A Vivaldi performance at Planting Fields Arboretum

It is great living on Long Island anytime, but if you ever wonder what it would be like to live during the Gold Coast mansion era, you'd have gotten a taste of it if you'd attended Sunday's chamber music concert at Coe Hall at the Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay. Those lucky enough and punctual enough to get one of 100 seats in the dining hall were able to get up close and personal with violin soloist Anna Rabinova, who originally is from Moscow and is a member of the New York Philharmonic. She and her four fellow musicians performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" to perfection.

Of the experience, she said, "It is a like performing in an old salon, the way music was meant to be played."

As cellist Adrian Daurov, 28, explained, "In the 17th through 19th centuries, music would have been performed in private homes, not in large orchestra halls. For the performer, it gives you a warm feeling to be able to interact with the audience."

The group performed as part of the Long Island-based Chamber Players International. Check their Web site (chamberplayersinternational.com) for coming performances on Long Island.

By the way, even if you couldn't get a seat, you could enjoy the music throughout the newly renovated Italian Garden, where more than 200 adults and children lounged on the lawn, read books in the shade or just closed their eyes and let the music wash over them.

Elizabeth Rolison, who works for Steinway & Sons on Long Island , was one of those listening in the garden. "It is a beautiful setting, a beautiful day," Rolison said. "You couldn't ask for a better way to spend a mid-summer day on Long Island."

I agree 100 percent.

Watch video from Planting Fields Arboretum and the Vivaldi concert below: