Coronavirus shatters dreams of Brazil violinist

Sitting on a bench in Ipanema Beach, Maurício Vivet adds music with his violin to the sound of crashing waves. Some beach goers stop to listen to Vivet's performance and sometimes toss some change in his violin case in appreciation. The streets of Rio de Janeiro have once again become the stage for the arts teacher and violinist since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Brazil last year.

Vivet started playing the classical instrument when he was 9 years old, introduced to music through a social project in his community Dona Marta Favela. As a teenager, Vivet started playing in the streets to earn some money. Classical is a rare form of music in the favelas, where Samba and Brazilian Funk are far more common, with some others drawn to drugs, and the easy money and lifestyle that comes with them.

Through street performance, the violinist got a scholarship to one of the most prestigious Brazilian Music Schools, Villa Lobos. After finishing the course at the music school, Vivet, who also plays other instruments and dances, had managed to make music his main source of income, playing in events, shows, and  teaching. The income allowed him to move out of Dona Marta Favela and even begin planning a music studio for his art classes. It all vanished in a blink of an eye when COVID-19 raged through Brazil last year.

Concerts, weddings and all sorts of events were cancelled. Vivet saw 2020, a promising year in his career, melt into uncertainty and hopelessness. He had to cancel his studio plans, leave the apartment he had rented and go back to his mother's house in the favela. After a period of desperation, Vivet decided to go back to where it all started. Street performance was not prohibited, and grocery stores always had people coming in and out, so he started playing once again in the streets of Rio.

"It is the only stage that I have, the only thing that they (authorities) have not prohibited," he said.

Even though the distance from Dona Marta to the spots Vivet usually plays are far, especially carrying a big speaker and his violin, he says he always walks to save money. "A roundtrip by bus would cost the same as a breakfast for my son, so I always have to think about that," he said. Not having money to provide for his son, 4-year-old is Vivet's biggest fear.

Events and music concerts are still far off as Brazil is experiencing another surge of COVID-19 cases. The country suffered its biggest one-day death toll on Wednesday, with 1,910 victims since the beginning of the pandemic last year. In Rio de Janeiro, mayor Eduardo Paes signed a decree that prohibits restaurants and bars to serve clients on site after 5 p.m. and a curfew from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., a preventive measure as 17 of 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia imposed some form of restriction starting in late February to deal with the surge in cases.