Go to The Opera with Diva by Doxter S. Composers and songwriters often refer to physical and emotional aspects of the writer or his/her subject. The music is intended to generate feelings in the listener that enhance the lyrics. These feelings are often happiness and contentment. That works well if you’re writing for the genre of children’s music.

Most adult contemporary music, however, conveys more powerful and disturbing emotions: the singer is not just in love, but is lovesick. There is sometimes excitement and anticipation. Often these are feelings of abandonment and resentment.  There may be panic or anxiety.  Sometimes there is outright depression and despondency. The fact is, music connects with people because it elicits emotion. Emotions are as varied and distinct as the individual flowers of a beautiful bouquet.

Diva by Doxter S is based on Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème.   This was just one of many opera’s that have depicted physicians and illness as important aspects of the lives of the various characters in the story:

In 1896, Puccini’s magnificent opera La Bohème opened in Turin, Italy, directed by Arturo Toscanini. The two main characters Rodolfo and Mimi, living the Bohemian life, meet and fall in love.  Through trials and tribulations and a sustained absence their love does not waver.  The problem is that Mimi is dying of consumption. Read more:

La Bohème is just one of many operas featuring medical themes. Of 493 operas spanning from 1777 to 2016, 53 (10.7%) were identified as having either a patient and/or doctor as characters.  For a more complete review of this subject I refer you to On Doctors and Their Operas: A Critical (and Lyrical) Analysis of Medicine in Opera by Joan B. Soriano, MD (CHEST 2018; 154(2):409-415).