Leading lady, mistress of strings

With hours of solo studying, the likelihood of succumbing to repetitive strain injuries and the constant sacrifice required, a professional musician’s lot is not as glamorous as it sounds. Ramona Depares finds out more from Malta Philharmonic Orchestra first violinist Marcelline Agius.

The sight of Marcelline Agius’s elegant, understated presence is a familiar one for habitués of concerts given by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). Guest and resident conductors come and go, but the orchestra’s first violinist is a constant.

Agius’s violin solos have become one of the high points of a given concert for die-hard attendees, but her role as first violinist involves a lot more than simply being a highly competent solist.

“Every instrument section has its own head of department, of course, but as head of the violin section the co-ordination of the whole orchestra falls upon my shoulders. Before we even start rehearsals with the conductor I am responsible for making sure we have all studied the score and that we are ready to hit the ground running as soon as the conductor joins us.”

The role brings with it numerous other chores – from giving cues to synchronising the orchestra’s group movements (which are almost choreographed) and even to being something of a diplomat-cum-agony aunt, Agius adds with a smile.

Agius joined the national orchestra aged 17; she says she owes her love for classical music to her uncle Joseph Galea, who was also part of the MPO.

“It wasn’t easy growing up with this particular passion. Teenage friends hardly understood what drove me to do hours of studying and practising when I could have been out partying with them instead.

“When you’re an adult it’s different, the audience appreciates the sacrifices involved. And there were many. I used to be very into sports, but I couldn’t keep up with all commitments. Music won out.”

Being a professional violinist does require a certain stamina. Repetitive strain injuries are common in the music profession; Agius mentions having suffered from tendonitis, the effects of bad posture, carpal tunnel syndrome and even a slipped disc.

“One of the biggest problems we encounter is that, as yet, there are no dedicated music physiotherapists practising in Malta. Those of us who suffer a job-related injury have only one goal – to heal that particular muscle as fast as possible in order to be able to go back to performing. Only a music physiotherapist will have the specialised knowledge necessary.”

Apart from the physical challenges, the profession brings with it the mental ones. Agius says she finds solos to be the most challenging aspect of her role. When she is not too keen on the particular piece of music, the challenge is doubled.

“For instance, the three-minute solo I performed during last month’s Movie Spectacular translated into over 30 hours of rehearsals.”

Throughout her years with the orchestra, Agius has seen a number of changes with the number of members steadily growing.

One of the changes that is particularly close to her heart is the increasingly innovative manner in which the orchestra is trying to make its music accessible to a diversity of people.

“Many were not really aware of our work before these different concerts started being organised. There was the idea that only a certain class of people would go to a national orchestra concert.

“We are working hard to defy these stereotypes and I believe we are succeeding slowly but surely.”

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing at the St John’s Day Commemoration Concert on Thursday at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, at 7.30 p.m. Entrance is free.