People ask me what have I learned, since starting a classical music consultancy company, that I didn't know when I was "just" a journalist. Well, plenty.
But one thing sticks out to me, and maybe it's because I'm Jewish, or maybe because I was just clearly out-of-date.
"It's bad luck to say good luck on opening night" carol the chorus in the musical theater version of The Producers. I know that, of course, but I thought that "break a leg" was the appropriate substitute. Sometimes I would come up with a knowing variation, "break a baton" to a conductor, say, or "break a bow" to a violinist.
What I did not know was what everyone, I mean everyone, seems to say in the business: "Toi, toi, toi!"
Seriously. My Facebook page, with the many artists I am honored to call my friends, is full of the phrase. How did this get started?
For those who don't know, "toi, toi, toi" is a Jewish traditional saying that was (at least when I was growing up) a thing said by older people who knew fluent Yiddish. It is an expression meant to ward off the evil eye, akin to throwing salt over your shoulder or wearing something blue.
I don't really believe in the evil eye. But to suddenly be faced with musicians of all ages and cultural backgrounds toi, toi, toi-ing has been a shock.
Not an unpleasant one. My guess is that Jewish musicians in New York spread the word and it caught on. And let's face it, it's far more pleasant a sentiment than wishing broken limbs on those you care about.
But what's next, I wonder? Perhaps "From your mouth to the critic's ear?"
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