No strings attached
Hiro Kurosaki is in a league of his own. This gay musician is in Australia to guest direct the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s Vivaldi Violin Velocity production.
Opening this Friday night, the show features more than 20 musicians on stage playing music from the first half of the 18th century and audiences should find it captivating.
“This show is all about the virtuoso violin, particularly around the time of Vivaldi – it’s all Italian or Italian-influenced music,” Kurosaki said.
“We’re playing a really rare piece by Pisendel who was the violin virtuoso of his day – even more so than his friend Vivaldi. It gives us an idea just what this amazing player might have been capable of doing.”
Kurosaki will also be playing a violin made by Giovanni Battista Rogeri.
Born in Japan and raised in Vienna, he performs all over Europe as a soloist and concertmaster. Now residing in Valencia, he’s fast becoming a music icon.
This is Kurosaki’s first trip to Australia and he is looking forward to checking out the scene.
“Since the Iron Curtain fell, Vienna has more and more become a centre where east and west meet,” he said.
“People come from everywhere and the city and its gay scene are very open.”
There is also an interesting culture of men meeting at the opera in Vienna. Back when there not many gay bars, people used to meet in the audience at performances and that culture still exists. It is lots of fun.”
Growing up gay in a Japanese household was hard for this musician.
“It was difficult. In a Japanese family, one just doesn’t talk about such things. I became very independent very early and left home at 19. But my parents in time came to terms with it.”
Vivaldi Violin Velocity will be performed at the City Recital Hall from Friday 31 August till Wednesday 5 September. Tickets start at $29. Bookings on 8256 2222 or www.cityrecitalhall.com.au.
