I didn't set up this shot on purpose. The action was much too fast for my moderate skills. But when I saw this picture on the computer screen I was struck by the strong geometry, something I've been taught to notice by hundreds of explanatory cards next to images in museums. It may or may not do anything for you.
It wasn't too hard to find on the Web. The instrument is called a ruan, characterized by four strings and big tuning pegs with a circular body. They come in different sizes ranging from soprano to bass. I guess you would call this one a tenor.
This couple represented the empress and emperor of China, as best I could tell. They look relatively benevolent but that beaded headgear on him is something else. It reminds me a bit of the gauzy veils with small beads that women like my mother used to wear with their hats for fancy occasions in the 50s.
Well, that's what we were told it was. I've been to lots of Western operas and a couple by Japanese composers (including one based on a Noh play, which was a tough sit) but nothing that gave me a grip on this music.It was performed with passion, though.
Who's got some mouthwash?
Many-segmented dragons are common at Chinese events. There were three at the festival at the botanical garden last weekend, this one, another a bit smaller and a "baby dragon" carried by small children. You have to wonder whether the idea came purely from people's imaginations or whether it was, at some point, chemically enhanced.
The rain moved away and left us with a cool, cloudy and dry Sunday. A big crowd turned out for the resumption of the Chinese cultural festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden. There was one spectacular performance after another. Still, I wonder how many people across our sprawling suburbs and exurbs are unaware of the riches we have on offer.
We had thunderstorms on and off all day Saturday so we didn't attempt the Chinese cultural festival at the botanical garden. Today should be glorious and we will give it another try. For now, another earlier shot from the garden, a bush packed with rhododendron blossoms. Ironic that something so beautiful is poisonous.
