May I suggest you take them to a recital or concerto at the Manoel? Last evening’s performance by Gerard Caussé on the viola and Felipe Ribeiro Pinto at the piano would be an ideal and enjoyable education. The audience at such events can be slightly pompous, really really, shouldn’t it all be about introducing different artists to different audiences?
Admitidally, some performers play their viola / violin as if on torture duty at Guantanamo bay. But this ensemble, played seamlessly! No eye contact, they were, if you pardon the pun, were so in tune with each other, it was incredible.
Caussé suit was that of a seasoned musician, typically baggy (in true French style) and it fell into comfortable folds around his elbows and knees, where he bends and bows and strokes and slides. His viola, just beautiful, the wood, the fine sound, the versatility. The pianist, Pinto, sounded as if he was playing in stereo, the depth and range of notes ensured he was no second fiddle to the viola.
The audience were keen to express their gratitude, and the pompous were quick to scathe them with hissing sshhes when they clapped in the ‘wrong’ places. But let them be I say. Should you rein in praise? The audience seemed to be made up of many tourists, more of this needs to be encouraged; and there were a few youngsters, making me (for once) not the youngest person in the auditorium.
The first half made me fall in love with the viola, the second was sensual, indeed the emotion I would confidently liken to make-up sex, that passion which makes you so joyous, yet so close to tears. The crescendo was moving and you could imagine that the original argument had flared up again, the maiden sobbing, with the sea crashing in sympathy close by.
The music calmed as if the argument subsided, and the sun was shining on the lovers again, the romance rekindled in that way that the love feels deeper. These musicians didn’t just play instruments, they played a story, and I’m sorry if you weren’t there and missed it. An evening at the theatre costs less than a night at the cinema, and will make you richer in more ways than one.
