A Glimpse Into Alt Performance Activity During The Pandemic

There’s a thought-provoking article by Jim Farber in the 7/14/2020 edition of sfcv.org of his review of the Mainly Mozart festivals performance via drive in movie facility.

The location checks off all the boxes needed to satisfy patron health and safety concerns while simultaneously providing its own set of unique logistical challenges.

What’s particularly interesting is in addition to utilizing the drive-in’s native radio frequency Mainly Mozart opted to use sound system. On the surface, that may sound a bit janky but speaking as someone who lives walking distance to what is arguably the single best amplified outdoor classical music venue in the world, The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park, amplified classical music can produce a spectacular environment.

Simply put, I’ve enjoyed my share of remarkable concert experiences at that venue so I’m entirely confident saying that amplified live classical music is a solid option.

At the same time, venues capable of producing that level of quality are few and far between. So, depending on how long the pandemic lasts, we may see rapid advances in this area of acoustic expertise sooner than later.

In the meantime, early efforts like this are a good thing and Farber’s piece is a good place to begin learning about.

As I’ve been saying since 2003:

Change can be difficult. Change can be turbulent. Change can be painful.
Change brings success. Change brings order. Change brings comfort.

Most importantly, change is necessary for survival.

If you want the less touchy-feely version: “adapt or die.”