Even at rehearsals seats were reserved. At one such time there were three of us in wheelchairs and we were all asked to locate as near the left rear entrance to the concert hall as possible but without (1) blocking the aisle, (2) hindering audience members from coming and going to their ticketed seats, (3) getting in each other’s way. One such wheelchair user and I got along with simple politeness, but the other one, with the assistance of her husband treated me as though I were there principally to irritate her. I could only conclude it was because from the infrequent times we spoke, she identified me as an American. I made an extra effort not to make matters worse, but this may illustrate from what extremes of attitude we progressed to a more positive attitude.
Marc and I tried to go to places for meals where performers and staff went, hoping to make a friendlier impression . This was worth the effort. One time I was asked by one of the orchestra performers to join her so she could ask about the music. I did so, and it turned out that the table just next to us was occupied by the prince and princess. She was beautiful but quite shy, but he proved to be genuinely interested and much more approachable.
One evening we attended a string quartet concert sponsored directly by them, at their invitation. It was not flattery to praise both their choice of music and their sensitive playing. I was asked about my string quartets and this led to an explanation of the manner of tuning in my orchestra composition. The quartet was on tour and could not attend the orchestra concert, but clearly word reached orchestra members and further intrigued them. Marc and I spent more and more mealtimes where we could encounter such interesting and active people.
On another evening I met a violinist from Koln who wanted to pursue getting a performance of Carmilla there. This could be a real possibility.
More to come.