I went to my first live classical music concert when I was 14 years old, to see a production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. It was during the Christmas season, so I was already in a good mood, but when I heard that opening chord and listed to the orchestra play those beautiful notes, I was transfixed, and knew that I was in for the experience of a lifetime.
When the concert was over, we went out to eat and she asked me what I thought. I told her that I had never seen anything like it, and that I wanted to go to as many live performances as possible. She laughed and said that it does have a tendency to get into your blood.
Once again, I was completely mesmerized by the experience. I had always enjoyed playing classical music at home, but nothing compared to the live classical music that I had gotten to experience at our local concert hall. I knew that it would be something I would enjoy for the rest of my life.
I have since been to see six other operas and will go to two more this year alone. Live classical music is like nothing I have ever experienced and is something that will be a part of my life for as long as I live.