A moment of high: Michael Makhal

Michael Makhal was in Italy recently to be a part of a month-long music fest where he got to be the music conductor for a day, writes Prabalika M. Borah.

Michael Makhal

Michael Makhal is living the moment and is quite pleased with himself. He was recently at the Luci Della Ribalta music festival in Narni, Italy and he was in the music fest cum master class to perform and learn but was pretty pleased when he was chosen to conduct at the music fest. “A small music ensemble not a big symphony,” he says with all humility. Michael, Western classical violinist, symphony composer and conductor throws more light on the music fest: “Luci Della Ribalta is a government recognised music festival, which takes place in the hilly town of Italy called Narni. Its an international music festival, therefore, select musicians, opera singers, composers and conductors join from all over the world. Soloists too aspire to be part of this amazing music festival and perform as a mentor and performer. Some of such soloist who were present at the fest was Maestro Romain Garioud, Alessandro Viale, Francesco Telli , Madlen Stokic Vasiljevic and more.”

Selection process

Michael explain the selection process as a strict one where candidates are required to send their detailed profiles, videos and a lot more regarding each candidate’s association with music.

“I was presently surprised, when I received a confirmation email from the organisers confirming my selection to join the festival as a learner, assistant to famous Conductor Maestro Alessandro Viale.

This festival offers limited number of professionals and advance students to take part in the whole music festival which runs for about half a month, also learn and work under a renowned maestro on the respective subject,” says Michael who was the only Indian at the festival.

He was later thrilled when the Maestro Viale asked him to be a conductor for one of the music presentations.

“The only Indian person we have ever heard of conducting a Western Classical music is Zubin Mehta. Except NRIs it is very rare to find Indians perform at Symphony Opera Music, so the opportunity I got is a big one. I performed a concert and conducted two pieces in the whole concert —1st movement of St. Paul’s Suit by Gustav Holst, which was the beginning piece of the evening and the final movement of Bach’s Suite No. 2, which was the ending piece of the event,” adds Michael.