Page 28 - Final_Coverage Book_Virtual Benedetti Sessions
P. 28
She is still coming to terms with the “massive adjustment” to her life after seeing two
months of concerts immediately wiped out and her disbelief that signature events like
the Edinburgh International Festival have been wiped out.
She is fearful over how long it will take for the music industry to stage a recovery,
describing the sudden impact of the virus on the music industry as “scary and
devastating.”
Benedetti was touring with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as the prospect of curbs on
events and the closure of cultural venues drew ever closer.
She recalled: “The SCO was one of the last orchestras to perform in the country. There
was very heightened emotion and it was quite an intense experience. Everybody was
aware that this was something that was going to be taken away from us quite quickly
and imminently.
“It was unbelievable. To have two months worth of concerts cancelled was the most
incredible shock to the system, which you feel acutely personally, but it was made so
much work by the fact the entire performing world, whether they are freelance
27