‘La La Land’ Orchestral Performance Saved by Keyboardist in the Audience

Article excerpt

During a live orchestral performance of the "La La Land" score in Sydney, a musician collapsed mid-show. Composer Justin Hurwitz appealed to the audience for a sight reader, someone who could play sheet music on the fly. A 21-year-old music student stood up and stepped into the role, playing the remaining sections from the keyboard without rehearsal. The performance continued to its conclusion, turning an emergency into an unexpected moment of collaborative artistry.