“We had an incredible need to go back on stage, which is where we like to play the most, not in our homes or from the balcony as during confinement”, explained the director of the recital before its beginning. A concert with which Rivas sought to “encourage the public, so that this year is better than last.” To do this, the 25 musicians – accompanied by Elena Mikhailova as solo violinist – offered another surprise to the Jovellanos audience: the exclusive world premiere of the piece “Pace ad un anima” from the opera “La solitaria delle asturie”, by Saverio Mercadante, recovered by Rivas himself.
“The pandemic was a very big hit for the culture,” remarked the director from Gijón. And he added: “there are many musicians who, after much rehearsal, did not get paid because they could not go on stage to perform, it is sad and painful.” That is why Rivas opted to create his own orchestra, “To bet on what we have in Spain, that there is a lot of quality and enthusiasm for acting”.
And a good account of this can be given by the many who attended the concert yesterday to enjoy the good work of Rivas and his orchestra. “For me, if I don’t come to the New Year’s concert, it’s as if the year hadn’t started”, emphasized María Pilar Rodríguez, who has accumulated 18 years without missing one of these recitals at the Jovellanos to “start the year in good harmony.” A fan of classical music, she assured that “in the morning I already saw the Vienna one on television”, in an atypical image without an audience due to the pandemic.
Rosario García, Rosa Fernández and Laura Cobas yesterday lived the concert from the other side, from the stalls, after having performed in it two years ago, under Rivas’ orders. The three are singers from the Gijonesa Anselmo Solar Polyphonic Choir and define themselves as “lovers of music” and the good work of Mariano Rivas, “a great director”.
“A tradition” is also going to the concert for Carlos Remis, a great fan of classical music who especially appreciates that in a recital like yesterday’s there was “Happy music, like waltzes and polkas, we are missing, especially this year”. For Maite Huerta, however, yesterday’s was the first time. “I like classical music and also Mariano Rivas,” he explained, “I’m sure I’m going to get excited.” Along with her is Enrique Rodríguez, who attends the concert for the third consecutive year. “It’s beautiful and it also means supporting culture, which is more important than ever in these times,” he remarked.
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