Mangalore: Sound of Music Resonates Through Abreo Family

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Aug 22: Musicians from Mangalore may be many, but not so music families, especially ones where even a four-year-old can play the violin like a wizard.

The Abreo family is one such. The family visits the motherland on vacation very often, and this time, spent some time at Little Sisters of the Poor, Bajjodi here.

Dr Gerald Abreo, hailing from Mangalore, is a cardiac surgeon in Texas and has settled in US with his wife Nicole and eight children. Except for John Paul (2) and Luke Walter (6 months), all their kids - Michael Joseph (13), Daniel Francis (12), Christine Marie (11), Maria Therese (9), Jane Elizabeth (6) and Rachel Ann (4), have already imbibed music and play the violin with elan.

All of them entertained the gathering at Little Sisters of the Poor with their tremendous talents, much to the delight of the inmates.

Dr Gerald studied in St Aloysius College and completed his graduation from John’s Medical College in Bangalore. He was a cricketer in college days and has played with great players like G R Vishwanath, Roger Binny, Brijesh Patel and many others. But ultimately, he gave up a sporting career to become a cardiac surgeon.

Gerald was also a drummer during his college days. He says it was just a hobby which he developed as a stress-buster while stuyding.

When asked how their children developed interest in music, he said, "My wife is a graduate in music. She wanted her children to learn music at a young age and thus, all children play the violin."

Maria, all of just 9, said that she learnt violin because her brother used to play the instrument.

Gerald said that the family has staged various performances especially in convents and orphanage homes. He often visits Mangalore mainly to show children the values of his homeland, he said.

No doubt, for Abreo family music runs in their blood.