“The Austin Symphony Orchestra was back on stage at the Long Center for the Performing Arts this week to present a full concert of classical music,” writes Bob Garcia-Buckalew on Thursday (9/10) at KVUE-TV (Austin, TX). “There was no audience…. Musicians were spaced at least 6 feet apart. Everyone wore face coverings…. Performers and stagehands alike had to provide a recent medical history and have their temperatures checked. The concert was taped … and will be released online to symphony subscribers…. It’s a virtual concert with more than 90 minutes of classical music.… Soprano Mela Dailey [sang] a difficult piece for voice and string orchestra, Britten’s ‘Les Illuminations’ [wearing] ‘a face shield that literally covers my head and has a microphone inside,’ … Dailey said…. For Austin Symphony and Long Center management, it was an opportunity to re-employ musicians, technicians, and stagehands after many had been struggling financially when live music went away. For Dailey, it offered a chance to work with her husband, the acclaimed conductor Peter Bay. Since the concert is online and can be viewed anytime over the next seven days, music lovers will be able to purchase tickets through the Austin Symphony Orchestra website.”
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