Klarafestival takes care of you: the residents

At Klarafestival, we let music speak to everyone. Indeed, we believe music has a unifying power that brings people together and touches them, regardless of their background or circumstances. With Klarafestival takes care of you, we bring classical music to several care homes, so that people who cannot travel to a concert hall can also enjoy a concert.

Composer and accordionist Sara Salvérius was invited for a special project. Sara spent a short period at the care home Clos-Bizet in Anderlecht, where she drew inspiration from the residents and their stories. Her experience resulted in a wonderful collection of eight unique compositions, each with its own story and emotion. Together with clarinettist Jean-Philippe Poncin, Sara toured several Brussels care homes to perform this music live for the residents and care staff.

After the concerts, we spoke to some of the residents about the role that music plays in their lives, and about how Sara’s and Jean-Philippe’s concert at the care home affected them.

‘The concert had a profound effect on me, the music touched me deeply. I am very fond of music. I was a singer myself, my stage name was Michelle Gentille. It began when I was at secondary school with a friend of mine, José Van Dam. My father didn’t want me to sing, but after he passed away I started singing again in 1981. I wrote a great many songs about my life and have several concert recordings on CD. I would love to sing again.’ - Micheline

‘The concert was a revelation for me. I had never listened to classical music before, but I thought it was really good. There should be more concerts at the care home: it gives pleasure, livens things up. Otherwise you sit in your room all day.’ - Raymonde

‘I found the concert very good. I love peaceful music; it mustn’t be too wild. I always tune the radio into Klara. I think concerts should be organised at the care home more often.’ - Godelieve

‘I used to play the piano. It was my grandmother who introduced me to music. We never went to the cinema, but always to concerts, mainly at Bozar.’ - Annie

‘In the past, I used to go to parties where you could hear accordion music. The accordion is an instrument that always appealed to me, because you can create a good atmosphere with it. I found the concert that just took place very interesting too. What’s more, music is good for elderly people.’ - Rosalia

© David Samyn