Clowin' around in the D

Last night was spectacular!  I started the evening off having dinner with my husband at Angelina's on Broadway (Detroit).  http://www.angelinadetroit.com/  The gnocchi and the NY strip steak were excellent!  We've always had a good experience at Angelina's.  People were dressed for many different events going on that night (Tiger's game, the opera, Steve Winwood concert). 

We happened to be going to the opera that night, one of my favorite things to do.  The Detroit Opera House is a beautiful venue opened in 1922.  If you ever have a chance to see a performance there, take it!  http://www.michiganopera.org/

We saw I Pagliacci ("The Clowns" in Italian) written by Ruggero Leoncavallo.  What a delightful opera!  It was short (running time is 1:40 w/ an intermission), and to the point.  When the soprano hit those piercing high notes, or the tenor sang his mournful arias, tears filled my eyes.  The opera is a constant reminder of my father, a former Detroit opera singer himself.  He performed the two famous arias from I Pagliacci ("Vesti la giubba" and "No! Pagliaccio non son!") - very powerful music.  Here's Pavorotti performing these two songs:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0PMq4XGtZ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUe2OnXIBEg&feature=related


After the show, we stopped into Motorcity Wine, a happenin' wine boutique in Detroit (in Campus Martius)  http://motorcitywine.com/.  Skeeto's Funhouse was playing, which consists of some of Detroit's finest musicians.  They perform at MCW every Wed night around 10pm.  It's always a good time at Motorcity Wine!

All in all - a great night to remember.

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