Vocabulary:
- opt /opt/
- halt /hawlt/
- amid /uh-MID/
- precautionary /pri-KAW-shuh-ner-ee/
- stream /streem/
[verb] to make a choice
Heeding his doctor’s advice and a handful of prescribed medication, Levi opted to drink orange juice rather than beer.
[verb] to stop something, or to bring something to a stop
The blackout halted the party’s preparations.
[preposition] in the middle of or surrounded by
They finished the project amid the huge number of meetings and deadlines.
[adjective] intended to prevent something unpleasant or dangerous from happening
A checkpoint is one of the city’s precautionary measures for the residents’ safety.
[verb] to send sound or video on a computer, mobile phone, internet, etc.
Nina often streams her gameplays using Twitch.
Europe and neighboring countries have opted to halt mass gatherings amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Shutdowns of schools, bars, museums and concert halls is another precautionary measure to avoid the transmission of the disease. Igor Levit, a Russian-German pianist who lives in Berlin, chose this opportunity to stream a free concert by playing Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata Op. 53 online.
The spread of the disease has affected the music industry but also allowed musicians to find a way to deliver their music. During his stream, Levit told his viewers, “It’s a sad time, it’s a weird time, but acting is better than doing nothing, let’s bring the house concert into the 21st century!” His 25-minute piano performance received 6,000 likes on Twitter. Opera houses like the Staatsoper in Austria and the Philharmonie Berlin Orchestra also streamed their performances around the world.
The spread of the disease has affected the music industry but also allowed musicians to find a way to deliver their music. During his stream, Levit told his viewers, “It’s a sad time, it’s a weird time, but acting is better than doing nothing, let’s bring the house concert into the 21st century!” His 25-minute piano performance received 6,000 likes on Twitter. Opera houses like the Staatsoper in Austria and the Philharmonie Berlin Orchestra also streamed their performances around the world.
True or False:
- Musicians in Germany exhibited their performances online.
- Mass gatherings in Europe are stopped due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Schools, bars, museums and concert halls are closed amid the pandemic.
- Igor Levit is a European pianist who stays in Berlin.
- Levit’s piano concert was around 25 minutes.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on free online concerts?
- If you were a musician, would you try to stream your music? Please explain your answer.
- Which genre of music do you prefer to listen to? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think technology has affected the music industry? Please give 3 reasons and explain your answer.
- Have you ever visited an opera house? If yes, please share your experience. If no, would you be interested to try? Why?
Express Your Opinion:
- “Art and life are not two separate things.” – Felix Mendelssohn
- “Music is life and, like it, inextinguishable.” – Carl Nielsen
- “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” ― Billy Joel