I didn't know a salt roasted beetroot could taste so wonderful! Alain Passard's L'aperge lived up to its reputation of being able to make vegetables exciting and super tasty - remember the French were never great at veg apart from puree everything. We took the menu degustation that comprised of mostly vegetables with a course with scallops. Granted, there were some meat flavours in some of the dishes (smoked bacon and chantilly cream foam on top of a parsnip soup), but the star ingredients were definitely of early origin.
It was billed as a "Warm Up Event". But I think it was to do with contracts signed prior to the discovery of asbestos at the Royal Festival Hall which added six months to the renovation programme. Gustavo Dudamel conducted the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Strauss Four Last Songs and Mahler 5th. The band made a good sound tough the upper strings were a bit subdue (or was it the Hall?) The Four Last Songs were a bit fast to my liking - and it was only Beim Schlafengehen where I felt the tempo was right. Measha Brueggergosman sang relatively well, though her BIG HAIR was in the way of the sound projection. Mahler 5th was thunderous and supple at the same time - the latter much helped by the strong viola and lower string section. It was exciting and forward but could do with a bit more rubati. Otherwise it was an enjoyable evening out at this much loved venue.
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