Tag Archives: Brussels

Brussels, Belgium: Les Sablons

Posted on January 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

Under snow and Chrismas decorations, the picturesque Sablons district is absolutely stonished. Pictures 1 & 3: Chinese lanterns outside and shop interior of the chocolatier Pierre Marcolini, the belgian Pierre Hermé. Photo 2: in the window of an antique dealer, this superb sledge, like in fairy tales. Pictures 4 & 5: the chic selection and window inspired by the Xian footsoldiers in chocolate, of the house of Wittamer, since 1910 and Official Supplier to the Court of Belgium. Picture 7: the Taschen bookshop, also opened sundays, after a brunch in the Pain Quotidien, 11 rue des Sablons. And if you miss cultural events, the musée d’Art Ancien and the musée d’Art Morderne are really near: 3 rue de la Régénce, and next to the very media Musée Magritte too: 1 Place Royale. Last picture: THE refined shop of the great Belgian fashion designer Jean-Paul Knott, trained by Yves Saint Laurent and former Cerruti’s Art Director. Do enjoy the Sablons!

Brussels, Belgium: avenue Louise, place Stéphanie, Toison d’or

Opera @ la Monnaie, Brussels: “Iphigénie en Tauride” of Christoph Willibald Gluck

MSSNDCLRCQ, Brussels: Exhibitions of Anish Kapoor, Sarah Botswick and Fabrice Samyn

DESTINATIONS

Brussels, Belgium: avenue Louise, place Stéphanie, Toison d’or

Posted on January 3, 2010 | Leave a comment

Great Chrimas decoration, the Hermès front boutique : boulevard de Waterloo 50, 1000 Brussels. Oh you look for a shopping more rock’n’rolla, don’t you? Go directly avenue Louise to Zadig & Voltaire (n°92), Comptoir des Cotonniers (n°76), Gérard Darel (n°23) and Neuhaus (n°61A) for the famous Belgian chocolates.

In winter, forget the small garden of the Sofitel Brussels Le Louise, for its cosy Crystal Lounge for drinks only. Ok the decoration is not wow, but the atmosphere is really laid back and relaxing with a warm fire place : 40 avenue de la Toison d’Or, 1050 Brussels. Picture below, something new for me here : a high tech (?) bus shelter with a TV playing again and again the trailer of Avatar. Well well…

Saint Germain des Prés, Paris

Mayfair, London: shopping & art

DESTINATIONS

Opera @ la Monnaie, Brussels: “Iphigénie en Tauride” of Christoph Willibald Gluck

Posted on January 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

La Monnaie under snow : uplifting and dream-like! I was invited and I’ve discovered the Opera House and Iphigénie en Tauride, the opera of Christoph Willibald Gluck. With a children’s excitement, I sit and wait and decipher any details helping me to figure out the opera. I chat, quick apprehension about the lengh, I am curious excited but not especially an opera lover. Slowly the hall turns dark and it starts (picture below). Since the beginning, I’ve felt being caught up in the music, lyrics, voices power and frames. A part of the audience cheers the tiers on stage with chorus. Fantastic chorus, really impressive! The minimalist stage of Pierre Audi brings fluidity to the rigid play of the classic Greek tragedy (which is for me quite unbearable). Only one – historical – “detail” really bothered me: the pronunciation of before the French Revolution “r“. Thankfully we don’t use it today, this old “r” hurts my listening. This opera is in French, Gluck has worked “to change the form and the expression” of the French Opera (Christophe Rousset, musical director). Thanks to all artists and H san, for this beautiful discovery!

In the centre of the picture, Iphigénie, the priestess of Diane : soprano, Nadja Michael / On the left, Oreste, her brother, the king of Argos and Mycènes : baritone, Stéphane Degout / On the right, Pylade, the friend of Oreste, the king of Phocis : tenor, Topi Lehtipuu / On the left border, Thoas, the king of Tauride : bass, Werner Van Mechelen / On the right border, Diane : soprano, Violet Serena Noorduyn.