Rio’s trumpet-playing firefighter lifts spirits while reaching heights

A Rio de Janeiro firefighter has developed a novel method of treating coronavirus-induced depression, which involves climbing onto the extendable ladder of a fire truck and playing a trumpet from a high place.

Elielson Silva’s performances at heights of up to 200 feet take place throughout the city, breaking the monotony of Rio residents who live in isolation and watch the performances from their windows, clapping enthusiastically.

This includes popular tourist spots that are now worryingly empty – such as Copacabana Beach or the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain – and working-class communities.

Mr. Silva plays pieces known throughout Brazil, but especially those composed in Rio and about Rio.

Harking back to an era that was more carefree, his songs tug at the heartstrings: “Watercolour Of Brazil”, “Samba Of The Plane”, “Marvellous City” and “I Know I’m Going To Love You”.

The 18-year veteran of the city fire department said: “Everyone is suffering due to the pandemic, and I am trying to raise the morale of the people of Rio so that all these difficulties are less during these times we are going through.

“For me as a musician and for the whole band, as a group, it meant a lot that I could give these people a little bit of music, a little bit of air.”

He played in three different neighborhoods on Sunday, always wearing a heavy, flame-resistant jacket and a firefighter’s helmet, even though temperatures topped 80°F (26.6°C).

Evokes shouts of joy and enthusiastic applause.

“Listening to all this music brings back the feeling of being in Rio, of being together,” said Renata Versiani, standing on a windowsill where she watched Mr. Silva play with her husband and their young daughter.

“Initiatives like this remind us of who we are as a community. It’s a blessing to have a surprise like that.”

Mrs. Versiani knows the emotional value of such gestures.

She is a psychologist whose family, she says, has “given in” to calls to stay at home.

Rio firefighters were on the front lines of the state government’s initial campaign to raise awareness of the need to isolate people and help stop the spread of the virus.

They patrolled the city’s legendary beaches, played recordings encouraging beachgoers to return home and chatted with people walking the streets.

Since the governor of Rio de Janeiro introduced restrictive measures, firefighters have often waved people away from the beaches.

Brazil is in the midst of a fierce battle over the effectiveness of its lockdown, with President Jair Bolsonaro downplaying the severity of the virus situation and publicly criticizing governors who are imposing lockdowns that he says could paralyze the economy.

His public meetings with supporters contradict the instructions of international health authorities and his own Ministry of Health.

Brazilians seem to be more sensitive to expert opinions.

A survey conducted by Datafolha in early April showed that 76% of Brazilians surveyed support social isolation.

Mr. Silva is trying to make social distancing seem a little less distant.

In Rio’s Flamengo district, the sun glinted off his trumpet as he played his final songs – the Brazilian national anthem, followed by Alleluia.

The people around him began to clap, raising their hands above their heads as his ladder began to telescope down.

“Congratulations to these heroes,” Mr. Silva said, pointing to the firefighters on the ground.

He then placed his hands on his heart and made a modest bow.