Thursday, October 17, 2013
Stephen Fry Hosts “The Science of Opera,” a Discussion of How Music Moves Us Physically to Tears
Open Culture:
Stephen Fry Hosts “The Science of Opera,” a Discussion of How Music Moves Us Physically to Tears
in Music, Science | October 8th, 2013 4 Comments
I vividly recall my first opera. It was The Marriage of Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. A friend bought two family circle tickets—nosebleed seats—and insisted that I come along. She was a trained opera singer and aficionado. I was an unlearned neophyte. Most of my expectations were fulfilled: the enormously impressive space, plenty of bombast, intricately designed sets and costuming. And it was long. Very long. But not, as I had feared, boring. Not at all. I had not expected, in fact, to be so physically moved by the performances, and not only moved to basic emotions—I was moved deep in my gut. There’s no way I could adequately explain it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I'm glad that people are finally really paying attention to the physical effects of art and music. I think it is so interesting that music moves us in ways that other art forms just don't. I love what Stephen Fry said at the end about watching an opera actually being a bit of a workout because of the way it exercises the heart and the brain, not to mention the emotions and the emotional aftermath. People always talk about how art is so emotional and how their emotions were so touched by watching a show or seeing a painting but I love when people make comments about something being physically exhausting to watch because of how it plays with the audience.
I agree with Mariah on this, I think it is brilliant that the effects of music and art are being so closely looked at. I find it amazing that whenever I go to a musical I am physically moved. I feel it in my gut, my mind, my heart, and can't help but wonder how music does this to me. Music is something that transcends time and is so powerful it can make someone feel every emotion possible and it is great that someone such as Stephen Fry has taken the time to truly understand and explain what it is that does this to us.
"music is different from all the other arts.” For example, ninety percent of people surveyed admit to being moved to tears by a piece of music. Only five to ten percent say the same about painting or sculpture."
That is so true, I can cry from hearing music or seeing dance but I would never cry from an art piece. I think that this is such an interesting topic for study.
I think that I am going to learn neuro-science with cognitive and psychology. This could definate be a topic i'd be interned in.
Post a Comment