Philharmonic and King Lear

Went to the Philharmonic at Lincoln Center this week to hear Lorin Maazel conduct.  The program in the first half consisted of two pieces by Mozart, Symphony No. 38 in D major, K.507 [1786] and Concerto In C major for Flute and Harp, K.299/297c [1778] with Robert Langevin on Flute and Nancy Allen on Harp.  The concerto was an audience favorite, while I enjoyed the symphony more.  The second half had two pieces by Debussy, Jeux: Poeme danse [1912-13] and Iberia, from Images for Orchestra [1905-08].  Images is a good description.  I had images of Hollywood westerns of the 1950's.

Friday was King Lear at the Public with Sam Waterston [Lear], Enid Graham [Goneril], Kelli O'Hara [Regan], Kristen Connolly [Cordelia], Michael McKean [Gloucester], Bill Irwin [Fool] and John Douglas Thompson who was excellent as Kent/Caius.  My favorite moment of the night was Lear's curse on Goneril. Waterston does rage very well.  Many in the audience gasped when he gave the curse.
Here it is.

Hear, nature, hear; dear goddess, hear!
Suspend thy purpose, if thou didst intend
To make this creature fruitful!
Into her womb convey sterility!
Dry up in her the organs of increase;
And from her derogate body never spring
A babe to honour her!  If she must teem,
Create her child of spleen; that it may live,
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her!
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child!  Away, Away.