Audience member jumps in for sick Alondra
mainAlondra de la Parra fell sick in Brisbane an hour before concert time.
It so happened that local-born Dane Lam, a protégé of Kurt Masur’s, was in town. He writes:
Tonight was an extraordinary night: I jumped in at an hour’s notice for @qsorchestra Maestro series concert. I thought I was attending as an audience member when the phone call came!! It was an honour to look around at so many familiar faces of an orchestra I grew up watching: teachers, friends, colleagues, classmates. It was a pleasure to make music with you all. Also thought of dear Maestro Masur as we played a beautiful Pastorale. Bravissimi!
Wishing @alondradlp all the best wishes for a speedy recovery. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Reminds me of a New Yorker cartoon in which a man in front of big stage and audience heads says “Is there a Siegfried in the house”?
I always used to book front and centre at the RFH. I’d tell my companions that I could then jump up and take over if the conductor had a heart attack. It was pure Walter Mitty, but one asked me quite seriously “Would you really?”
Brilliant conductor, well-deserved!
Really enjoyed the concert in spite of the difficulties. Congratulations to Dane Lam, Nemanja Radulovic, and the orchestra. Ultimate professionalism.
I bet the orchestra was happy, and sounded better too!
Big kudos to Dane Lam and also to Namanja Radulovic who performed Tchaik concerto unconducted on such short notice and with so much trust in the orchestra.