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I
do hope you are all well and safe
and will stay that way as our countries begin to open up again. I
could not have imagined how the world would change; I was in Paris
with Opera Fuoco in March, working with some very talented young
singers before their end-of-course concert in the Petit Palais. I
came home early, on Friday 13th, the Petit Palais closed and the
concert didn’t happen. I’ve been home in Sussex ever since and feel
very
fortunate
to have such a lovely place in which to self-isolate with my
husband. The garden is
full of flowers and birds; I haven’t spent so long here since I used
to sing at Glyndebourne- but then I had to sing every other day!
The only singing I’ve done is a folksong, recorded on my iPad
on the landing, for Glyndebourne’s Peaceful Moments. It has been a
two month holiday such as I never had before, with weather such as
England has never had before, but with an underlying unease that
prevents it from feeling like a holiday.
The
Wigmore Hall has begun a series of lunchtime concerts, broadcast
live from the empty hall and streamed on the Wigmore website. The
first two concerts, Stephen Hough and Lucy Crowe
with Anna
Tilbrook, were wonderful and so very moving. I think
Andrew McGregor, the radio announcer must have found it difficult to
speak after each of them. There are opportunities to donate to both
Wigmore and Glyndebourne-
(and indeed to all the other theatres and opera houses which are
sharing their treasures with us all)- so I do hope people will be
generous to these two beloved places.
Musicians have been so creative and imaginative, putting music
online in all kinds of wonderful ways with choirs, orchestras,
teaching: congratulations to you all. I’m full of admiration as I
weed my garden and watch the baby birds trying to fly. Thank you to
everyone who has helped to make these extraordinary months bearable-
and of course to all the health workers having to deal with the
crisis.
I hope a vaccine
will be found soon but until then take care, and be kind.
Felicity |
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