At 13, Arista started learning to play the keyboard, transitioning to the piano and the viola, eventually joining a student orchestra. The feeling of family appealed to him and he found his calling in being a conductor. "I also studied history in Argentina, so I had a very strong cultural and social background. I thought being a conductor would also help me discover the culture, philosophy, aesthetics and language of other cities," he shares.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

Arista, 44, has acquired a reputation for being his energetic self as a conductor, breaking into an occasional dance when the music calls for it. This, he feels, is often misunderstood as dance in response to what the orchestra is performing when in fact, it's the opposite. He is creating the music along with the orchestra. He adds, "I am conveying the tempo and articulation. If I perform melancholic music, I will conduct it in a soft, quiet way. If it is implied that the tune is a cry for something, I will show this crying. If it's Latin American [music], I will dance to show them the energy. It's like being a cook. You cannot use the ingredients of a chicken biryani to prep for risotto or paella."

So, Arista doesn't call himself the dancing conductor although he certainly will encourage the audience at today's concert to break a leg. "If I want the orchestra to play dance music, I must make the audience feel that. I must conduct for the feet of the people, to make them say, 'I want to wake up and dance'."

On Today, 6.30 pm onwards
At Sophia Bhabha Auditorium, Breach Candy, Cumballa Hill.
Log on to bookmyshow.in
Cost Rs 300 onwards

Arista at the rehearsal with Nicolas Koeckert (in blue)

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates