny. it was in kynance mews. we had such great times there, and elsewhere. perhaps we should meet now. would be fun. i should have thought to ask you for recommendations. next time.
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July 5, 2009 at 9:19 am
Sounds like it was an amazing night! It’s too bad about the food but to be surrounded by beautiful music in a space designed by the genius that is Zaha Hadid was enough to make it an unforgettable night I’m sure!
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July 5, 2009 at 9:31 am
you can say that again mayssam. it was totally great.