An opera written for/by and performed by PWP!

[Smokeypurple]

Hi all

I'm posting this as a bit of light relief. If you like this kind of thing I think it might be therapeutic and empowering to watch it - for enjoyment, like I've seen art or poetry by PWP posted here before.

Here in the UK singing for Parkinson's is becoming a bigger and bigger thing. My local hospital runs a Parkinson's choir for example. We exercise our vocal chords etc and benefit from the uplifting nature of music and singing in community.

Before Covid, our choir leader and some colleagues decided to put together an opera written for and performed by people with Parkinson's. It consisted of workshops (which went online during the lockdown periods) to develop the music and artwork etc, in four different areas of the country culminating in movement workshops and a bit of filming in each area towards the end of 2022 - the result of which was put together in this film starring a magnificent 85 PWP.

One of the reasons I'm sharing this personally is because of the joy which taking part gave me. Having Parkinson's is often a bit of a slog as we motivate ourselves to exercise, make sure we eat healthily, juggle medication etc. These days were a little window where it didn't matter if we couldn't move like we used to, or sing like we want to, or look like we'd rather. Although always a bit confronting to see oneself on film I think the result is rather beautiful and moving. My personal favourite bits are the convicts in their dark clothes and the court scene.

The story is a true one, of a woman called Margaret Catchpole - who lived in the late 1700s and followed her no good love interest to London on a stolen horse. She escaped the death penalty due to testimony of good character and instead was deported to Australia. She wrote letters back to her mistress in London which are a rare record of such experiences.

Make a cup of tea, sit down for half an hour and have a mid morning break celebrating what people with Parkinson's can do, and then if anything similar crosses your path say yes!

As a group we want to put it out there to empower PWP and raise awareness. It's been to the Barcelona World Parkinson’s Congress, next stop who knows 😉! Maybe a similar project with groups from different countries…

Big love to you all and big thanks to Dr Amy Mallet, Nicola Wydenbach and the team for creating it and giving us the opportunity.

Opera here

vimeo.com/814907497

Wikipedia here

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar....

Organisation here

coherearts.org/home/project...

If the links don't work I'll find another way.

[Bolt_Upright]

It sounds great! And nice video also.

[MBAnderson]

Nice break. Very enjoyable, indeed.

Kudos to you Ms. Purple.

[Zella23]

Thanks so much for your post. We haven’t had a chance to look yet but we will do. How amazing are the Arts for helping manage life with PD. As you say bringing joy into your life is what’s so important to escape from the norm and look for these ‘golden moments’ in our lives where we can just be ourselves.

My HWP escapes into drawing and poetry, another art form! It’s held many ‘golden moments’ for him in recent years.

[pdpatient]

Amazing and wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

[Gymsack]

I watched it until the ship sailed and tears came streaming down my face and I could not watch more, I will keep trying and I will watch it to the end eventually. Thank you

[Smokeypurple]

I'm so glad it is adding a little teaspoon of joy to the world (amid the tears!)

[Zella23]

I ve just watched it having my afternoon cuppa! It was amazing, poignant sad but moving. Fabulously sung and dramatised. I also liked the courthouse scene and the female singers and actresses from the scene in the cornfield. I spotted Paul Mayhew-Archer in various scenes, as well as yourself. Brilliant 🤩

[Smokeypurple]

Glad you enjoyed ☺️