From a unique perspective

I could have said: No, I can`t make it. But I did it anyway. And it became one of the highlights in my life. It started with my almost thirty hours flight to Australia, where I was teaching a four-day course. For an unknown reason, I was upgraded to a corner room in the hotel. From one window, I had a view to the famous Sidney Opera, from the other to the Sidney Harbour Bridge, from the third to the Darling Harbour. Unforgettable.

After completing my teaching, I had two days left before departing, and a weird idea came to my mind. Why wouldn’t I try to see the Opera from the inside? I had no clue about the program; I had no adequate attire … Once I checked the program, I was amazed – the famous Mozart`s Missa Solemnis was scheduled for the very same day. Moreover, there was a guest conductor, also a famous one: Gianluigi Gelmetti, Music and Artistic Director of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma at the time (and he later became a Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra). I expected no seats to be available at such short notice. Yet, there were a couple of seats still available at the so called “Choir and Organ” part of the opera, just above the stage. They warned me it was neither the best acoustic nor the best view. Yet, I purchased the ticket. How couldn’t I?

The evening turned into an experience I still vividly remember, still in awe, still feeling inspired. Because it was a unique perspective. From the balcony, above the choir of almost hundred singers, above the complete orchestra and four vocalists, I watched the performance. Primarily, the conductor himself. His gestures, his eye contact, his energy that streamed towards the orchestra players, towards the singers. I was observing his encouragement of everyone he led, his mastery of leading. From time to time, I felt like one of the orchestra members …

And the best. In the dimmed distance there were people, the audience in their best seats in the stall, circle, and boxes. Invisible to me. The only thing I heard was the music flowing across the theatre. It was like flying through space, on the waves of the music, feeling the solemnity of the evening. I forgot where I was.

From that experience I learned that one should never give up, and should always try something different, against all the opinions that may say: “It is not worth to try.” For me, it was worth trying.

I was not only listening to the music, but I was also watching how it was created.

It was one of my most memorable experiences ever.