Published on December 31, 2023 at 11.29pm / Modified on December 31, 2023 at 11.30pm
Defeated by Zubin Mehta
Far from the historic center, the Maggio Fiorentino stands like a mineral pyramid. It is here, in Florence, that we have an appointment with the famous Indian conductor Zubin Mehta, 87 years old. When he strikes noon you feel a slight nervousness: the interview is a subtle encounter, in which you have to let yourself be led while maintaining the reins. With the microphone turned on we begin our first question. Long silence. Let’s reiterate. From afar, the assistant invites us to speak closer to the magician’s ear. Let’s briefly imagine questioning Beethoven. Little by little we feel the game slipping out of hand and the answers fall out one by one like an old bellows. We switch from Italian to English before capitulating in French, the magician’s eye lights up. Well, our question about the Israel Philharmonic seems to have hit the mark! Alas, Zubin Mehta just responded next. Inside it’s a defeat, our pages get confused, they fly off the sofa. A moment later the chef shows us a photo of his son and then pats us on the shoulder. “I think you have what you need.” Microphone off. Fifteen minute interview. A light nervous laugh shakes us. Under the blooming Tuscan lime trees, we realize that this is probably the worst interview we’ve ever done. Juliette de Banes Gardonne
Interested in this article?
Enjoy a 30% discount on all our subscriptions until December 25th
CHECK THE OFFERS Good reasons to subscribe to Le Temps:
-
View all unlimited content on the site and mobile app
-
Access the paper edition in digital version by 7.00 am.
-
Take advantage of exclusive privileges reserved for subscribers
-
Access the archives
Already a subscriber? To access
2023-12-31 22:29:35
#cultural #year #memorable #memories