King of Classical Music 145

Even after more than half a month, 《The Marriage of Figaro》 showed no signs of slowing as audiences continued to pour in the Palisade Theatre, buying tickets for the performance.

In the early winter nights in Vienna, the moon already hung high in the sky and retro-style buildings stood like castles from medieval times. Dozens of people entered the theatre, waiting for the opera to start.

“Locke, I didn’t expect you to listen to 《Figaro》!”

“Haha, Des, I never thought I’d see you. Didn’t you come last week? Why are you here again?”

“Hey, didn’t you guys share your tickets on Facebook the other day? Why are you guys here again?”

Two middle-aged men looked at each other, then tactifully smiled and walked into the theatre side by side.

As long as the opera was good enough, it always attracted an audience to watch it over and over again. Even if the singer sang the same track, the different occasions brought out something new for the audiences. 

And the Palisade Theatre’s recent progress was obvious to all, particularly their orchestra accompaniment. They were sometimes as majestic as the thunder, sometimes as sentimental as a lover’s whisper. Just listening to the accompaniment was worth the money.

Even a famous music critic in Vienna, Schaffer, gave high praise to the Palisade Theatre’s 《The Wedding of Figaro》in the 《The Voice of Vienna》, saying, “The orchestra improved at an amazing speed. Their cooperation, adjustment, and sensitivity to music are all growing rapidly. This is an unforgettable 《The Wedding of Figaro》. They hide behind the actors, but without a doubt, they’re all hidden heroes!”

When Daniel arrived at the theatre, he stood in front of the beautiful European-style building and nodded. “I’ve only seen the Palisade Theatre once, but it’s quite a big theatre, Christole.”

Stepping out of the car, Christole smiled helplessly.“Daniel, the Palisade is one of the famous private theatres in Vienna. Their opera has always been excellent.”

Daniel nodded, then turned to the other man. “By the way, Min, where’s the ticket?”

In the dark night, a handsome man with deep facial features stood on the side of the street, his eyes closed. He was dressed in a black, custom-made suit, tailored to fit his figure perfectly. Most of his face was obscured in the darkness, making it hard for anyone to recognize him.

“No ticket for you.” After a pause, Min Chen turned to Christole and said, “Christole, don’t bother with him.”

Daniel immediately retorted, “Nonsense! When Little Angel sent the tickets, I clearly saw there were five of them! The rest of the orchestra didn’t dare come with you, so you dragged me and Christole along! I haven’t listened to Little Angel’s violin for a while. You, give the ticket right now!”

Min Chen raised his eyebrows, but before he could speak, Christole helplessly said, “Auston, I don’t think Angel wanted you to sit alone and leave the other four seats vacant. He sent you five tickets, after all. The opera is about to start. Let’s go, shall we?”

The battle ended with a peacemaker and Min Chen reluctantly went into the hall with Daniel and Christole. The opera was starting up when they got in, so the only light sources were the dimly lit lamps on the walls. Thus, they entered the hall unnoticed.

After a long opening bell, the remaining lights in the theatre flicked out and the hall fell dark. 

Even Daniel stayed silent after the opening bell, waiting for the opera to begin.

The first sound they heard was a soft violin. The beauty of the string instrument was vivid in the darkness. After the wind instruments joined in, the curtain opened and the stage lit up as the actors began to perform.

When the first track ended, Daniel whispered, “The singing is good, but it’s not good enough for people to fill the theater for half a month. The orchestra is really good, though. What do you think?”

“The string instrument group played well, the woodwind is a bit lacking,” Christole commented with a smile.

Daniel then turned to the man at his other side. “Min, what do you think?”

“It’s good.” After a pause, the man added, “The concertmaster is the best.”

Daniel: “…”

Don’t praise your Little Angel all the time! You wanna die, ah?!

Although Daniel didn’t have much musical background, he studied piano and accordion for more than a decade. As Bai Ai’s agent, he was also influenced by the excellent music in his years of service. Therefore, compared to many other simple fans, he was more qualified to comment on the opera.

If Daniel could hear the orchestra’s excellent performance, then Christole could hear the different instruments even better. When he pointed out that the string instruments were good, what he was implying was, “the violin group is really good”.

Of course, Christole could only hear the instruments together from his position, but Min Chen…

He had already found the violin he’d been waiting for from the beginning.

The last time he heard the youth’s violin was in Paris. Back then, they both stood on stage together as they played 《Spring Sonata》.

The sound of the piano and violin whispering to each other still rang in his ears. But now, the youth already had the ability to lead an orchestra by himself. He performed such a beautiful, moving melody.

He was progressing rapidly… No, he was improving too quickly!

Even the stoic Min Chen was deeply shocked by this horrifying speed. He felt a heavy pressure in his chest. 

When the classic tracks ended, Daniel gave an applause. At the end of the opera, a chorus of “Bravo”s echoed from the back of the audience hall before a roaring applause.

While applauding, Daniel praised, “Christole, their performance is really good. It’s at the level of the Vienna National Opera, don’t you think? I haven’t heard such a skillful 《The Wedding of Figaro》 for so long. It’s very beautiful.” 

Christole nodded. “Yes, the singing was good. Moreover, by the second act, the orchestra accompaniment was excellent, making the opera as a whole even more outstanding.” After a slight pause, he smiled and added, “If Angel is the concertmaster of this orchestra, then… I might be feeling some pressure.”

Hearing this, Daniel raised an eyebrow. “You’re worried that he might surpass you someday?”

Christole replied, “You think that day is still very far away?”

Daniel’s understanding of string instruments was average. “Little Angel is only 22 this year, while you were 25 when you joined Bai Ai. To surpass you back then, I think Little Angel could’ve done it in a year or two. But the current you… it’s absolutely impossible. Don’t think so little of yourself, Christole.”

Not refuting Daniel’s words, Christole smiled and nodded under the hall lights. Then, he looked at the man sitting opposite of him.

In a short moment, the chief conductor and concertmaster of Bai Ai reached a consensus——

That day might not be so far away. They must work harder.

At the end of the performance, the audience chanted a warm chorus of “Encore”. Since they were so enthusiastic, the Palisade Theatre Orchestra and the actors performed another classic. 

Min Chen didn’t stay for the encore. Before all the lights were turned on, the three quietly left the hall.

Daniel and Christole went back first while Min Chen glanced at the signposts, then at the path to the Palisade Theatre’s backstage. Seeing the backstage entrance before him, he took a step closer, when… 

He was stopped.

The security guard between the front entrance and the backstage entrance eyed him suspiciously, seeing only half his jaw, as most of his face was hidden beneath a black mask.

…Dressed up like a thief, he was definitely not a good person!

A tall, burly security guard sternly called, “Sir, this is a workers only area. Please turn back.”

Hesitating, Min Chen looked up at the man and whispered, “My… friend works with the theatre’s orchestra. I’m picking him up.”

The security guard hesitated, then shook his head. “Then please wait for your friend outside, sir.”

With a particularly long sigh, Min Chen took off the mask, his gaze cold. With a calm tone and an elegant, noble temperament, he said, “I’m Auston Bertram and I have an appointment with Mr. Wallace, the conductor of the orchestra.”

The moment he took the mask off, the security guard’s eyes widened. Then, he frowned and doubtfully asked, “Begging you pardon, sir. But… who is Auston Bertram?”

Min Chen, whose face was a little painful at the moment: “…”

Outside the opera hall, an indifferent-looking man and a burly security guard stared at each other in a deadlock. Finally, a staff member of the Palisade Theatre passed by and broke the silence. 

“Au… Au… Mr. Auston Bertram?!!!”

Min Chen nodded and calmly said, “Hello. I want to go backstage to find a friend.”

“Ah… Sure!!! Please follow me!!!!”

Placing his hand on his chest, Min Chen then politely bowed to the confused security guard and said, “You are very dedicated.” 

Then, he then strode away with his long legs, following the staff member.

Look, it’s not that I’m not famous! It’s him that knew too little!

Humph!