Last Wednesday I made a last-minute-decision and bought an online-ticket for the concert in Prague….
When I reached the beautiful castle I had a wonderful view overlooking the illuminated city. But I couldn’t see a single placard or advertising concerning the concert…
But about one hour before the beginning, people started to assemble in front of the entrance and in the foyer of the Spanish Hall – which is a dream in white and gold. Many of the ladies were dressed in a very elegant style!
The Spanish Hall was nearly sold out, only a few seats left. The audience took very long to take their seats, they had no hurry at all (this seemed to me to be a little bit unpolite towards the artists!). So it was finally 7.40 o’clock (the beginning should be at 7.30) until they could close the doors and dim the lights. And immediately Philippe and Jérôme appeared on stage – it seemed, they had been impatiently waiting behind the stage!
Unfortunately the seats in the Spanish Hall are all in the same level, I think that was the reason why I found the acoustics from my seat at the complete outside end of a row absolutely not satisfying. But after the break I could change to a better place and this was a perfect one!
I think you all know the Verlaine program which they performed in Prague – Philippe and Jérôme as a perfect team, interacting very concentrated and in complete harmony. Because I’m not trained in music reviews I can‘t describe the lucent clarity or the touching pathos of Philippes voice like a professional music critic could do – I just can tell you, that it was a beautiful evening!!!
And this was not only my impression: Philippe and Jérôme got standing ovations, the audience was enthusiastic when Philippe greeted them in some czech phrases and finally we got 3 encores…
There was no official signing session afterwards, but when leaving the Spanish Hall both, Philippe and Jérôme, took the time to talk to the waiting people, to sign CDs and programs and to pose for photos.
I didn’t regret a single kilometer, which I had to drive back home in the night!
