Netflix’s latest series Wednesday has smashed the streaming service’s viewing hours records. The new series surpasses Stranger Things and the Crown for the top spot.
The eight-part series is based on the Addams family’s troubled daughter, Wednesday, played by Jenna Ortega.
Her character is seen playing cello fairly convincingly in several scenes.
In one of the episodes, Wednesday practises a cello version of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black” on the balcony of her university dorm room. Later, Wednesday performs Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop” with the school band, and the third movement of “Winter” from Vivaldi’s iconic Four Seasons. In the 6th episode, Wednesday is seen practicing “Cello Concerto in E minor” by Elgar.
Is Ortega playing, or is she faking?
According to an interview with Wired, Ortega said she plays the cello in all her scenes behind the instrument. The actor took cello lessons twice a week for two months before filming began.
“I probably couldn’t play too well now,” she said. “It is something that I want to continue to pursue. I have immense respect for anybody who plays the cello. I think it’s such a delightful instrument”.
While she does a remarkably convincing job of miming along to the cello tracks, it is safe to say her cello performances aren’t the ones heard on the series’ soundtrack.
Who knows. Maybe this series will inspire the next Jacqueline du Pré.
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