Accordeon at Le Mans

Richard Galliano is a renowned accordeon player, and he gave a concert recently at the Palais des Congrès et de la Culture in Le Mans.   He was playing alongside the strings from the Orchestre Nationale de Pays de la Loire, conducted by Mme Alexandra Cravero, in what was billed as a tribute to Piazzolla, an Argentinian composer who is remembered for introducing the tango into the classical music repertoire.

We had decided to make a day of it, and went in time for lunch at the Auberge des Sept Plats, and then did some random shopping.   We had booked a room at a Chambres d'Hôtes just down the road from the concert, to minimise walking, and to avoid a long drive home late at night.

The official check-in time for the Chambres d'Hôtes was 5 PM, and we had some time to spare, so we found the place and Anita went and asked the man there if we could check-in a bit earlier.  He said there would be no problem after 4:30, and to park outside.  So we did.  Surprise.  After we rang the bell, a woman opened the window, told us we couldn't park there, and we couldn't stay anyway because she was ill.  And besides, she runs the place, and not the gentleman Anita had spoken to earlier.  I don't think I've ever experienced a more hostile reception.   We sat in the car and phoned the Ibis just down the road, and, being assured that they had plenty of rooms, drove there and checked in.

The concert was excellent.  Richard Galliano provided the musical excellence that one expects of a master; he played an accordeon for most pieces, and a bandoneon for Piazzolla's concerto for that instrument.   

The Ibis hotel to the north of the railway station was very friendly,  and with a bit more comfort and character than one might expect of a hotel aimed primarily at the business traveller.   It also provided a superb breakfast that lasted me nearly all day.