Atlanta Opera delivering singing telegrams

Jonathan Bryan, baritone, and member of the Atlanta Opera Studio Artists, records a "singing telegram." The opera is sending these pre-recorded serenades to help cheer up health care workers and shut-ins. CONTRIBUTED: ATLANTA OPERA

Jonathan Bryan, baritone, and member of the Atlanta Opera Studio Artists, records a "singing telegram." The opera is sending these pre-recorded serenades to help cheer up health care workers and shut-ins. CONTRIBUTED: ATLANTA OPERA

Nothing lifts the spirits like music.

To cheer up health care workers and shut-ins during this pandemic, artists with the Atlanta Opera are delivering  “singing telegrams” -- spirit-lifting selections from the classic repertoire and the American songbook.

Studio Artists at the opera are using cell phones and other devices to film themselves singing or playing piano and they’re sharing the videos with senior living communities and hospitals.

Avaro Corral Matute of the Atlanta Opera records music for one of the opera's "singing telegrams," which they are sending to shut-ins, vulnerable populations and health-care workers. CONTRIBUTED: ATLANTA OPERA

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The singers have already tested the program by sending telegrams to the residents of Lenbrook Independent Senior Living in Buckhead.

They also plan to sing for the doctors, nurses and staff at Grady Hospital.

The tunes will be played on public address systems at the hospital and the senior living center, said opera spokesperson Laura Lucas.

The opera, which has had to postpone two productions, including "Madame Butterfly," in the 2019-2020 season due to the coronavirus outbreak, has been looking for ways to assist in the fight against COVID-19.

Atlanta Opera is offering singing telegrams.

The opera’s costume shop, along with costume shops at the Alliance Theatre and the Atlanta Ballet, are all busy fashioning mask-covers for the N95 face masks, as well as hospital gowns, to be used at health care facilities.

“We are continuously amazed at the outpouring of kindness for our staff,” Lindsay Caulfield of Grady Health System told the opera, expressing appreciation for the gesture.