Opera Company of Philadelphia "Toreador" Random Act of Culture - Jan 8, 2011

www.operaphila.org/facebook -- The Opera Company of Philadelphia performed "The Toreador Song" from Bizet's CARMEN at the city's famed Reading Terminal Market on Saturday, January 8, 2011 for a crowd of surprised and delighted shoppers who responded with a chorus of cheers and a rousing ovation. The performance featured soloists (in order of appearance) Troy Cook, Daniel Mobbs and Norman Garrett, and members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus. The performance is one of 1,000 Random Acts of Culture taking place nationally over the next three years, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Knight Foundation's Random Acts of Culture bring artists out of the performance halls and into the streets and our everyday lives. For more videos and information, visit RandomActsofCulture.org. For more information on the Opera Company of Philadelphia, visit www.operaphila.org

[@allbusinessmatters]

The baritone who sings the Torreador song here, Norman Garrett, played college basketball at Texas Tech where his leaps were close to legendary. I laughed when I saw his Texas Tech warm-up suit, but I was stirred by his voice.

[@tatianalyulkin410]

He's magnificent.

[@dee_dee_place]

I would say he is one multi-talented young man. I never saw him play basketball but his voice is incredible. I'm glad he chose opera as his career.

[@dorkflassbury1164]

Thank you George Bizet. Questioned and ridiculed in his own lifetime. Honored and immortal after it.

[@maryyoung5190]

Young and old with the biggest smiles❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rambler241]

Putting smiles on peoples' faces - the essence of flash mob.

[@Bigdave10384]

Opera, as with all good music, by your definition, is not meant to be closed up in concert halls, opera houses, or only certain broadcasters. They, especially opera, tell stories about mythology, legends, history, and real life, real people. Bravo for music of the people, by the people and for the people! Thank you to KZbin for making available to millions.

[@detroyes2]

This is my favorite of the "random acts of culture" so far. Bravo! Notice how most of the older people in the crowd immediately recognize the song, but everyone else are just clueless about it.

[@jewelmarkess]

Kudos to the Opera Company of Philadelphia for doing it! Our tv and radio refuse to broadcast opera, so they take the things into their hands. Fantastic!

[@JaneDoe-ci3gj]

I miss pre-Covid life! Lovely singing, and I also love the reaction from the public! :) Greetings from Sweden.

[@Feed_The_Fink]

how can something so beautiful have 114 thumbs down?

[@mihai-dinulazarescu9124]

their french is terrible!

[@kathleenbielecki6814]

Flash Opera!!!! this should definitely be a thing everywhere

[@grahamparks1645]

random acts of opera

[@randiarikstad4752]

Saw this Opera in Savinlinna Finland 3 years ago. Never get tired of the music

[@JuliaBl]

there simply cannot be enough opera in public places.

[@germby]

If only this could happen everywhere...

[@nightswimmer99]

+Stunfisk Video ... I'd never go home. :)

[@ludwigvanbeethoven5176]

@@nightswimmer99 same

[@Njorl]

Maybe not the emergency room.

[@EJBen007]

@@Njorl but the OR would be ok

[@messrtwinky]

Thrilling! Absolutely thrilling! I love the shot of the woman taking her toddler & "dancing" with him in her arms! Good, mom!

[@HannaARTzink]

This is soooo cute. Thirty some years ago, members of a university choir we would sometime start singing complex pieces on our way to or from rehearsals - in a public transport, on a busstop or in a park... We did not know we were Flash-mobing!

[@tatianalyulkin410]

My Godfather, Paul Leroy Robeson, is looking down from Heaven and most certainly approves! Bravo gentlemen! Bravissimo!

[@garydavies3222]

Absolutely love this! Don't know why it doesn't have a million views plus. Great production quality, great performance, wonderful crowd reaction. I like the folks that can only smile in astonishment and the old dude that just keeps eating. Brings opera to the masses. Phila Opera/Random Acts seems to have the best flash mobs. I'm moving to the Philadelpia area in a couple years - maybe if I hang out at train stations, airports, malls, libraries, Ikeas and cheesesteak joints I'll get lucky.

[@daviddouglas6610]

Bloody love watching this

[@dianam6743]

I love the undercover feel of this one.

[@RedRooster123]

Saw this when it came out.. and then ran into the Texas Tex dude in my apartment building visiting a friend.. and fan girled.

[@manders76]

While Texas Tech guy was walking in, I thought, "What is he thinking, just barging through on his phone and ignoring this?!" And then he opened his mouth and started singing. :) Tutti bravi!

[@dee_dee_place]

I hummed this song to my friend's toddler as I fed her strained peas. The minute I stopped, she started banging her feet on the highchair step & at the same tempo. Not only was she paying attention, but she also got it down pat on the 1st listen. I was flabbergasted. An 18-month-old playing percussion on "The Toreador Song".

[@deanporch7261]

It's been ten years and this never gets old. I know the flash mob isn't a thing anymore but nothing gave me more pride in my city than watching/being a bystander to these performances. We are better. We are culture. We are PHILADELPHIA.

[@zackplaza]

Troy Cook makes me cry from my heart every time I hear him sing. He has a voice that belongs to angels.

[@kristasaucedo7295]

I remember the first time I played this opera......years later; I saw the opera. I've been hooked ever since.

[@TTODD245]

The people at 2:30 are adorable!! Also the older man who appears to be whistling along. Love it!

[@JimMLINY]

What a great ensemble, well done, Bravo!

[@Ambidexter143]

I've always loved "Carmen", it's one of the few operas where the baritone gets the girl. Can you guess that I'm a baritone?

[@rattywoof5259]

Yes, but only temporarily - that rotten tenor Don Jose stabs her to death at the end!

[@rodrigosierpe5995]

I'm a baritone too. I'll try to push the Toreador into our repertoire :)

[@mehitabel1290]

Ahhh... the tenor may get the girl, but the baritone is the one the girl secretly wants....! What, with that lovely treacly voice and the comlpex personality... What girl wouldn't..??

[@randiarikstad4752]

Saw this opera in Savonlinna, Finland. 2 days there in bus, 2 days back. But worth it. We also saw Madame Butterfly. Marverllous

[@elizabethwoolnough4358]

He doesn't get her for long, though. The tenor tops her!

[@Grisbi6]

Bravo, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Bravo!

[@brunasortino2836]

Oh my, this is amazing!! These guys are incredible...the Toreador Song has such an intense, yet playful and beautiful music, I love it! These random acts of culture are brilliant...thanks to KZbin for allowing me to experience them, since I'm far away in Brazil. I would love to experience it in person one day, though! Congratulations to the opera company for the initiative...great!! :D ♥

[@hiobaname]

Just look at the people's face.Smiling,happy,whatever they were thinking or doing before.This is the good music effect.More of this for a better word.And here no phones,no tablets.People enjoying.Bravi from Italy

[@eugenegrewing2587]

That would be so awesome to witness. Was not expecting the black gentleman. Wish I could sing like that.

[@ginomattetti9215]

Che format meraviglioso ,sarebbe fantastico riproporlo in Italia. E i nostri locali per le vie dei nostri mercati rionali è per le vie dei centri cittadini ,davvero belli questi estratti delle più grandi opere di sempre.Complimenti.👍👍

[@sandervanel6211]

Im still hoping to run into something like this myself. Such a wonderfull present to receive!!!!

[@rolandroger8219]

Wonderful greetings from France

[@memomsuss]

So very cool. I got to get out more, I would have loved to been there. Florence

[@vegasrenie]

1:41 "Wow! Brutha be singin'!" He was impressed! So was I! If there's supposed to be 1000 of these by 2014, then you guys are running far behind. We all need a Random Act of Culture!

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Bravo! Love that Reading Terminal Market, too!

[@donaldburke7485]

WOW! I am speechless! It is amazing what music can do to people!

[@wobogiba]

Congratulations from Paris - excellent pronunciation of French by all the singers. This is art and a wonderful way of understanding what life is all about - sharing and enjoying, not arming and hurting.

[@mochs62512]

Way more of this please. Thanks!

[@raidermusicdoc]

My buddy Norman Garrett not only has a great voice, he also has a 40" vertical leap! Congratulations and bravissimo!

[@bredaswan6250]

Wonderful thank you from Dublin Ireland 🌹🌹❤️🦋

[@robinsnest7627]

I just saw Carman Saturday at McCall Hall. One of my faves. They are so lucky.

[@VidConMom]

Bravo!!! Random Acts of Culture Rock!!!

[@JenniferJones-bt4bf]

Encore!!

[@waxology1879]

This is one of my favourite KZbin videos and I’ll always come back to it for uplift. Thank you so much

[@paulasloter3906]

Love to see so many enjoying these fine singers!

[@jitaamesuluma9730]

we need more of this

[@bruno20jf]

Thank you guys, thank you, You made my day much happier I can't stop smiling.

[@VasilWho]

A total triumph of the human's race most admirable quality - the capability to create and perform music! Bravo! Made my day ..:)

[@coraggio93]

What delightful fun...! The baritone in the Texas Tech on his phone, wandering around when, all of a sudden, he's in on it, as well! LOL!

[@jhlee960]

WHOAAA i thought that brotha will pull out some RnB twist to this but danngggg what a VOICE!! did not expect that!!! MIND BLOWN!!

[@christinemitchell6406]

That was so awesome! Bravo! Encore!

[@albertosegredodiaz6914]

40 años para darme cuenta . QUE GRANDE LA OPERA

[@kennethbarker8552]

You have no idea how much I enjoy this. Delicious. An utter delight. Well done all ❤❤

[@ducatiman1309]

Warmest Greetings from Scotland !!! Just great !! Thankyou XXXX

[@johnymar11]

Absolutely love it! I love experiencing culture!

[@donnaking74]

I am so in love with this! Completely! Totally ! In love!

[@cedielillo]

Estoy feliz y maravillado con estos actos culturales, sale lo mejor mi... Que feliz me siento, donde lo vea en vivo lloro.

[@sandrasalinascoll5940]

Maravilloso!!!! Aunque lo estoy viendo en 2021 😂. Como me gustaría encontrarme con un flash así!!!!! Ahora con pandemia mundial....cero posibilidad😰

[@davidkzoo]

All of these are awesome!

[@rockingv]

Hard to see anybody NOT smiling . . Brilliantly uplifting ....

[@kennethbarker8552]

Love this beyond words - what a fabulous idea.

[@nadig4823]

i love this Opera

[@RobertBieserJr]

BRAVISSIMO!!! BRAVISSIMO, TROY COOK, DANIEL MOBBS AND NORMAN GARRETT AND THE OPERA COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA CHORUS! WELL DONE!!

[@AlexandrosDeligiorgis]

Emotional, surprising, incredible...

[@mariawoz5783]

A dziś łotry odbierają ludziom wszelkie radości! Cieszmy się, śmiejmy się na pohybel łotrom! Thank you very much and we need you today. Please come back!

[@kuues]

Absolutely splendid! "Random act of culture" indeed.

[@Mustardest]

I have been searching for this song! Oh happy day!

[@robbiewilliams1943]

Superb. Well. Done

[@carolyntrahan9751]

Loved it tremendously and happy to find all this talent

[@elfheimakbar2540]

Bravo. Absolutely splendid. Thank you.

[@lndrnsandi]

Fab!! Love the TX Tech guy, who I thought was a high school basketball player!

[@NeverMetTheGuy]

I'm really glad that The OCP did this. They're doing a great deal for communal, and national awareness of opera and its beauty. Keep up the great work guys! I hope that you do this again some day, and hope that more companies around the country will follow in your footsteps!

[@YuYuTa246]

JUST AMAZING!!!!

[@dorkflassbury1164]

I love it. Thank you for sharing.

[@wenettehamilton7585]

Thank you for this .

[@ronaldo190172]

Absolutely brilliant XX

[@lizmagu3189]

Love the lady in red. She never stopped smiling!! 😁❤🤗

[@louisefriesen1312]

Absolutely loved it. Wish I could be there.

[@linus0804]

Amazing! Thank you

[@anninilsen1410]

UnbelievAble. Thank you

[@alexe7234]

Thank you , people had fan and good mood !!!

[@marcantony9228]

And what a wonderful high note to end on,magnificent.

[@koumbouras1]

delizioso!!!!! molte grazie!!!

[@rebecarodriguez8477]

Just love it!!!

[@joseovalle4253]

Love it!!! Me encanta!!!

[@83PSU]

Great music and a good looking crowd. A real treat.

[@JohnMason57]

This is wonderful.

[@minglu8878]

Beautiful!!!

[@gruffmeister44]

Fan-bloody-tastic!!!!!!

[@Albert_Sierra]

It is fabulous!

[@roymartin1655]

MY FAV OPERA!!!!

[@SuperNewsJunky]

AWESOME!

[@JorgeAl]

Love this, whish I could see one flash mob opera live!

[@jtalbot34]

Well done!!

[@mmrakii]

Como não se emocionar com esta apresentação!

[@lisarnful]

Wow! A random act of culture....so cool! What a gift!

[@rickyfan3956]

I love this! What a pleasant experience it must be to be suddenly ripped out of the everyday and placed on the level of dreams, if only for a few moments!