[correction, 7 March: music played for the encoreI have rarely been so blown away at a classical music concert as I was last night, 2 March, at Geneva's Victoria Hall. Mélodie Zhao turned composer Frédéric Chopin's complete 27 Etudes into something I didn't know the collection had the capacity to be: magnificently passionate. The romantic music, which in some pianists' hands verges on the saccharine, last night would have made the composer proud, I feel certain. It's easy to go into a Zhao concert being impressed by her technical skills and poise on stage as a 15-year-old, but Tuesday night it was impossible to come out even remembering her age, for her stage performance and the music that filled the hall were those of a mature artist. "She's a genius," said the woman next to me, coming out of the hall. "Unbelievable!" another exclaimed to her companion.

I've heard her practice and I have the excellent CDs with 24 Etudes, made when she was only 13, but seeing her perform live, and with two years more musical maturity, transformed the music. Happy 200th birthday, Mr Chopin!

Two strong ovations from the crowd brought her back to play Chopin's Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise Brillante op.22., where she displayed yet more of her dazzling talent.

Melodie Zhao signing autographs after Chopin concert, 2 March 2010, Victoria Hall, Geneva

We all looked drained as we flocked into the lobby, for watching Zhao in person is like being a privileged spectator as shifting winds and sunlight dance over an open sea. To my great surprise, the young pianist was already seated at a table and signing autographs for a large crowd, with an enthusiasm and energy that didn’t show any strain from what has to have been a physically daunting performance!

Background: GenevaLunch feature on Mélodie Zhao

Review in Le Temps (Fre)

Community service bulletin: American Citizens Abroad is encouraging Americans to attend a town hall meeting at Webster University Thursday night, 30 April, to meet new officers from the US Embassy in Bern, including Leigh Carter, deputy chief of Mission in Bern and now the chargée d’affaires and the new consul general, Ed Birsner.

Andy Sundberg has provided a useful background document on US-Swiss treaties that covers taxation, social security benefits, military duty and much more. Swiss-American-treaties

The meeting is at Webster University, Bellevue, 18:30-20:30. Map and transport details

Photos: top, grains nearing harvest, St Prex and bottom, Tara and a freshly cut Swiss meadow.

I went to bed last night thinking about Sting. I’m probably not the first woman to do that. The man does have appeal. I went to bed thinking about why I deserve free tickets to go see him 16 September in Geneva. I can think of a hundred reasons why, starting with: because I deserve a nice present, no strings attached and no work to get it. It was the end of a long day and I was tired and there are no anniversaries, birthdays or holidays in sight. It’s the slim-pickings season for gifts.

The reason for all this is that glocals.com is giving away two tickets to Police’s 2007 reunion tour, but you have to win a contest by writing why you deserve these tickets. My first reaction to hearing about the contest was that I never win anything, so why bother. Second was: I’m too busy. My mother died a week ago at the fine age of 95 and I will be going home to the US for a family service in two weeks. Work is piling up and everyone is back from vacation, which means more work. Third was: hmmm, but it would be SO nice to hear Sting.

Here’s why: he’s the best icon I can think of for being over-55 and still terrific (sorry, Mick) in every way. He’s smarter, savvier, funnier and it’s just possible his voice is even better than when he came to fame. Good for him! Good for us. He inspired me to tuck an hour’s walk into my overcrowded work day in front of a computer, and I’m the better for it. If he could sing "Roxanne" way back when and give me shivers and do it again years later with "Fields of Gold," there is hope for us all to take a long, slow ride into the sunset in fine form.

Here’s really why it would be so nice to see and hear him: A little girl who has Rett Syndrome, we think, plays a big part in my life. She’s a real jewel, and she’s also a lot of work. In fairness, what child isn’t? But in addition to making life harder for her family, we’ve always worried about her health, and how long she will be with us. Sometimes that gets us down, and everyone in the family has moments where it’s all too much. During one of those I took a walk near Lake Geneva, around the vineyards and through fields with ripening grains. I had to drive to an appointment soon after, and because those fields had given me some peace I drove by them. A small miracle had Sting singing "Fields of Gold" on the radio. I pulled over and dedicated that song to lovely Tara and whenever I hear it I get a rush of golden love for that girl.

Thanks, Sting.

Contest: Glocals web site (used to be GenevaOnline) and it closes today, Wednesday!