Saturday, January 19, 2013

Week 3 Focus On Life: Take Time



This week our photo prompt was to take time, time for ourselves.  I thought about all the things I do every day and that many times during the day I am involved in activities that are "taking time just for me."  And often they do "recharge" me.  But I wanted to come up with something that is recharging but not part of my daily routine and I thought about listening to one of my favorite operas.  It is by Philip Glass and I was so privileged to see it live from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in HD at a local movie theater on Nov. 11, 2011.  This opera Satyagraha, is about Gandhi's concept of non violent resistance to injustice.  The third act is about Martin Luther King ( so appropriate for this Martin Luther King Day weekend.) 

This is a picture my CD of the opera

I hardly own any opera CDs but I had to have this after I attended the performance.  I love Philip Glass' music.  It is full of repetitions and beautiful melodies which I find so soothing, "recharging" and inspiring. 

You can listen to an excerpt from Satyagraha  here  It is a lovely solo piece called Protest.


This picture gives you a sense of the amazing visuals in this performance of 2011

 I have been fortunate to attend a number of opera performances here at a local theater and this afternoon I will be seeing  the  Met Live Performance of Donizetti"s Maria Stuarda  with friends and happily taking more time for myself and recharging.
Lets see what others do to recharge here.


A special thank you to all who visited my post last week and wrote such wonderful comments.  I really appreciate hearing from you.  I hope to get around to many of your  "taking time" posts this weekend.

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29 comments:

  1. Lorelei Eurto19/1/13 07:40

    Lovely way to spend some time!! I'll have to give that a listen!

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    1. Mary Harding19/1/13 08:42

      thanks for stopping L. I just listened to it again. So beautiful!!

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  2. baymoondesign19/1/13 08:29

    Thanks for sharing the amazing photoof the scene.

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  3. Mary Harding19/1/13 08:43

    Thanks for stopping by Kathy. So glad you enjoyed the set and scene photo.

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  4. Mystic Indigo19/1/13 08:54

    Oh, goody! I will check this out...I love opera, but rarely take the time to go and watch live performances...I'm one of those people that bursts out in tears when watching live performances and have to take loads of tissues and not wear any make-up...so emotionally filling I spill over! Thank you for sharing this...I've never heard of this one before!

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  5. Claire19/1/13 09:10

    what a special way to recharge and take time! i'm not an opera fan, but i do like philip glass, so i'll check this out - thank you :)
    have a great week!
    [no. 13 this week]

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  6. Patti Vanderbloemen19/1/13 09:59

    What I like most about your post is the memories it brought back to you! And, now you have given me ideas of how to "recharge myself"! I used to "live" for music - I have hundreds (hides head in shame) of CD's that have not left their protective case in years! I am going to dust them off and give them a listen because of you! Thanks, Mary!

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  7. Alice19/1/13 10:29

    What a wonderful way to recharge. Your scene photo is fantastic! I've never been to an opera but it sounds fascinating.

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  8. AntiquityTravelers19/1/13 10:47

    How wonderful! I haven't seen this, but sounds like something I would really enjoy!

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  9. EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC19/1/13 14:59

    Awesome way to spend your time! Love the photo you included!

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  10. Alicia19/1/13 16:02

    Lovely way to relax! I keep forgetting about the Met Live performances - thanks for the reminder and for sharing this special moment with us! Enjoy your afternoon @ Met :)

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  11. Tanya19/1/13 17:09

    That sounds like such a nice way to take time for yourself. It is so nice to have a piece of music that can take you away.

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  12. Bits of Learning19/1/13 17:28

    Mary, thank you so much for sharing the link, I have not heard of this opera before, the music is beautiful. I can see how it can recharge your creativity!!

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  13. Beti Horvath19/1/13 17:34

    thank you for sharing your love of opera with us. Though not a huge fan, I am enjoying the link you posted as I type this.

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  14. Anindita Basu19/1/13 21:30

    Thanks for sharing this amazing piece. I have to check it out. Coming from India I have a soft corner for this historical aspect...my parents have gone through the freedom fight and I have heard the impression Gandhi ji left on them.

    Dita

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  15. so many memories19/1/13 22:34

    What a beautiful piece you shared! My father-in-law loves opera and has many CDs and DVDs. I think it is a perfectly lovely way to take time for yourself!

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  16. Meeling19/1/13 22:44

    What a wonderful way to take some time for you! I haven't listened to much opera lately, but I do enjoy it!

    (I'm #40 this week)

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  17. Lesley20/1/13 05:42

    What a lovely way to take some time for yourself...I used to work opposite the Royal Festival Hall in London and went to a couple of concerts of Philip Glass music and agree it is wonderful.Thank you for sharing the link.

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  18. Laura Twiford20/1/13 08:53

    Music really does speak to our souls and hearts doesn't it? It can totally transform our way of thinking and feeling. I would imagine this would be great to have on in the studio as well.

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  19. Therese's Treasures20/1/13 09:35

    Hi Mary,
    Opera, what a wonderful way to spend some soothing me time listening to amazing singers telling a story.
    Therese

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  20. Becky Pancake20/1/13 11:11

    Mary, It is fun to hear & see your memory of something wonderful to you. Music really can be inspiring.

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  21. Juli Cannon20/1/13 12:42

    I love that your YOU time is spent feeding your soul with song and memories...what a wonderful way to affirm the self.

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  22. Holly20/1/13 15:38

    What a wonderful way of stealing a bit for yourself! I love the opera, but admit that I don't listen much. I'll be adding this to my small repetoire of opera pieces!

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  23. Karen Williams20/1/13 18:16

    Thank you for sharing such wonderful memories and experiences. I have only been to a couple of operas - it's not a medium I'm well acquainted or comfortable with - but reading your post makes me want to give it another try.

    Hope you enjoyed last night's performance.

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  24. TesoriTrovati21/1/13 11:31

    Thank you for introducing me to this music! It is lovely and what a great way to recharge. Enjoy the day. Erin

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  25. Mary K. McGraw21/1/13 12:38

    Thanks for sharing what recharges you. Music can really touch our soul.

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  26. Shel23/1/13 09:47

    What a lovely way to spend your 'me time'! Thanks for the intro to the music,..I'm always up for something new!

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  27. fairiesmarket23/1/13 19:28

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