The title of this segment refers to a condition affecting Rodrigo's hearing. He is having incredible pain in his ear and is not able to absorb certain sounds. It is suicide for a conductor. The symphony is ready to perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, being directed by that awful guy that appeared earlier in the season. He actually has a treble clef shaved into the side of his head. He is a tyrant, abusing the members of the orchestra, many of whom are the veterans. Rodrigo comes along and fires him. He takes over the rehearsal. He conducts because the orchestra knows the symphony so well, they do it without his skilled conducting. Rodrigo realizes that there is a threat to the existence of the orchestra so he decides to step down if their demands are met. Meanwhile, there are dirty tricks being done on both sides.
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