My Photo

About this blog

  • Eye Prefer Paris is an ex-New Yorker's insider's guide to Paris. Richard Nahem writes his blog from his fabulous 18th century apartment in the fashionable Marais district of Paris

Let's Be Social

  • Paris city breaks

« Belge Side Story | Main | It Might as Well Be Spring »

January 22, 2008

Comments

Oriole

Though there still might be some rogue musicians, since 1996 the RATP(French public travel authority) decreed that for musicians to be allowed to perform in the corridors and halls of Metro stations, but not on platforms or in cars, they must obtain a badge issued by the RATP to protect them from police harassment. The result being that musicians must audition before Metro officials to compete for the limited number of badges (250 originally, and about 2/3 goes to non-french musicians). Every 6 months, a new audition is required. Its a great way for professional musicians and conservatory students to make money AND get free rehersal space without the neighbors complaining of noise!



Maria Ruiz

Listening to street musicians I feel is one of the most sublime experiences I've had in Paris. I recall a particular female singing outside Deux Magots, it was amazing to be walking around and getting a free concert at the same time.

JWiecking

I'm sorry, most of the Metro musicians--in the trains at least, not in the stations like Concorde--I can remember have been real pains for anybody who has a musical education. But those are lovely photos.

Scooter

The street musicians are one of my best memories of Paris. On my first visit, on the first day, dirty and tired (delayed flights and lost luggage) my husband and I were sitting in the drizzle in Place des Vosges when I heard a string orchestra playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons (Spring). Fatigue and dirty clothes didn't matter. I was in Paris and it was perfect.

Jaybird

I'm not too familiar with the street scene in Paris, but NYC is alive and well. This article is a pretty good look at global street performing.
http://musicnation.musicnation.com/blog/2008/02/street-musicians-part-ii

Jaybird

I'm not too familiar with the street scene in Paris, but NYC is alive and well. This article is a pretty good look at global street performing.
http://musicnation.musicnation.com/blog/2008/02/street-musicians-part-ii

The comments to this entry are closed.

  • SUBSTACK

Categories