Entries for January 28 - 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Saturday, Jan 28, 1911
Exam in music history so I didn't go down town at all.  Practiced, got harmony, wrote home, amused Fran, etc.  Al and F. Z. came about 7:30 (7?).  We hadn't fussed up because we tho't we were going to the Hippodrome.  Instead saw Forbes-Robertson in "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" at the Garrick.  Sorry, for it was a fine chance to wear our good clothes.  Nice time.



Forbes-Robinson in silent film of stage play



IN RITA'S DAY:  Going to the Hippodrome was going to a vaudeville production and not as classy as going to see a stage play at the Garrick Theater.  Forbes-Robinson was quite famous in his day.  G.B.Shaw thought Forbes-Robinson portrayed Hamlet better than anyone.  In the play Rita saw, it seems that he was supposed to be a Christ figure, but at the time dealing with such a religious figure was something producers had to be very careful about.

Judy's Entry: Friday, Jan 28, 2011

Busy day.  Daughter was home so it was great to have some time to talk.  Made lunch then after got ready to go to the city to hear the NY Philharmonic.  Diane drove as usual and we found good, cheap parking.  Then walked 6 or 7 blocks to find the restaurant - a great Jewish deli named Fine and Schapiro.  Walking was sloppy.  Every corner had huge puddles of melted snow.  At least one third of the cars parked on the street were still buried in snow.  Garbage is starting to pile up, but still Lincoln Center was beautiful with the snow and trees covered in lights.  I enjoyed the two symphonies, one by Beethoven and the other by Nielson very much.  I could have done without the soprano in the middle.  Still, a most enjoyable evening.

Alan Gilbert directing the NY Philharmonic

TODAY: People really don't dress for concerts like the used to.  For example, Diane was wearing jeans and I was wearing the same shoes that I wore for snowshoeing.  Of course, the record breaking snow caused some of it. We did wear our necklaces and pins.  Alan Gilbert is a new director but he was great.  I read somewhere he will be making over a million  a year.  Probably worth it if he can bring back the audience.