Symphonie en plein air

Yesterday night, my roomate and I went to the free outdoor symphony concert held at the McIntire Amphitheatre on UVa grounds. They played a great variety, including an arrangement of famous arias from Bizet's opera, "Carmen," the theme song to "E.T.", and the "Variations on Simple Gifts" by Aaron Copland (part of his "Appalachian Spring" balley). My roomate is from Belgium, and she marvelled at the casual nature of the audience sitting on the grass: some had picnics, most had blankets to sit on, and some were even lying down or appeared to be asleep. It was a good way to spend the evening.