'It's a whole different feeling' - Syrian orchestra conductor enjoys first live concert in months

Record ID: 1560834

  • Title: 'It's a whole different feeling' - Syrian orchestra conductor enjoys first live concert in months
  • Date: 5th July 2020
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (JULY 2, 2020) (REUTERS) CONDUCTOR OF SYRIAN NATIONAL ORCHESTRA, MISSAK BAGHBOUDARIAN, LEADING ORCHESTRA DURING REHEARSAL MUSICIANS PLAYING DRUM AND HORN BAGHBOUDARIAN LEADING ORCHESTRA DURING REHEARSAL
  • Embargoed: 19th July 2020 11:34
  • Keywords: Concert Coronavirus Damascus Music Orchestra Restrictions Syria Syrian National Symphony
  • Location: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
  • City: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Music
  • Reuters ID: LVA001CLJ80NP
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: "It is a whole different feeling," says Syria's National Orchestra conductor, Missak Baghboudarian, with sparkling eyes as he is adjusting his suit before getting on stage for the orchestra's first live concert in months.
    The orchestra performed online some two months ago, following the closure of the Damascus Opera House as part of measures imposed by the government to halt the spread of the coronavirus in the capital.
    Performing online is certainly not the same as in front of a real audience, who reacts live to the music played on stage, a violinist at the orchestra, Marwan Jahjah, said during rehearsals.
    Precautionary measures were applied both during the rehearsals and the concert. Baghboudarian said that musicians are required to keep a certain distance while playing together. The Opera House's capacity was limited to 30 percent, as per social distancing requirements defined by the government.
    One of the spectators, Fawaz Shehabi, said that he was exited to attend concerts again after months of missing out on live music.
    Syria recently eased coronavirus restrictions after spending over two months under lockdown.
    So far, Syria has confirmed 338 cases of coronavirus infections, including ten deaths.
    (Production: Kinda Makieh, Firas Makdesi)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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