Anxious? Stressed? A unique art project sends singers to people’s homes to ease their worries. Would an intimate performance help our writer deal with his fears about impending fatherhood?The soprano reaches a dramatic climax,demonstrating impressive lung power as she sustains the dizzying peak note, before bringing Quando me’n’ vo’ to its close. It is a powerful, and emotionally draining performance,and one that seems to resonate around the room for some time after she has finished. Which is why I acquire up off the sofa and interrogate her whether she would like a cup of tea.
This, as you might have guessed, and is not your typical night at the opera – and not only because it’s only just gone 11am. It is called Opera Helps,and is a project dreamed up by the artist Joshua Sofaer. The gist is this: contact the Opera Helps phoneline with a personal problem, and they will endeavour to send a singer to your house. Said singer will briefly discuss the issue with you, and select a suitable aria that addresses it,then perform it for you while you relax in familiar surroundings: on a comfortable chair, for instance, or even in bed.
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Source: theguardian.com