I lost the programme to Ezio Bosso's concert held last month at the Manoel Theatre. I was carrying it to and fro but papers should be kept neatly in a folder. Goodness knows where it is hiding.  I know I shall come across it tomorrow when I need it no more.

Not having a programme to which to refer is unfortunate for me but on the other hand what can I say about a concert which left the audience, from our President down, breathless, mesmerized, completely dumbfounded, moved but delighted, touched to the core and full of admiration for this enormously courageous man.  We did not want the music to stop or Ezio to leave that stage. His very presence was a lesson to us all.

 The Manoel Theatre was full to the Gods, that evening, organized to raise funds for the Community Chest Fund Foundation.  We knew already that this composer, pianist and conductor is suffering from ALS and there weren't many in that audience who did not understand the havoc this disease plays on its victims. We have watched our own Bjorn Formosa battling the disease, getting married and raising enough funds to build a refuge for fellow suffers.

And here was another ALS sufferer to admire and right at the beginning of the concert, he captured our hearts. That evening at the Manoel was no ordinary event. It was an experience - an evening filled with emotion. To see Ezio Bosso being wheeled in (by the Steinway piano tuner I was told) and waving and smiling at the audience, completely ignoring the fact that he had lost the use of his legs altogether. He can hardly sit up or control his movements. Yet, there he was exuding joy.

He was helped to sit on the piano stool and as soon as there was complete silence, he started playing. Many were his own compositions. Beautiful. Full of energy.

By his own admission, he loves smiling and he smiled a great deal that evening. And this in spite of his degenerative disease which came upon him after being operated for a brain tumor.  Once the tumor was removed he could neither read nor write. He says that it is music which helped him regain his speech and the ability to write and compose and play once again.

He could read music even before he could read books. How wonderful that even at the age of 4 years you have found your niche in life and nothing, not a tumour nor ALS can stop you from following your dream, your vocation.

 

In the first half of the recital he was playing the piano (the passion!) and conducting the orchestra which he clearly had under his control. In the second half he was helped to sit on a chair on a podium and this time gave the orchestra his full attention. He did not allow his disability to trap him. His compositions give the impression of freedom. A couple of his pieces reminded me of Philip Glass's music for the film The Hours. I loved them all.

 

It is pointless telling you he conducted this orchestra and that; he won this award and the other.  Wikipedia and his website are there for you to consult.

'Tis enough to say that by sheer will power he won an enormous challenge with music as his guiding light and continues to give pleasure the world over. Thank you Ezio and Madame President whose idea it was to bring him to us.

 

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I was curious to know more about the new seating arrangements at the Manoel. So I contacted Dr Michael Grech, the chairman. Here is his explanation: "The current seating in the platea is, of course, temporary, and though the chairs clearly clash with the baroque surroundings of the theatre, they have served their purpose well, enabled us to run the current season, and came at no cost - we gentrified the old Sala Isouard metal chairs with plain covers! The new seating will be installed in the original 18th century horse shoe design, eliminating the centre aisle, and will be accessible from the sides. The chairs will entirely complement the theatre's baroque interior, the design is Louis XV style, in gilt, upholstered in green velvet (similar to the new chairs we had introduced in all the boxes a few years ago), and we are hoping that these will be delivered in the next couple of months."

And what about the acclimatization project, especially now that the hot summer months are approaching.

"All the interior infrastructural works were completed before the end of last year (a mammoth task), and we are currently completing the last installations of the exterior machinery, following which we will commence the testing and operation of the system, which will be fully functional before the summer heat kicks in... and will finally give us a summer season!"

The last part of the restoration project, he told me, will be carried out next year. This includes the main portal, and two flanking doors, and finally the restoration of the theatre's entire façade to its original splendour". All excellent news.

 

The Vienna Boys Choir at St John's Cathedral

The little space I am going to dedicate to this event is only because there isn't much left. This world famous choir, conducted by Gerald Wirth sang a variety of cantatas, motets etc. by a variety of composers during mass last month at St John's, naturally, it being Lent without the Gloria. They were sometimes joined by the Chorus Viennensis. It was sacred music throughout and what could be more appropriate to keep us in the Lenten mood.

You had to love them from the moment they walked up the aisle and with great discipline and hardly any noise sat on the area surrounding the main altar. It was a beautiful sight. I loved their sailor suits. Each one knew exactly that he had to do. Those who read the lessons did so in almost perfect English. I do so wish I had decided to go and hear them at the Manoel as well. What could be more pleasant than listening to great music in one of the loveliest churches on earth.

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