Monday, September 28, 2020
The Met has canceled its entire season for the fall and winter of 2020–2021. Now, for those of you who are not opera aficionados, this may not seem so terrible. But what this move from the Met does raise are questions about the future––at least the immediate future––of music performances with singing.
This past summer the Berkshire Theatre Group tried a version of “Godspell” using Plexiglas screens and safe-distance seating. Theater and musical arts have much to be concerned about during this pandemic. Consider a violin or piano concerto that requires a symphony orchestra.
Listening to the music we love on YouTube whether it is opera or a rock concert is not the same as being enveloped by live music with others. Music is not intended to be just a solitary activity. We find community in music and we yearn for the return of the community we lost through the virus.
Prayer for the Day
We hear the music of your creation in our ears and hearts, O God,
And we strive to repeat its beauty through our voice in song,
But the virus we fear has caused us to cease singing with others
And we search for ways to hear the music we miss so much.
May we find the joy of music through sharing it with others
Albeit through electronic media for the peace we all need.
In the name of him who listened to the music of creation,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts of the Day
Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.
Victor Hugo, French writer (1802–1885)
Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.
Maya Angelou, American poet (1928–2014)
O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to God with songs of praise.
Psalm 95: 1–2