Changing his tune for a dream

The visa application was accepted, and Montealegre officially launched his endeavor early this year with the company named Shanghai M Orchestra.

However, hurdles still loomed.

With a starting capital of zero, he had to repeatedly muster self-belief. "I think the most difficult thing is to keep the belief that you can make it possible because there are so many people who will tell you it's impossible," he says.

Through relentless networking and pitching to investors and sponsors, he gradually built support and financial backing for his fledgling orchestra. And, according to Yang Xuan, his girlfriend and a key member of the company, "Montealegre is also building up his team. We have a composer, Kamel, from Algeria, and two Malaysian women who help find orchestra members and recording".

With a core orchestra finally assembled from students from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Montealegre confronted the responsibility of his leadership role, as he found he had to manage every detail — from staff members to equipment — while maintaining the standard of conducting.

"From the start of rehearsals until the end, I'm not anyone's friend," he asserts, adding that he focuses on every detail because he's always aiming for high standards.

However, he is keen to strike the right balance. "These musicians aren't machines," he says. "I don't want anyone suffering through rehearsals. They chose the music life because they love to play. I want people to enjoy each rehearsal."

It's an approach rooted in his belief about music's transcendent power to emotionally uplift audiences. "Music is the language of the soul," he proclaims. "If we play from the heart, people can feel a range of emotions."