A Legend, And A Visit To Toledo

One of the main purposes of this visit to Spain was to attend performances of zarzuela, the opera/operetta like musical works that incorporate so much of the national heartbeat. On Sunday we saw a performance of Soutullo and Vert's passionate tale of gyspsy revenge, "La Leyenda del Beso." (The Legend of the Kiss.) It was given a striking new production at the high temple of the art form, Madrid's Teatro de la Zarzuela.

On Monday we took the excellent Renfre train to Toledo, a beautiful Medieval and Renaissance town, perched on hills above the Tajo (Tagus) River. The best highlight was revisiting El Greco's masterpiece, "The Burial of Count Orgaz" in the Church of Santo Tome. His largest painting, the mural shows a mystical connection between earth and heaven, as the saints and God watch the count's soul being spirited upwards by an angel, all in a whirling Mannerist composition.

Dan

PHOTOS: The stage at the Teatro de la Zazuela - view of Toledo from the Parador

On The Road To Toledo

This is our hotel in Madrid. It's basically a businessman's conference headquarters, with tourists used to fill in the remaining empty rooms. It's clean if a bit 70s-ish in decor (dated.) The primary advantage is that the subway stop is right outside the door. The price is right also.

Today we started with a tour of the Royal Palace in Madrid. Then we took a fast RENFE train to picturesque Toledo, where we visited the highlights of this beautiful old city. It's a photographer's delight.

We're staying at the Toledo "Parador," one of the Paradores that make up the system of official Spanish deluxe hotels. We're looking forward to having a special dinner in a few hours.

Jim