Today's meeting is with Maestro Paula Gallardo; she is Argentine by birth, Italian by adoption, she is Paula, she lives in Rome where she is very active in the world of choirs and she conducts seven choirs. Pianist and composer, you have participated in the Alta Pusteria Festival for five editions.

Let's start with the questions!

FIRST OF ALL, WITH REGARD TO THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE PANDEMIC, WHAT IS YOUR STATE OF MIND?

Honestly, in March 2020 I had the fear that we would never sing again. In spring, however, we met again doing our tests in the parks: this filled me with hope! Above all, I understood how indispensable choral activity was for my choristers: they have always been present and enthusiastic, despite the small inconveniences of sometimes bringing a chair or singing with masks ...

REGARDING THE ACTIVITY OF YOUR CHOIR, ARE YOU IN ANY WAY CONTINUING TO PERFORM REGULAR TESTS?

Sure. I must also add that, conducting choirs with different characteristics, I had to adopt various solutions for each of them. With large groups I rehearse in rather large rooms, keeping doors and windows open. In smaller rooms I organize shifts with small groups of five / six people at a time. With a couple of choirs I also organized outdoor rehearsals, which however depend on the climate: if it rains or is too cold they are suspended.

IN THIS PERIOD, MANY PLATFORMS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO CONTINUE MUSICAL ACTIVITIES ONLINE: DO YOU THINK THAT THE INTERNET CAN REPLACE LIVE CHOIR ACTIVITY?

Definitely no. I think that artistic activity can never be replaced with any kind of virtuality. I must say that we also tried to make small experiences on virtual and "social" platforms; however, they were short events and, frankly, they confirmed to us that this is not how we want to make music together.

DO YOU THINK THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE IN SPRING?

I hope so, although it will probably only be outdoors. If that were the case, it would still mean a lot for us: we are already planning meetings in parks and villas.

FINALLY, WHAT MEMORIES DO YOU HAVE OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE ALTA PUSTERIA FESTIVAL?

I have participated in the Festival five times with four different choirs; my memories are many and all very beautiful. The most significant? Some emotions were really strong, such as the concert in the Mahler Hall in Dobbiaco, the performance on the top of Plan de Corones with the spectacular scenery of the mountains, the meeting with a large number of international choirs, the air and the sky of Dolomites. We miss the Festival!

ALL OF US REALLY MISS THE FESTIVAL! THANKS PAULA, AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON IN VAL PUSTERIA.