The sweet sound of success
First came the Christchurch terror attacks, then came a global pandemic.
Each time, Gerry Paul waxed his moustache and pushed on.
Annual Wellington festival CubaDupa, held on Cuba St, had just been cancelled for the second time as New Zealand went into lockdown.
Paul, CubaDupa’s director, and his team spent that lockdown planning another, midwinter festival, unaware of whether the country would be out of lockdown in time for it to be held.
It was, and over Saturday and yesterday in the capital, Classical On Cuba packed out various venues with people listening to classical music. More than 3000 tickets were sold at $5 apiece, with many events sold out. All proceeds went towards the participating venues. With Orchestra Wellington pitching in, the event managed to get 20 ensembles across 15 venues for nearly 100 performances over its two days.
The intention was to support the city’s
Cuba St precinct bars and restaurants, which have been hit particularly hard by Covid-19, to bring intimate live music to patrons while they were seated at their tables.
The orchestra was divided into small chamber music groups to make up the ensembles. These included string quartets, brass trios, a harp and trombone duo, a percussion quintet, and a flute and marimba duo.
Some of the street’s most iconic establishments – Rogue & Vagabond, Hotel Bristol, 1154 Pastaria, San Fran, Laundry Bar, among others – participated.
Speaking yesterday, Paul said the overwhelming feedback was people were wanting to see the event back next year.
‘‘People have been so elated listening to these classical ensembles in their venues . . . The musicians are all buzzing, [they’re saying it’s] the most intimate audience experience they’ve had.’’
But Paul said Classical On Cuba would never fully replace the traditional CubaDupa festival but it might suit as a side project. ‘‘Cuba St is quirky, it’s eccentric and an event like this adds to that electricity.’’