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Would this duo have performed together under any other circumstance?
The death of the beloved monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has brought united many Britons in their grief. She was adored by so many from every stratum of society.
Queen Elizabeth II Dies Peacefully After Historic 70-Year Reign
Anna Lapwood is the Director of Music at Pembroke College. She is a renowned organist, conductor, and broadcaster.
She posted on social media that she spontaneously stopped at London Bridge Station’s pipe organ on Sunday to “play a couple of pieces for the Queen.”
As she was playing, a security guard, Marcella, came up to her and requested that she play the Italian soprano aria Lascia ch’io pianga — “Let Me Weep” in English — written by George Frideric Handel in the early 1700s, which has become a very popular concert piece.
It turns out that Marcella was a trained operatic singer and joined Lapwood in creating a spontaneous and beautiful tribute to the late Queen.
(And yes – she got the audience and applause she deserved by the end!! We ended up doing a whole load of duets and it was pure joy ❤️) pic.twitter.com/dDngdIPkmp
— Anna Lapwood (@annalapwood) September 11, 2022
I know, I’m so sad about that! I had just left my phone running after the previous thing I had been playing and wasn’t quite expecting this so hadn’t checked the camera angle 😭
— Anna Lapwood (@annalapwood) September 11, 2022
While Lapwood’s video didn’t capture Marcella very well in the video because the impromptu song was so unexpected and she hadn’t adjusted her camera, a couple of passers-by managed to grab video of the pair from behind and share it on social media.
How incredibly lovely to turn the corner of London Bridge station to discover @annalapwood and unknown soprano delighting everyone with a little Lascia ch'io pianga 🎶🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/gSKWaSIih8
— Rosie Brooks (@rosiebrookspics) September 11, 2022
Marcella, the rather brilliant security guard at London Bridge Station, belts out Lascia ch’io pianga as @annalapwood plays organ for the Queen pic.twitter.com/fKzUgk5JbH
— Owen Anslow (@oanslow) September 11, 2022
This sort of thing just shows you that you never know what hidden talents are among the people working security, waiting tables, fixing your car, driving trucks, or any other blue-collar job.
This heartfelt tribute is a perfect example of that.
The Queen’s passing inspired these two women to create something beautiful in a moment of deep sorrow.
Incredible.
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