Romancing the Violin

Patricia Rozario being conferred the OBE by Prince Charles FB has it’s merits, as it spreads the word instantly and quickly. So flicking through my FB page yesterday, I was surprised and delighted to see that Patricia Rozario OBE, FRCM from London, who is related to us through cousins in Mumbai, was performing at the Bangalore International Centre. Patricia is a world class soprano who is known across the globe for her amazing range and voice, for decades.We had read about her singing all over the world in the news over the years, but had never heard her sing. I shared the invite with my son so we could attempt to go, especially since he is keen on learning to play the violin. The concert was in memory of our famous Bangalore violinist Philomena Thumboochetty, who used to play in the Max Mueller Bhavan Orchestra with my Uncle Priest who was a noted violinist.

Patricia Rozario OBE Almost immediately Patricia replied on FB, saying she was looking forward to seeing us -- the amazing power of the net and FB! We had never been to BIC and so called a number of friends to find the easiest way there. Nothing easy about travelling in Bangalore, traffic is horrendous especially at that time -- 6ish in the evening when everyone is scurrying home. Romancing the Violin -- the invitation looked awesome and my excitement began to ebb when we were caught in traffic all the way. However, we finally found the imposing building and rushed in. We landed up to closed doors and a stern young man who said -- NO SPACE even standing on the steps! Sorry! And very firmly closed the door shut.

No one says NO to an Arian, no one! I was not going out in that horrendous traffic again. (I claimed relationship by virtue of being Lynn and Gloria Rozario's first cousin! ) The young man shifted stance when he heard the word cousin. And relented and let us in. I gasped with shock, he was right, there was no place even on the steps going up. People were just squatting all over the steps and listening to the music. Bangalore does love Western Classical music, I had forgotten my DH days covering shows. So there was I inching upwards and trying to squeeze in right at the top of the steps. Lucky as the concert progressed people left and standees went to sit. With each performance, a few more left and I even got to sit for the last few songs! Rozario is a Mumbai born British soprano. Her wide concert and opera repertoire ranges from Baroque to contemporary music. Her career according to the brochure, included concerts at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the BBC Proms and has sung under the worlds leading conductors from North America, Canada, Russia, East Asia, Australia and throughout Europe. Many of the pieces were written especially for her.

Performing at BIC in Bangalore Patricia was awarded the OBE in 2001, Asian Woman’s award in 2002 and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award in 2013. And the latest in 2014 a fellow of the Royal College of Music. She is currently professor in the Royal College and at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire.,Impressive? Stupendous more likely, her stature is phenomenal and yet she is so simple. . Her husband Mark Troop, British pianist, broadcaster and writer is the founder of the Chamber Music Company, a creative performance group. He and Patricia his wife, run a teaching project here in India, training future Indian vocalists. Troop from 2014 lectures in Goa University and trains the next generation of pianists and teachers.. The violinist was Phillippe Honore who played on the ‘Kustendyke’ Stradivarius on loan from the Royal Academy of Music. His single solo piece-- Meditation from Thais by Jules Massenet just snaked out and enveloped us as we stood entranced listening to him, standing on the steps. His rendition was magical and had the hall enthralled with the beauty of the notes he coaxed out of the instrument.

Singing at the Bangalore International Centre on the 13th October As the evening progressed all that resounded in my head was --Patricia, what a voice! What an outstandingly stupendous voice coming out of that sllght and petite frame of yours. And your breathing control was remarkable to say the least. I am so glad FB connected us and I got to finally hear you sing. What a gift and you are using it so wonderfully. Thank you for the music, no wonder you got Bangalore to give you a standing ovation and we all begged for an encore.

Patricia and me after the concert, backstage. Coming back stage to meet you was fantastic. Looking forward to your next event at the Bangalore Club on the 17th.We are not members but in a jiffy ‘passes’ were arranged for the three of us, while Ambassadors and Ministers waited. Thank you for your simplicity and graciousness.