Music as Therapy – O Mio Babbino Caro

There is scientific evidence that music can help to ease the symptoms of depression – https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080122203158.html. With this in mind, we invite you to take time out from your busy schedule, relax momentarily and listen to our “Inspiring Music Selection for Today”, personally selected for you by our President, Karl.

Today’s selection is O Mio Babbino Caro (Oh My Dear Papa). According to Karl: “This masterpiece is a soprano aria from a 1918 opera by Giacomo Puccini. Tensions between Lauretta’s father Gianni Schicchi and the family of Rinuccio, the boy she loves, have reached a breaking point. The family feud threatens to destroy the planned wedding of Lauretta and Rinuccio. Lauretta sings a tearful and desperate plea to her father to end the feud and accept Rinuccio, or she will commit suicide by throwing herself off the Ponte Vecchio, the arch bridge over the Arno River [in Florence, Italy]. The theme of love in this aria is in sharp contrast with the atmosphere of hypocrisy, jealousy, double-dealing, and feuding in medieval Florence.”

Karl invites you to a vicarious experience of European civilization at its best through Amira Willighagen’s angelic interpretation of this beautiful melody that drove the audience to tears.

According to Karl: “Here is a beautiful instrumental rendition of La Paloma…a nostalgic version that will transport you back to the halcyon days of your youth…when your life was carefree and exciting…and you embarked on a journey full of dreams and promise…envisioning the world as it should be rather than as it is. Re-living the past through the power of memory and imagination.”