Nelson's Column
Charlie Nelson's Blog
The Handel Bar
A new bar and restaurant is opening near where Gail and I live, in Sydney Road Brunswick. They will also have music. It is called the Handle Bar.
Gail and I wish it was the Handel Bar.
When Gail arrived, they would play the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.
When I arrived, perhaps they would play Zadok the Priest.
When it was raining, they would play the Water Music Suite.
At Christmas they would play the Messiah
On New Years Eve we would hear the Royal Fireworks Music.
Handel is my favourite classical composer and my favourite piece is Ombra Mai Fu from the opera Xerxes. When would they play this?
I think there would be a garden bar with a large plane tree. When we sat there on a hot summers day, drinking wine in the shade of this beautiful tree, they would play Ombra Mai Fu.
The translation of the words is:
Tender and beautiful fronds
of my beloved plane tree,
Let Fate smile upon you,
May thunder, lightning, and storms
Never bother your dear peace,
Nor may you by blowing winds be profaned.
Never was made a plant more dear and loving or gentle.
My favourite version is by Giovanni Antonini, Cecilia Bartoli and Il Giardino Armonico.
Charlie Nelson
June 2014