by Sam Hawkins &
Michael Zarathus-Cook

Ahead of her international tour, classical cellist Camille Thomas reflects on finding makeshift stages throughout the pandemic, and the revival of performance

in Paris.

“ I was born in an apartment in Paris so I have been on the roof all my life. It’s a part of my DNA. Now, I have my own place with access to the roof. Last March, I was spending so much time on it because of the lockdown. In Paris, the lockdown was very strict, it was also very difficult. The atmosphere was so tense and full of anxiety, and I was feeling quite depressed as a musician because I was playing alone at home. I felt that playing without sharing it to someone didn’t make any sense.

​

At the time, I saw two things: first, this spot on the roof. I felt good there and I wanted to share this feeling and I was hoping I could also bring happiness; something good for the soul. And then, of course, my way to share empathy is through music. So I took my cello and at first I played for my neighbours. During the lockdown, every night at 8:00 PM, people would come to the windows and applaud the nurses and doctors who were on the front lines. That first time, I wanted to play for them—my way of saying thank you.

Afterwards, I posted a video on the internet and I immediately received messages from all around the world. I was so touched to see that the music, that this view of Paris which was close enough to the sky to be a little bit above the troubles of the world, could bring people so much joy. People were writing to me, to tell me that it was giving them hope. So that’s why I continued. I felt that, at that moment, it was the only way I could share the music and share my heart. ”

Read the full article in the print edition of Issue No.7!

Issue No.7 features in-depth interview with artists and arts organizations across 10 cities. 

Click here to purchase a copy.