High Art

Even theatre professionals—people trained to treat emotion as part of the job—can be overwhelmed by real artistry.

A striking example came in Rome with Gaspare Pacchierotti, a celebrated singer of the last century. In one opera he sang with such beauty of tone and such genuine feeling that, after a solo passage that should have led into a short orchestral interlude, the orchestra simply forgot to play.

Pacchierotti turned to the conductor: “What are you about?”

The leader blinked as if waking from a dream and could only answer, “Pray forgive me.” The musicians sat there with tears in their eyes, completely oblivious to their duties.