Chapter 99
The Semperoper Opera House’s performance hall was different from other concert halls .
Normal halls in Europe were arranged with the stage in the center with the auditorium around it . This allowed the sound to extend as far as possible, and it was easier for the audience to enjoy the most beautiful music .
But, an opera house gave priority to the theatrical performance .
In most opera houses, the orchestra was a meter or so lower than the stage so the audience could focus on the performance .
An excellent orchestra would never steal the opera’s spotlight . They would impress the audience with fantastic music and immerse them in the opera from start to finish .
Dresden’s Orchestra was one of the most outstanding at this .
《The Magic Flute》 was the last opera Mozart wrote in his short 35 years . The dream-like story was a fairytale .
A giant serpent chased a brave, Egyptian prince, but three ladies, attendants to the Queen of the Night, saved him . The Queen showed the prince a picture of her daughter and gave him a flute . She then asked him to rescue her child from the “Devil . ” However, the real identity of this so-called “Devil” was the Leader of the Light Priests . Thus, the prince was deceived into killing the “Devil” because of the Queen’s envy .
Just like Mozart, who experienced a turning point in his miserable life, every story had a happy ending . The prince saw through the Queen’s plot and married the beautiful princess . And 《The Magic Flute》 ushered in the perfect ending .
Stories were always beautiful, but life was cruel . As the greatest opera of his life, 《The Magic Flute》 earned him endless glory but could not save his life .
While Qi Mu was in Vienna, Lance told him that he wanted Qi Mu to be like Mozard, not Beethoven .
Though he suffered illness and a miserable life from a young age, Mozart’s music was positively optimistic . He believed the world was beautiful, and that good would always triumph over evil .
The second song of the first act 《Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja》 (The birdcatcher am I) was performed on stage .
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The tenor sang a lively tune, dressed in flamboyant garb . Under the stage, the orchestra’s melodious sound reached out to the audience .
Qi Mu had never been so glad that the orchestra had an inconspicuous position during an opera .
Qi Mu could feel a burning gaze on him as he walked onto the stage . It was so fierce it made his throat dry . He didn’t dare look up .
He knew——
It was that man .
Farrell personally ensured Qi Mu’s name wasn’t printed on the brochures and posters to avoid misunderstandings . No one in the audience knew of Qi Mu’s presence except for some of Farrell’s old friends .
And . . . Who else would stare at him with that kind of burning gaze?
As a member of the first violin group, avoiding the attention was difficult . When Qi Mu could no longer feel that fiery gaze, he let out a relieved sigh . Soon, the opera began .
Once he started playing, Qi Mu’s world consisted of only the orchestra’s sound and the conductor on the podium .
Qi Mu served as an ordinary member . With his skills, however, he was qualified to be the concertmaster . But, once he participated, Qi Mu realized the difference between an opera and orchestral performance .
To avoid overshadowing the actors, the orchestra had to hide in the dark, making the audience forget they were there at all but for the music .
For the first time, Qi Mu was not under the stage’s bright light . In the dark, he felt as if he had merged with the opera . He could play at will and dominate the stage .
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When the bass began their lament, the cello whimpered . The soprano roared in anger, and the violin and wind instruments echoed with a rumble .
It didn’t matter what technique was used in the dark . Even with the soprano, Qi Mu decisively abandoned the baritone part on the E-string and played the whole section on the D-string .
Once a continuous melody was played on two strings, no matter how fast the bow or how quick his fingers were, there would be a tiny gap .
But, there was another string between the tenor E and bass D-string . Playing the treble on the E-string in tandem with the D-string was a difficult feat for an amateur .
It was easy for a professional to grasp the treble accurately . But . . . what if the bass and treble must be played at high speed?
When he heard the note amongst the other sounds, Min Chen was astonished . He turned to the person hidden amongst the violinists .
In the dark, the man’s thin lips parted . If anyone could read lips, they would have read——
『Caught you』
The opera lasted for nearly three hours, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it . They were still immersed in the melody even after the prince and princess got together in the finale .
Qi Mu had never performed while being ignored before . He trailed after the other members of the orchestra and bowed to the audience .
Though they were ignored, Qi Mu was still satisfied he got to play 《The Magic Flute》 freely to his utmost content .
Thunderous applause broke out in the opera house, and the bright atmosphere became even warmer . Accompanied by the praise, the orchestra members exited the pit one after the other, officially ending the night’s show .
Farrell pounced as soon as he walked backstage . He laughed, “Angel, you did great tonight! I couldn’t hear it completely, but from how perfectly seamless it was . . . I guess you did quite a difficult trick, didn’t you? Like abandoning the E-string?”
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Although the maestro’s hearing wasn’t as superb as Min Chen’s, Farrell was much more skilled at the violin than the younger conductor . Though Min Chen could hear Qi Mu’s sound amongst the rest, he couldn’t guess the technique like Farrell did .
And, even if Farrell couldn’t hear it, he could guess from experience .
Qi Mu didn’t try to hide it . “Yes, Mr . Farrell . I thought the second piece of the third act would lag a bit if played on the E-string . I worried it would be noticeable, so . . . I tried playing it on the D . ”
Farrell nodded and praised him, “You’re really fast, Angel . I think, in a few years, even I wouldn’t be able to keep up with your left hand . Being young is so nice! Angel, I think you’re more suited to orchestra than opera, but it’s a pity . . . There doesn’t seem to be an orchestra in want of a new concertmaster right now . ”
Akkad said the same thing half a year earlier, so Qi Mu just smiled and didn’t pay much mind to it . “Mr . Farrell, as you said, I’m still young . And I don’t care much about these things right now . ”
Such a confident, calm young man made Farrell all the better about him . After a few more words of praise, the old man remembered, “Oh yeah, Angel . It’s late now, so the celebration party will be held tomorrow instead . You were informed, right?”
Qi Mu smiled and nodded, “Yes, Jenny told me yesterday . ”
“Well, it’s already this late so, come home with me,” Farrell added, “Audrey must have prepared a good red wine and is waiting for us to go back and celebrate . I’ll wait for you at the gate . ”
Qi Mu’s expression shifted .
A flash of hesitation appeared on his face, and he said, “Mr . Farrell . . . I’ll go back alone tonight . I have something to deal with . ”
Farrell thought for a moment then understood . Smiling teasingly, he asked, “What’s wrong? You want to talk to Auston? Angel, I’ve known him for over a decade . Though he doesn’t have a gentle temperament, he’s really a man worth trusting your life with . If you like him, don’t miss the chance . ”
“Yes, yes, yes . I know, Mr . Farrell . ”
“Angel, I’m saying this for your sake . Auston is a good man . He’s . . . ”
After a full five minutes of lecture, Qi Mu sent away the man who had discovered a love for matchmaking .
Watching the old man’s back, Qi Mu shook his head helplessly, “Me . . . go find him? How is that possible . . . ”
Yes, his plans for the night had something to do with him, but . . . Qi Mu wasn’t going to talk to him like Farrell assumed .
Since he was late arriving today, Qi Mu found that aside from the front and rear doors, there was a small side door just big enough for one person to walk through .
This kind of secret entrance was perfect for sneaking off!
Qi Mu crept out the door with his violin case and looked down the deserted street . He took a deep breath and, in a pleasant mood, whispered, “Hmm . . . What fresh air . . . ”
A low, magnetic voice rang out, “Well, it’s better than Berlin . ”
Qi Mu: “ . . . ”
The young man’s eyes widened in horror . In disbelief, he stared at the man who spoke .
A handsome man leaned against the brick wall, basking in the moonlight . His keen eyes stared fixed on Qi Mu, strong emotion brewing deep within them . His thin lips curled at the corners with ridicule and laughter .
If it wasn’t Min Chen, who else could it be, ah?!!!
Qi Mu: “ . . . ”