Blog # 52…December 2015

We’re all responding in our own way to the brutal attacks in Paris on November 13…fear, anger, withdrawal and many other more complex feelings and ponderings.

Eighty nine people died at the Eagles of Death Metal concert in the Bataclan.  Members of the band watched helplessly as many in the audience died protecting friends with their bodies. It made me wonder, as I often do – you probably do too - how I would respond to a crisis situation. The acts in Paris were calculated to make a statement about the sin of hedonism, people enjoying themselves on a Friday night. We all do that right, and it’s important that life goes on and we don’t let ourselves be manipulated by fear.

Would be understandable if performers let go of “The show must go on” in favour of their own (and their fans) personal safety.   EDOM has cancelled shows for the foreseeable future and they get a pass since they were caught in the middle of the heat.

A few days after the horror though, our own performers, Tafelmusik and Opera Atelier, teamed up to present the opera Armide in the Palace of Versailles. It was the first public performance there since the attacks, made even more remarkable by the theme of Lully's opera, written over 300 years ago - the love between a Christian and a Muslim.  Jeanne Lamon, former Tafelmusik director observed that “Cultural ambassadorship has taken on a whole new meaning. For many years, I’ve believed that music can heal in powerful ways…now that takes on new meaning too”.   

As I mentioned last month, my neighbours and I (along with many other groups across the city, and the country) have begun the process of sponsoring a refugee family.  We began pretty much as strangers to each other and are gradually revealing our talents and our willingness to donate time and energy…and we’re beginning to examine our ability to tolerate the ambiguities that a task like this is already presenting.  

This activity and a few others will keep me busy for the next while  so I’m posting this early, wishing you a warm celebration of whatever holiday you embrace.