LOPBURI, THAILAND

British musician Paul Barton plays the piano for monkeys in Lopburi, Thailand. With Thailand’s tourism on pause amid the COVID-19 pandemic, monkeys that relied on visitors to give them food have become more aggressive, and so Thailand resident Barton has taken it upon himself to soothe these anxious monkeys with his calming classical music. Hoping to raise awareness of the monkeys’ hunger at a time when funds towards their welfare have also been reduced, Barton is also using the opportunity to study the monkeys’ behavioural responses to classical music. “I was surprised to play the piano and find that they were actually eating the [sheet] music as I was playing it, and pulling the stool to pieces. But I wasn’t going to let those things distract from the project which is to play the music for these wonderful macaques,” he says.

Monkeys are a new audience for Barton, but they aren’t his first animal onlookers, the musician having previously played for elderly and injured elephants at retirement sanctuaries. After serving as the inspiration for his artist wife’s sculptures, Barton fell in love with the elephants who posed for her work, and when she asked how he wanted to celebrate his 50th birthday, Barton said he would like to play for the elephants. “It’s a huge privilege to be surrounded by these wonderful creatures; a guest in their country, a guest in their home,” said Barton. “Just sitting still at the piano with them close by, listening or otherwise, is an unforgettable experience.”