Thursday, August 12, 2010

Day 8: Bergen and Grieg

Sunshine in Bergen is like putting butter on bacon - superfluous. Not a voice was raised in protest, however, as a sun-splashed day greeted the visitors to the city that has an umbrella as its most endearing symbol. A tour of Troldhaugen, the home of Edvard and Nina Grieg in the final decades of his life, served as the appetizer and the entre to the delights of the day. Preserved and displayed as when the Griegs still lived in it, the home gives added soul to the music of Norway's national romantic composer. Following the Grieg home tour and a sightseeing excursion up and down the Bergen mountainsides, the Alumni travelers headed in different directions to spend the day exploring on their own. It was a day that proved to have its own reward.



If you see Ellen Wineberg seated on a bus or on a bench, chances are she is drawing sketches in an artist's notebook. A renowned artist based in Massachusetts, Ellen seemed to enjoy comparing notes with Edvard Grieg in his lifesize pose on the grounds of the Grieg home. (See Ellen's webpage here.)





Frequent UW Tour travelers, Gloria Hennings (left) and Bertie Perry (right) enjoyed the visit to Troldhaugen.





In spite of a growth spurt that left the 4'11" Edvard Grieg well behind him in height, Bruce Larson comforted the composer with a warm hug and a smile.

No comments:

Post a Comment