Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) composed his wonderful concierto for violin and orchestra (Op 77) in 1878

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On Friday evening we thoroughly enjoyed a magnificent performance of it by Russian born violinist Misha Keylin in the ‘Teatro Nacional‘ (built in 1897) in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Misha Keylin was here and he continues his career first promised by his phenomenal Carnegie Hall d+¬but at age 11. He immigrated to the U. S. at nine and was accepted as a student by the legendary Dorothy DeLay at The Juilliard School. In a career already spanning forty countries on five continents, Misha Keylin is now based in New York City.

Acording to Allan Kozinn of the New York Times; “Keylin displays a gorgeous, rounded tone and a distinctively Russian phrasing style…. His nuanced readings fully convey the operatic impulse that drives the violin writing, and he has the technique to sail easily through the virtuosic flourishes…”

The cost of our tickets which were for the best seats in the house were 7,000 colones* each (US$15 each) which compared to the average ticket for a show in New York which is US$60-65, according to Bernard Gersten who is the Executive Producer of Lincoln Center Theater (LCT) in New York.

Was there a difference in the quality of Misha’s performance between venues in New York City and Costa Rica? Artistically no!

Was there a difference in our enjoyment of the show? Absolutely!

It certainly feels better paying $30 for two of the best seats in the house with a terrific, clear view and full vibrant sound rather than US$120 for ‘average’ seats where you would probably need a telescope to see the stage. And don’t forget about parking your car today…

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According to real estate consultant Colliers International the costs for the average garage in midtown Manhattan rose 2% in 2004, to $432 per month. On an hourly basis, it would cost you $5-20 per hour to park your car, so far three hours that’s US$15-60

What did we pay for parking my Toyota two minutes from the theater? Our parking cost was 1,200 colones or $2.56

So let’s tally that up! We paid $32.56 for a superb evening in a 100+ year old theater in Costa Rica, but to see the same violinist in New York City, you would pay about 300% more – Minimum of about US$135

And don’t get me started about the cost of a good dinner in New York City…

Now that’s what I call world class entertainment but with Tico prices and of course those Tico smiles!

* Current rate of exchange – Colones 468:US$1