Well, I somehow didn't get to see much of Renee Fleming last night, because I ended up having to help out my volunteer manager who was trying unsuccessfully to get other volunteers to work. I did get to hear 10 minutes of La Renee, who was in fine voice and she sounded lovely with the symphony in the new space, but I really wish I could have heard the Strauss Four Last Songs. I also heard her finale, a sing-along to "I Could Have Danced All Night," was really charming.
But some good may come of this. I had not been selected from the hundreds who wanted to usher for Paul McCartney, but by helping out my volunteer manager last night, I may have earned a spot for Paul after all. Tickets for the McCartney benefit were priced at $250-$3,500 apiece.