Our friend Terje Aukland has just got back home from his visit to Nashville, Tennessee, where he experienced Roger Waters' opera Ca Ira, and kindly shares his thoughts, and pictures, here.

The opera had its full US premiere at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, on January 30th, with Roger narrating the slightly abbreviated version of the piece. The piece was scored for full orchestra, four solo voices, chorus and a children's chorus, all of whom performed onstage with Waters.

The story of the opera is well known by the majority of BD readers. But, for those not so familiar with it, it concerns itself with the French Revolution, in the years 1789 - 1793. This live staging of the opera was great, with extraordinary performances by the vocalists, especially the tenor Bryan Hymel, and the soprano Sally Matthews.

The Nashville symphony orchestra played very well, so did the Nashville Symphony Chorus, and last but not least The Blair Children's Chorus. Wonderful music. This opera music is a masterpiece from Roger's hand. Just amazing.

Roger himself was the Narrator. He felt comfortably numb, I think, sitting on the stage in an old-fashioned armchair, connecting the history together by introducing what was to come, and filling in the gaps created by this abridged version of Ca Ira.

The Schermerhorn Symphony Center was sold out. And what a beautiful building. Far different from what I've seen before, having visited concert halls around the world; the walls were white painted wood.

As always Roger was nice to his fans. The rehearsal day he walked from the hotel down to the concert hall, met fans, signed autographs and let the fans take selfies with him.