National Orchestra of Belgium and Elina Garanca, conducted by Karel Mark Chichon

Another little perk with my husband's new job: we were invited to this concert for the opening of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  Prior to this invitation, I had never heard of Elina Garanca, Latvian mezzo-soprano and celebrated opera singer.

What a wonderful opportunity to discover an amazingly talented singer, who, despite the fact that she was ill on the evening, still sang the first half of the concert as planned, six beautiful pieces from Hector Berlioz's "Les Nuits d'Eté".  Unfortunately, after the break, the director announced that she would be unable to sing the second part of the concert.  But her husband, conductor Karel Mark Chichon, was able to save the evening with Andris Dzenitis's "Preludium".  Composer Dzenitis, also a Latvian national, was in attendance and stood and waved his approval at the orchestra as they finished the piece.

This was followed by Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" and as an extra bonus, a rousing orchestral version of "Tico Tico".  The percussion section of the National Orchestra was a lot of fun to watch during this final piece.