Violin femme

It’s half past 11 at Dusit Thani hotel and American violinist Lucia Micarelli is sitting in the lobby lounge ordering a glass of bubbly chardonnay and a healthy mozzarella cheese snack. Laid-back and friendly, with a croaky morning voice, she is dressed in black leggings, knee-high Prada boots, and a faded gray T-shirt with a cross clutch bag. Armed with great skin, her beauty secrets include smoking, drinking and partying. Plus, she uses Mario Badescu Drying Lotion for occasional zit pop-ups.

From partying the night before with The Dawn and a few members of Wally Gonzalez band after the “Fiesta Ng Musikang Pilipino,” it is Lucia’s third time in Manila (the first was the Josh Groban concert and then a Valentine’s show at Embassy) and will surely come back for more shows in the future.

Dig this, Lucia is the product of the Julliard School for classical training but eventually left to pursue her dreams at the Manhattan School of Music. At this point in her life, she has learned to love non-classical genres like rock and jazz.

Perhaps this is why she has toured with both Josh Groban and Jethro Tull. Lucia exudes an intense and solemn vibe while playing the violin with her bow à la Jimmy Page in Dazed and Confused.

Even Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull has glowing praise for her. Anderson once said, “Lucia Micarelli is a rare find in today’s world of plastic divas and tinsel waifs. She speaks with surprising maturity and authority, touching upon classic rock, Eastern and Asian styling, gypsy and Irish folk — all built on the firm foundation of her lengthy classical training and the violin repertoire of the great composers. Faultless intonation and rhythmic confidence mark her work. Improvisation skills — the blackest of arts to many purist classical musicians — allow her to soar to far headier heights than most.”

Oh, and her “Music from a Farther Room” album has tunes like My Funny Valentine, David Bowie’s Lady Grinning Soul and Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody.

And the great thing about this fiddler is that she is able to transmit her passionate feelings — a mix of love and light to classical and rock energies in order to blow away audiences — such as when she’s playing Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir.

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: You started playing the violin at the age of three. What attracted you to the instrument?

LUCIA MICARELLI: My mom made me do it. I took piano and dance lessons but I wasn’t good at both. I don’t remember when I didn’t know how to play the violin. But I think that the violin is very human and it’s very emotional.

The violin is very difficult to play and sometimes it seems part of a male-dominated environment. How do you feel about that?

It is not easy being a girl doing things that are traditionally male. I love the challenge of doing things that are masculine. I think men and women are equal. But we can bring a set of strengths like female instincts and the natural emotional core that aren’t traditionally men’s strengths.

Are you comfortable with your level of fame or do you want more?

I am very emotional and vulnerable most of the time. The thing I don’t like about fame and attention is that it makes me feel the need to put up walls because people tend to overstep boundaries sometimes. I’ve seen that with my famous friends and that is bothersome. It is very isolating and empty.

What is it like to play for different artists like Josh Groban and Jethro Tull who are poles apart?

Obviously it’s been amazing. I have been so lucky to play with musicians who elevated my career. It also has been a learning experience. Having the support of those artists and being surrounded by them helped speed up my growth.

When you want to find inspiration, what do you do?

I go to New York and I walk around. It’s the most inspiring city for me because it helps me recharge creatively.

What is it about the violin that makes your pieces unique?

I just try to be honest and stay emotionally connected with the music.

What are your favorite songs that you never get sick of playing?

Korngold’s Violin Concerto. Craig Gailbraith String Quartet. I like to play a lot of jazz standards. I love doing guitar solos. I even have a picture of Slash in my violin case.

What was your childhood dream?

I’ve always wanted to be a rock guitar god like Jimmy Page but I am a woman. There is something about these male rock stars, like they are hot and talented. They also have this arrogance that is charming. I hate arrogance but that makes them charming and that drives me crazy.

Who are your favorite rock stars?

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd is really amazing. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. David Bowie. I met Slash for two seconds in an elevator.

Who do you want to work with in the future?

I would like to work with Björk and Sting.

How is it playing for our local guitar hero Wally Gonzales?

He is the best. He is such a sweet guy. He’s such a great guitar player because he’s just so relaxed. I adore him. He is crazy talented and humble. I’ve never seen him with attitude and that’s what makes him a very cool guy.

What is it about the Philippines that you love about and keep returning to?

It is a very supportive place for me. Everyone is so welcoming and open. What I do is not the most mainstream thing and most likely to be appreciated. I keep coming back because the people are great and I keep getting asked to come back. It’s really exciting and rare to have an audience that is open-minded enough to accept me playing in different genres like with Josh Groban, a club show and with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra.

What is one thing that most people don’t know about Lucia?

I am really soft. My best friend calls me Goo Goo because I am really emotional and I feel a lot. I am very domestic and like to be with nature. I love being at home. I love dogs and babies. I take pictures. I want to be surrounded with people that I love and try to enjoy life as much as possible.

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For more information on Lucia Micarelli, log on to www.luciamicarelli.com or visit www.myspace.com/luciamicarelli.

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E-mail love-hate whatever things to becca_rodriguez@yahoo.com.