When I moved back to New Hampshire from New Jersey in 1984, I had no idea I would be making a life-long friend who really shared my passion for and joy in the arts. From theater to painting, from opera to classical music, and from ballets to museums, we have done it all over (now) more than 35 years. Sometimes just the two of us, sometimes with her husband as well, and other time with groups of friends. But almost always with the two of us (I say almost always because my travels sometimes interfere).
One of the things that hasn't really bounced back from the Covid arts hiatus is the sparse opera opportunities in New Hampshire. We were talking one day, and I said well, let's head down to New York and go an opera at the Met. And it turned out that she had never been to an event at Lincoln Center. So a trip had to be taken!
We left this past Monday, driving down - and of course, stopping at Rein's Deli in Vernon, CT for lunch on the way. I had my traditional corned beef on pumpernickel with mustard sandwich (well, half of a sandwich anyway). The other half came along for the rest of the ride.
We arrived at our hotel, Hampton Inn Manhattan Times Square Central - that's 41st Street between 7th & 8th - around 5pm and checked in. We were meeting one of my cousins and her husband for dinner at 8:00, so that gave us plenty of time to get settled. Dinner was at a place called The Greek Kitchen on the corner of 58th St and 10th Ave. Dinner was great and the company was even greater! We just kept talking and talking, and suddenly looked around and realized the restaurant was basically closed and we were still sitting there!
On Tuesday morning, we had tickets to go to the Morgan Library & Museum, which is absolutely one of my favorite places to visit when I come to New York. It was originally built at the beginning of the 20th century, adjacent to JP Morgan's home. Morgan had begun to collect early printed books, historical, literary, and illuminated manuscripts, and also art works as early as about 1890. It was designed by Charles McKim, and is considered by many to be his masterpiece. It is an interesting mix of intimacy, elegance, and grandeur. It comprises three rooms (the study, the librarian's office and the library) plus a rotunda, and while the library is my favorite room, all the rooms are full of books. Which just makes the whole structure one of my happy places. After all, there is no other place in the world (I believe) where there are three Gutenberg bibles in the same place!
JP Morgan passed away in 1913, and in 1924 his son (JP Morgan, Jr or 'Jack'), realizing that the library was too important to remain private, made it a public institution, with everything it contained available to scholars and the public. JP Morgan's original adjoining residence was replaced by the Annex building in the late 1920s, Jack Morgan's former residence was added to the complex later and a garden court was built in the 1990s to unite the various areas.
The latest changes came in 2006, with a modern structure, including increased exhibition space and storage space for collections, along with other designated spaces and amenities. The museum houses and displays the original collection - well, as much as can be displayed at one time! - and also brings in other traveling collections. While the footprint of the complex has increased significantly, and despite its magnificence, the original area of the library, study, and office, still feels like it could be part of a private home. A much fancier private home than I will ever have ... but still.
I have included a few pictures, but they can't do it justice. I definitely recommend this as a place NOT to miss if you have the opportunity. At least if you love books!
The Study (including the vault now also full of books, pics 2 &3)
The Librarian's Office (books, fireplace, seals, mantel)
The Rotunda
The Library
Tuesday evening was our sojourn Lincoln Center. We had tickets to La Boheme, which while perhaps not the best opera ever, is one of my favorites. The music is just so beautiful!
Inside and in our seats
Outside
And Wednesday. We managed to get tickets to Hamilton for a Wednesday matinee. I had heard snippets of the show, but had no idea what an experience it would turn out to be. The set was minimal, but the talent on display was magnificent! I'm not sure I have ever had that kind of experience before, even on Broadway. I can certainly see why this show wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but I can't imagine anything more mesmerizing and enjoyable.
Unfortunately, I had to be on a Zoom board meeting Wednesday evening, so after eating a dinner of (mostly) leftovers, we settled down for a quiet evening. We left on Thursday morning to make the drive back home, arriving mid-afternoon in Manchester to drop my friend off at her home, and then back to Bow for me.
It was so great to get back to NYC after several years - for the things I can do there and the people I can see. But a few days at a time is plenty! I am always so happy to get back to where I belong, with space and quiet and nature ... and views of trees out every window.
I'm heading out on the road again in (as I write) less than a week. So stay tuned!
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