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Canadian opera singer Wallis Giunta recently treated opera fans to a surprising performance. Dressed in an elegant gown, the mezzo-soprano came on stage with an unusual stage partner: the baby boy of her accompanying violist, Marina Thibeault.
Before beginning her performance, Giunta explained to the audience that the little boy, Lucien, had just woken up from his nap. Along with his mother, the singer decided to test out the effectiveness of a Brahms lullaby she was due to sing on the young child, as reported by Live Action.
“It’s a song sung by Mary to the angels on the night of Jesus’ birth. She’s asking them to still the wind and quiet the leaves rustling in the trees so that her baby can sleep. Lucien was backstage having a little nap, so we thought that maybe he could join us for this song,” Giunta shared with the audience.
So with the voice of an angel the singer began the sweet lullaby with Lucien attentively listening. The baby didn’t make a noise during the performance and seemed to be transfixed by his mother playing close by. Giunta, however, managed an incredibly powerful performance while juggling the babe in arms for several minutes.
What was truly beautiful about the performance was not just the exquisite lullaby, but how it made opera feel even more accessible: allowing a working mom to bring her baby to the office — well, the opera house in this case! And, of course, kudos to Giunta, who not only managed to give a stirring rendition holding a baby, but also kept him calm when his mom was just a few yards away.
The event sums up the beauty of motherhood in so many ways. Yet perhaps the one thing it shows most is that over the centuries the one thing every mother wants is for her baby is to have a peaceful sleep!
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And today we celebrate...