Chapter 145
Even after more than half a month, 《The Marriage of Figaro》 showed no signs of slowing as audiences continued to pour in the Palisade Theatre, buying tickets for the performance .
In the early winter nights in Vienna, the moon already hung high in the sky and retro-style buildings stood like castles from medieval times . Dozens of people entered the theatre, waiting for the opera to start .
“Locke, I didn’t expect you to listen to 《Figaro》!”
“Haha, Des, I never thought I’d see you . Didn’t you come last week? Why are you here again?”
“Hey, didn’t you guys share your tickets on Facebook the other day? Why are you guys here again?”
Two middle-aged men looked at each other, then tactifully smiled and walked into the theatre side by side .
As long as the opera was good enough, it always attracted an audience to watch it over and over again . Even if the singer sang the same track, the different occasions brought out something new for the audiences .
And the Palisade Theatre’s recent progress was obvious to all, particularly their orchestra accompaniment . They were sometimes as majestic as the thunder, sometimes as sentimental as a lover’s whisper . Just listening to the accompaniment was worth the money .
Even a famous music critic in Vienna, Schaffer, gave high praise to the Palisade Theatre’s 《The Wedding of Figaro》in the 《The Voice of Vienna》, saying, “The orchestra improved at an amazing speed . Their cooperation, adjustment, and sensitivity to music are all growing rapidly . This is an unforgettable 《The Wedding of Figaro》 . They hide behind the actors, but without a doubt, they’re all hidden heroes!”
When Daniel arrived at the theatre, he stood in front of the beautiful European-style building and nodded . “I’ve only seen the Palisade Theatre once, but it’s quite a big theatre, Christole . ”
Stepping out of the car, Christole smiled helplessly . “Daniel, the Palisade is one of the famous private theatres in Vienna . Their opera has always been excellent . ”
Daniel nodded, then turned to the other man . “By the way, Min, where’s the ticket?”
In the dark night, a handsome man with deep facial features stood on the side of the street, his eyes closed . He was dressed in a black, custom-made suit, tailored to fit his figure perfectly . Most of his face was obscured in the darkness, making it hard for anyone to recognize him .
“No ticket for you . ” After a pause, Min Chen turned to Christole and said, “Christole, don’t bother with him . ”
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Daniel immediately retorted, “Nonsense! When Little Angel sent the tickets, I clearly saw there were five of them! The rest of the orchestra didn’t dare come with you, so you dragged me and Christole along! I haven’t listened to Little Angel’s violin for a while . You, give the ticket right now!”
Min Chen raised his eyebrows, but before he could speak, Christole helplessly said, “Auston, I don’t think Angel wanted you to sit alone and leave the other four seats vacant . He sent you five tickets, after all . The opera is about to start . Let’s go, shall we?”
The battle ended with a peacemaker and Min Chen reluctantly went into the hall with Daniel and Christole . The opera was starting up when they got in, so the only light sources were the dimly lit lamps on the walls . Thus, they entered the hall unnoticed .
After a long opening bell, the remaining lights in the theatre flicked out and the hall fell dark .
Even Daniel stayed silent after the opening bell, waiting for the opera to begin .
The first sound they heard was a soft violin . The beauty of the string instrument was vivid in the darkness . After the wind instruments joined in, the curtain opened and the stage lit up as the actors began to perform .
When the first track ended, Daniel whispered, “The singing is good, but it’s not good enough for people to fill the theater for half a month . The orchestra is really good, though . What do you think?”
“The string instrument group played well, the woodwind is a bit lacking,” Christole commented with a smile .
Daniel then turned to the man at his other side . “Min, what do you think?”
“It’s good . ” After a pause, the man added, “The concertmaster is the best . ”
Daniel: “…”
Don’t praise your Little Angel all the time! You wanna die, ah?!
Although Daniel didn’t have much musical background, he studied piano and accordion for more than a decade . As Bai Ai’s agent, he was also influenced by the excellent music in his years of service . Therefore, compared to many other simple fans, he was more qualified to comment on the opera .
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If Daniel could hear the orchestra’s excellent performance, then Christole could hear the different instruments even better . When he pointed out that the string instruments were good, what he was implying was, “the violin group is really good” .
Of course, Christole could only hear the instruments together from his position, but Min Chen…
He had already found the violin he’d been waiting for from the beginning .
The last time he heard the youth’s violin was in Paris . Back then, they both stood on stage together as they played 《Spring Sonata》 .
The sound of the piano and violin whispering to each other still rang in his ears . But now, the youth already had the ability to lead an orchestra by himself . He performed such a beautiful, moving melody .
He was progressing rapidly… No, he was improving too quickly!
Even the stoic Min Chen was deeply shocked by this horrifying speed . He felt a heavy pressure in his chest .
When the classic tracks ended, Daniel gave an applause . At the end of the opera, a chorus of “Bravo”s echoed from the back of the audience hall before a roaring applause .
While applauding, Daniel praised, “Christole, their performance is really good . It’s at the level of the Vienna National Opera, don’t you think? I haven’t heard such a skillful 《The Wedding of Figaro》 for so long . It’s very beautiful . ”
Christole nodded . “Yes, the singing was good . Moreover, by the second act, the orchestra accompaniment was excellent, making the opera as a whole even more outstanding . ” After a slight pause, he smiled and added, “If Angel is the concertmaster of this orchestra, then… I might be feeling some pressure . ”
Hearing this, Daniel raised an eyebrow . “You’re worried that he might surpass you someday?”
Christole replied, “You think that day is still very far away?”
Daniel’s understanding of string instruments was average . “Little Angel is only 22 this year, while you were 25 when you joined Bai Ai . To surpass you back then, I think Little Angel could’ve done it in a year or two . But the current you… it’s absolutely impossible . Don’t think so little of yourself, Christole . ”
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Not refuting Daniel’s words, Christole smiled and nodded under the hall lights . Then, he looked at the man sitting opposite of him .
In a short moment, the chief conductor and concertmaster of Bai Ai reached a consensus——
That day might not be so far away . They must work harder .
At the end of the performance, the audience chanted a warm chorus of “Encore” . Since they were so enthusiastic, the Palisade Theatre Orchestra and the actors performed another classic .
Min Chen didn’t stay for the encore . Before all the lights were turned on, the three quietly left the hall .
Daniel and Christole went back first while Min Chen glanced at the signposts, then at the path to the Palisade Theatre’s backstage . Seeing the backstage entrance before him, he took a step closer, when…
He was stopped .
The security guard between the front entrance and the backstage entrance eyed him suspiciously, seeing only half his jaw, as most of his face was hidden beneath a black mask .
…Dressed up like a thief, he was definitely not a good person!
A tall, burly security guard sternly called, “Sir, this is a workers only area . Please turn back . ”
Hesitating, Min Chen looked up at the man and whispered, “My… friend works with the theatre’s orchestra . I’m picking him up . ”
The security guard hesitated, then shook his head . “Then please wait for your friend outside, sir . ”
With a particularly long sigh, Min Chen took off the mask, his gaze cold . With a calm tone and an elegant, noble temperament, he said, “I’m Auston Bertram and I have an appointment with Mr . Wallace, the conductor of the orchestra . ”
The moment he took the mask off, the security guard’s eyes widened . Then, he frowned and doubtfully asked, “Begging you pardon, sir . But… who is Auston Bertram?”
Min Chen, whose face was a little painful at the moment: “…”
Outside the opera hall, an indifferent-looking man and a burly security guard stared at each other in a deadlock . Finally, a staff member of the Palisade Theatre passed by and broke the silence .
“Au… Au… Mr . Auston Bertram?!!!”
Min Chen nodded and calmly said, “Hello . I want to go backstage to find a friend . ”
“Ah… Sure!!! Please follow me!!!!”
Placing his hand on his chest, Min Chen then politely bowed to the confused security guard and said, “You are very dedicated . ”
Then, he then strode away with his long legs, following the staff member .
Look, it’s not that I’m not famous! It’s him that knew too little!
Humph!
Translator(s): Kuro
TL Check: Teo
Editor(s): Empress
Proofer(s): Ayn