WORLD WATCH

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BARCELONA, SPAIN

A total of 2,292 plants occupied the seats of Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu opera as it reopened its doors after Spain’s coronavirus state of emergency forced the famed opera house to shut in mid-March. A string quartet performed Puccini’s Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums) and, although there was no-one in the audience, spectators could watch the ‘Concierto para el Bioceno’ via live stream.

The Liceu called the event a “symbolic act that defends the value of art, music and nature as a letter of introduction to our return to activity”. The plants were brought in from nearby nurseries, and following the event ,each one was donated to a healthcare worker from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Spain lifted its national state of emergency after a three-month coronavirus lockdown but, around the world, performers are still contending with restrictions imposed during the pandemic. Some have tried streaming online and a few have even booked to play in empty stadiums.

In May, contemporary pianist and composer Fiona Joy Hawkins of Kendall, NSW began streaming her music on social media channels, offering an online ‘tip jar’ as a result of being unable to work. In late June, the Australian Government announced a $250 million package to support artists and organisations to get back in business following the disruptions caused by COVID-19. This builds on the $27 million in dedicated financial support for Indigenous visual art centres, regional arts and the live music and performance industries.

VISIT MiNDFOOD.COM

The Australian Ballet has created an online platform where you can watch performances, go behind the scenes of the rehearsal process and even learn to dance yourself. mindfood.com/ballet-digital-season