9 Fiddlers Under One Roof! Abreo Violin Prodigies Enthrall Crowd at old-Age Home
Nine Fiddlers All Under One Roof! Abreo Violin Prodigies Enthrall Crowd at The Little Sisters of the Poor, an old-Age Home at Bajjodi, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The much talked about splendid Violin performance by the Abreo Kids became a reality when they took the stage at the Home for the Old-age run by The Little Sisters of the Poor-Bajjodi here on Thursday, 15 June 2017. The “Abreo Kids” -namely Michael Joseph (18 yrs), Daniel Francis (17), Christine Marie (15), Maria Therese (13), Jane Elizabeth (11), Rachel Ann (9), John Paul (7), Luke (5) and Joseph (3) gave a short and sweet violin performance of 20 minutes, which enthralled the seniors of the Old-age and the audience, who gave a thunderous applaud. These nine kids were accompanied by their parents, Dad Dr Gerald Abreo, a Cardiologist, and mom, Nicole- all of them come down from Houston, Texas, USA.
Two years ago seven of the Abreo kids played at the same location, now they have gone from Septet (seven) to Nonet (nine), with the addition of Luke and Joseph (two years ago they were too small to play the violin) – and nine of them performed this year. Every two years, the Abreo family during this time of the year come down to their hometown, Mangaluru, and make special visits to Ashrams, old-aged homes, and play the violin for them. Speaking to Team Mangalorean Dr Gerard said, ” I am happy to note that this year all my kids are playing and entertaining people. But next year my eldest son Michael will be joining medical college, so he may drop out from the group. Rest of my kids will remain in the group. When asked if he plans on an addition to the existing siblings, smilingly Dr Gerard replied saying “Maybe. Right now I can’t tell you. It’s up to God. We don’t make life, it is God who makes a life.”. So until then, all you readers on Mangalorean.com keep your fingers crossed- we’ll keep you updated if at all a ‘new kid’ is added to the Abreo nonet.
The Abreo Violin Family is a great Ambassador to Indian Value systems. They are humble, humane and compassionate towards people. The family care for others. In the family too, each one care for everyone. To make both ends meet is a phrase about balancing revenue and expenditure. People are afraid to have more children because of economic factors. When we look at the family, we see the blessings in many aspects. Dr Gerard Abreo is a simple human being a Cardiologist having his own clinic and practice in Texas, America. He is a Sportsman, musician, homemaker and society builder. In the family of Dr Gerard Abreo, we see a family that value very much about Indian value systems. Even when they live in the modern social environment that care for nothing, Dr Abreo and Family care for everyone and everything.
The entire family playing the violin- for this Dr Abreo gives credit to his wife Nicole Abreo and her Uncle Frank Lobo, who is an acclaimed Violinist for over sixty years now, residing at “Sangeeth Vihar”-Bejai, Mangaluru- the owner of Lobo Tile Factory/Lobo River View. Nicole learned Violin from him. Her father Gerald Lobo is also a Musician with a certain amount of proficiency. Abreo family is familiar with many other musical instruments. The family cherishes their connection with Mangaluru. This city is, in fact, the most appreciable among the Global Cities in the world. The Indian philosophy of Unity in Diversity is largely practised at Mangaluru. People are loving and caring for others. Nature is beautiful and has abundance everywhere. The Abreo family will surely inspire a large number of people all across the world to visit this coastal city. Like Kerala has become popular with the punchline of ‘God’s own Country’, the city of Mangaluru may need to promote themes like ‘The largest Global City in the World’.
Prior to the formal concert and violin recital by the Abreo Kids, the Music Band named “Sol-Melos” comprising of Conrad Mascarenhas (Bass guitar); Dr Mariodoss (Keyboard); Arun Shiri (Cajon and Trumpet); Prajwal Fronteiro (Trumpet); Lazane D’Souza (Box guitar) and Neil Rasquinha (Vocal and Cajon) took the crowd into a musical world with their popular Konkani,English, Tulu and Kannada folk songs. The program began at 4 pm sharp with a prayer song by Sisters. After a brief introduction of the Abreo Family by the compere Zeena Mendonca, it was time for the Abreononet to give their best performance- With their violins under their chins, they gave the open-mouthed audience a 20-minute rendition of solos, duets and medleys. The musical performance, rendered with rare precision, was composed by Michael for which he selected sections of each sibling’s recital pieces and put it into a medley. Musical tunes namely “Jimmy Fiddles a Tune”; “Two Grenadiers/ Witches Dance”; “Donkey Doodle”; “Puppet Show”; “Seitz”; “Irish Canon” and “Pirates of the Caribbean“ were performed by the Abreo nonet, which received thunderous applaud from the audience.
The Chief Guest for the programme, Ms Cecilia Albuquerque (managing a 150-year-old Tile business- A Albuquerque and Sons in Mangaluru) addressing the gathering said, “I really compliment the talented nine Abreo kids who gave us a superb violin performance. Just like their parents, these kids have followed in their parent’s footsteps to be great musicians. Without music, life would be a mistake. Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones. I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music. Without music, life would be a blank to us. Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.Music is the strongest form of magic. Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. I also compliment the Abreo parents for raising their kids with musical talents. We should also follow in the footsteps of this family – having a family with many kids is always fun. It’s always a blessing when we have many kids in the house”.
The entire Abreo family was honoured with floral garlands by few inmates of the Little Sisters of the Poor; and also by a few other guests namely- Sr Josephine, Mother Superior of The Little Sisters of the Poor; Fr Valerian D’Souza- Parish Priest, Milagres Church; Sr OOlivia AC-Former Principal of St Agnes College, Mangaluru; Sr Ancilla Pinto- Mother Superior of St Anjela’s Convent, Bejai, Mangaluru; Dr S A Mariaodoss- Prof. of Maths and Physics; Dr Michael Lobo- a Genealogist; among many others. Dr Gerard and his wife Nicole were garlanded by the Superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Speaking to the gathering Dr Gerard Abreo said in a lighter side of vein that, as a cardiologist, I can see that these elderly people have a ‘big heart’ for how caring and loving they are. Quoting Mother Teresa Dr Abreo said, “In this world loneliness is the biggest disease, and there is no healing for that disease. But the Little Sisters of the Poor have healed many people by taking care of them. We can see the emotional healing, physical healing and mental healing of the inmates and we can see the real healing of these lonely people who gathered here in large numbers. We always like to come back to Mangaluru and perform for these older folks, and I promise I will be back again. Thanks for your patronage and making my family happy with your presence”.
The birthday of Nicole was also celebrated by offering her a memento and flowers. FM Lobo, the Uncle of Nicole Abreo and the host of the event, while proposing the vote of thanks called the audience to see the presence of God in the lives of poor and downtrodden. “Little Sisters of the poor who serve the downtrodden and less fortunate people without any discrimination of caste and creed, are an inspiration for us. They dedicated their life for the poor and the less fortunate people,” he said and also congratulated the Abreo family for their dedication and love towards the poor, and also for coming to Mangaluru quite often and entertain the seniors at the old-age home at Bajjodi.
In conclusion, “Music is like a river, it starts somewhere and reaches somewhere and in the course, it will touch the hearts of millions of people. It is like a religion so piously regarded, followed and practised..”- is an anonymous saying. The violin performance by these kids simply touched the hearts of the inmates of the Old-age home and also those who came in large numbers to witness the violin concert. Now we know that Abreo Music flows from Heaven to every soul in their vicinity, it touches everyone in the same frequency and it brings everyone in a common thread called humanity. The Abreo family say that they feel like one family as they behave one with everyone..beholding the beauty of love and affection for entire mankind. Team Mangalorean feels proud to be associated with the Abreo family and give wide coverage of their performances now and in the future too. Long live the Abreo family!
Excellent Write Up, Alfie! Keep up the good work.
Wonderful and a memorising performance by the Abreo kids. Great show indeed. Everyone were filled with music listening to them. Feel delighted to witness the event live, and also perform with my group “Sol-Melos” prior to the program for the inmates as well as the guests. We band members are blessed to be a part of the event. Thank You Uncle F.M.Lobo for the opportunity.
My son plays Electric & double Bass. He has brought the latter from his school & practicing at home during his summer break. May be we would have formed a Mangalorean choir group here if we were in same city/state.
hats off to the lady for delivering 9 kids in these times. seem to be adding to the family every 2 years ?
It is a model family to be emulated by others. Dr.Gerard Abreo message was very inspiring. He has up-held the christian values and what we can do to bring happiness to our lives. Wish the Abreo family all success in their future endeavour.
The Abreo family is really unique in all respects. Mrs. Nicole has been a model mother to her nine children. Pleased to know that she is managing her house and training her children in playing Violin & Piano without any domestic help. I was thrilled & excited to see the beautiful performance at the Little Sisters of the Poor – Elderly Home, Bajjodi.