I appreciate the gentle questioning of the phrase `a joyous performance'
I used for the Schreier Napa performance of `Winterreise,' and admit that
perhaps there may be more careful use of the language.

And yet, on my way tonight to another performance of the SF Opera's fine
`Wozzeck,' that adjective seems to fit *the performance* of even this even
darker work.

One of the magic things about music (perhaps even more than other forms of
art) is the *joy*, the delight we can find in the presentation of subject
matters ranging from resignation (`Winterreise') to matricide (`Electra')
to general, overwhelming tragedy (`Wozzeck').  How so? I couldn't begin to
understand, but surely everybody on this list knows the feeling.

Janos Gereben/SF
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