There’s no experience like hearing a real, live orchestra in a proper concert hall without artificial sound amplification. If it’s a choral work with real, live human voices at full stretch, the effect is even more powerful. The resonance in the space conveys sound frequencies at levels that the brain perceives unconsciously, creating that overwhelming, irresistible fascination that classical music can generate.

When I get back to Ottawa — moving day is at the end of August — I shall forthwith buy myself a season ticket for the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Now that I don’t have to worry that Edmund would be bored, I can be as much of a culture-vulture as I want.