So what is OperaAid?

Welcome to the home of The Tiny Soprano. As many of you will already know, I am only 5 feet tall. But the operatic stage can often be very generous to those of us who are not vertically-blessed, and very often at stage door people would say “My…you didn’t look quite this little from the audience.” That is, of course, unless you are singing while standing next to a 6′5″ baritone, in which case there is simply no escaping the fact that you are, indeed, really, really short.

Now being tiny as a light lyric soprano has many advantages. One can be cute, petite, charming, and rather yummy in a kind of sexy-but-only-in-an-operatic kind of way. And there is never the embarrassment of being taller than your leading man. (For those of you who are not familiar with the physique of the traditional operatic tenor, they tend to stand on the tiny side of the fence as well.)

There is however a downside. Being taken seriously as a “diva” is never really possible.

As the renowned music exec and the great Pavarotti’s old manager Herbert Breslin once declared, “Big, big, big things don’t happen to little Despina!"

He was referring at the time to Cecilia Bartoli, another tiny opera singer, who has forged a massive international career singing what most consider “small-voiced” roles. And yet there she is, striding across the operatic stage, breasts heaving, sweeping away everything in her path as she takes over the world.

The Tiny Soprano, my operatic amici, is going to help us all to do exactly the same thing.

Yes, even those burly baritones among you will be free to heave and swing a breast or two in the name of changing the world (as we all know there are many man-boobs hidden away under those flattering costumes).

For far too long, opera singers have slaved away in the pubs, bars and green rooms of the world, as pint follows pint follows pint, safe in the knowledge that the only thing to fear of the new morning would be a hangover, or the possibility of a cancelled show, or having to explain to one’s dresser why those trousers will not fit anymore.

So here is the challenge:

How much can a world-wide group of opera singers and opera lovers come together to change the world for the better?

With this challenge in mind, I am thrilled to announce the creation of OperaAid.

OperaAid is a unique movement that will ultimately depend on all of you getting involved – singers, conductors, orchestra members, crew, company and fans. The aim is to mobilise everyday opera people to come together to create extraordinary change in the lives of others.

There will be more news on the official launch event very soon, and I will also reveal the names of the remarkable global-based team of singers who will all be helping to make this happen. The best way to ensure you are completely up-to-date with the latest news is to subscribe to this site. That way you will be the first to know when the details of our launch event are released.

In the meantime, you will have a leading role in this tiny show of mine. Do you see the red “Feedback” tab on the right hand side of this web page? This tab is where you can post any ideas and suggestions for OperaAid fund-raising events – and you can even vote for the ideas you like the most! Click the tab NOW and start contributing!

Or if you prefer, just try sending me a Tweet.

This is the most compelling and energising project I have ever undertaken, and this site is where you can witness every step involved in bringing this project to life. Getting involved with OperaAid is by far and away the most productive way for you to support The Tiny Soprano, so even if you do nothing else please join us here. We would be thrilled to have you.