RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 15

RANDOM REMINDER

PR IMA DONNA

Although there seemed to be evidence to the contrary at times last year, music can soothe the most savage of breasts. It must be so; for there was a very good example this month of musicians’ mellow outlook. It was at a family concert at the Christchurch Town Hall. In the front row sat a young woman with her small children — a boy, two girls. They ’ had a very good view of the orchestra, but the close-up did no more than excite the curiosity of the smallest child, a girl of four. Her mother bent to speak to her and

found her chair was empty. With a face like a Turner sunset, she watched her youngest slowly climbing the steps at the side of the stage. The young mother offered several short, eloquent prayers but they could not' have been properly addressed. The little lady began a detailed inspection of members of the orchestra, at that time very heavily engaged in the business of the evening. But those unemployed for a few bars spoke to her, obviously in the most kindly fashion. And

when the item was over, the conductor found the little visitor a chair. So for the rest of the concert she sat with the second violins: a charming addition to the work force.- Down below, mother, brother and sister were in t,he very depths of embarrassment. But the little charmer, sitting demurely on her chair, was a picture of confidence. They are all prepared to go to another of the concerts. As long, the older ones agree, they sit in the back row. And the little one is handcuffed to her chair.