FROM GERMANY . . . . .
In our own apartment complex we have instituted an "Apéro-Sunday". Every Sunday at 6 p.m. the inhabitants of our building appear on their balconies with a cocktail of their choice. We wish each other continued health and well-being and continue to chat for about 30 minutes. I have never been so well informed on how each of my neighbors is doing! The "Apero-Sunday" is infectious; little by little people from adjacent buildings are joining us in this regular Sunday ritual.
Nabucco. It was a symbolic masterpiece. This opera is seen by many scholars to represent the Italian Risorgimento in the 19th century which led to the unification of Italy. The song itself - known as the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" - moans about their current suffering and longs for the country they have lost. This specific artistic performance was dedicated to the medical workers of Italy. Since watching that video, my YouTube feed has been filled with a myriad of similar offerings - not only from choirs, but also from orchestras, rock bands and jazz musicians from all over the world. I have had the opportunity to enjoy productions from places like Australia, Thailand and Senegal. Perhaps most important of all, amateur groups have joined the fray and people - quite literally from all over the world - have been singing together. Take a look at an example of people from 15 different countries singing together.
TO I TALY . . . . . . . .
The other phenomenon which has touched my heart comes from musicians. Quarantined, isolated, unable to perform on stage, they have nevertheless founds ways to reach us. I believe a new art form may have been born - remote choirs and remote orchestras. One example which literally brought me to tears occurred early on during the crisis. As Italy was the epicenter of the pandemic, a choir sung the chorus ouverture to Verdi's opera
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