Goosebumps and wrong first impressions

I came across this video yesterday, and I've watched it a couple of times, and it still gives me goosebumps. I think it's the synergy between the spontaneous cheering and applause from the crowd and the amazing voice that comes out of someone so unexpected. I wonder if the people even know why and how they're cheering? Or just that they feel something and need to let it out the only way they know how.

Watch the looks exchanged by Simon, Amanda, and Piers at the beginning. There's certainly an "Oh boy, what kind of aural assault is this jackass going to subject us to?" when Paul says he's there to sing opera. Observe later when they realize they're guilty of judging someone based on their looks.

Even the unwashed Philistines in the audience can tell they've seen something extraordinary. Something magical. Even now after repeated viewings, the look on Amanda's face is how I feel inside as the crowd and Paul reach their thunderous crescendo together. Confused, surprised, moved, awed. Watching this ordinary, non-professional get up on stage — bad teeth and all — and belt out something that sounds like THAT. Just, wow. Magnificent.

I'm an unabashed opera lover, and I greatly enjoy artists who sing operatic music. (Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Sarah Brightman) I've waxed verbose about my love for the libretto "Vide Cor Meum" on my personal blog. In my opinion, Paul's performance here is how Opera SHOULD be, a dynamic interaction between the crowd and the players. None of this hush-hush, stuffed-shirt, pompous-ass bologna we have today. We should feel free to cheer and applaud when something moves us regardless of the environment.

I was shocked to discover that people apparently enjoy opera after reading the comments on this video. What people don't like is the attitude and stigma associated with the genre.

[tags]Opera, Paul Potts, Britain's Got Talent[/tags]