Brain Thing: Unexpected Love for Opera
I never intended to love opera. It felt pretentious and fake. That started to change when I let myself NOT like it, even though many people I know like it, or so they say…
Deep inside I just needed to be honest. I said to myself: “I don’t care who likes this screaming, I do not.”
Then, in supporting friends by attending their shows, I started to view this singing as primal, as in a primal cathartic scream. It’s almost pure emotion. I imagine it communicating directly with the “right brain.” That allows us to feel and understand the story shared even if we don’t understand the words — usually in Italian or some other language.
Over time, I have come to appreciate so many parts of this musical culture, like the civility and fun of dressing up, being in a beautiful theater for an evening, and mostly, relearning that real human tragedy has been with us for centuries.
We are assured at a visceral level that we are not alone in confronting the unthinkable like war and losing loved ones, and that we are capable of intense emotions like jealousy, rage, and even courage. We can face tragedy as people have done for centuries before us and also find beauty in it.
I recently saw “AIDA” at Chicago’s Lyric Opera, it’s epic. Even if opera isn’t your favorite musical genre, it’s a spectacular show. AIDA features love, war, dancers, beautiful sets, and lots of “over-the-top” soprano moments. ‘An amazing spectacle well worth seeing, perhaps challenging your own opinions, and your brain may just thank you for it. ❤️
#neuroart #neuroarts #brain #opera #tragedy #love #beauty #primalscream #courage #war
