★ ★ ★ ★
The Belfast Music Society’s presentation of high quality classical music in a very relaxed setting, is perhaps the best way to enjoy music. Who told us we had to sit on hard, wooden chairs, in rapt silence, eyes forward, to enjoy this most elevating of art forms? There is an intersection between snobbery in the arts and ableism, and here we can see both blasted out of the water.
Christopher, Cecily and Lauren from RiCh Music NI are brilliant! Offering beautiful compositions and operatic singing with Makaton signing. It was a real treat to be enveloped by the music whilst lounging back on big comfortable cushions, the ambient light accompanying the sound. It is what sensory play rooms essentially do, but here it has been brought into a (usually stuffy) creative arena. The merger benefits everyone, especially the audience, who comprised of parents with young children, may of whom danced, sung along and really connected to the music. I left wishing all classical concerts were like this!
