Summer 2015 hurried with the other members of the choir to the chambers where they would rehearse the ‘Laudamas Te’ for the evening service. ‘I heard the crystal clarity of the F in the ‘Dies Irae’, boys, now let me see if any of you can reach across three octaves and hold the high C,’ the priest said. As the boys lined up beside the countertenors, tenors and the resident castrati, Bellino knew he could reach the notes, that was why he was here; it was that ability his mother was depending on. It was now up to him to sing it in the pure, high pitch that could only be produced by a boy soprano like himself, or, a castrato. He watched and listened as two other boys sang solo and knew he could do better. Then one of the castrati gave them a demonstration of the same notes, produced with the same pitch and range, but delivered with the power from the lungs of a grown man. The castrato added a few of his own embellishments and flourishes, showing off his vocal acrobatics and making Bellino gasp out loud. ‘Yes, you may gasp and gawp, Bellino, but now you see what the human voice is capable of – is it not a more wondrous instrument than any devised by man?’
When Bellino’s turn came, he knew this was his moment of truth; the time when he must and would hit the high C, hold it, trilling, and dazzling all who listened and in so doing seal his fate. Just for a moment, before he began the ‘Pie Jesu,’ he thought again of not reaching those needed notes, of sacrificing his family rather than his manhood, but even as he wavered, the ever-present pangs of hunger gnawed at his stomach, and his pride, too strong to let him fail, forced him to open his mouth and sing. His voice would never falter, he would become castrato, endure the long arduous years of training, be given an unsurpassed education and maybe, if he worked hard and was lucky, he would become rich and his family would rejoice that they’d sold their only son to be castrated for the Church of Rome. As his solo came to an end, Bellino felt a hand on his shoulder, and looking up saw the beaming face of the choirmaster, ‘Multo benissimo, Bellino,’ he said, and the assembled castrati nodded their approval. Veryan Williams-Wynn’s young adult book The Spirit Trap published by Lodestone books will be out in a few months.
It isn't what happens to you, it's what great warmth and generosity of spirit by you do when it happens. a gifted writer. ~ Kauser Ahmed, PhD clinical psycholoThrough the trauma of breast cancer gist Simms/Mann - UCLA Center for InteAlicia Garey came out of the writing clos- grative Oncology et to share her experience and how she restored her balance. Facing the chal- Alicia Garey’s What a Blip takes you on lenges of motherhood, running an interi- an honest and at times uncomfortable or design business while also being a journey of the challenges one faces with wife, daughter, sister and friend, Alicia cancer, while giving an in-depth, soulful celebrates the gift of life through a new look at not only this disease but the inner lens, and finds the joy by seeing the light fears that arise and the fortitude it takes in her darkest hours. to stay focused on the result and accept nothing less. Alicia gives direction and Alicia dedicates her story to all of us who tips on how to achieve success, and exhave or will face a terrifying life chal- plores the courage it took to look this lenge. As far as she can tell, the challeng- massive wild animal in the eye head on es do indeed come our way, and we without ever backing down. learn from them. What a Blip is heart-wrenching, endearA genuinely wise and funny account of ing, and gives any woman who is facing living through breast cancer and finding or diagnosed with cancer extraordinary meaning on the other side. Alicia puts hope. into words what so many women on the ~ Amy Gibson, Founder and Client Creatunexpected journey through cancer feel edHair.com, Leading Hair Loss Consultant and never say; this book gives solace to and Wig Designer in the U.S., Alopecia all who wonder - is it just me? A truly Activist, Talk Show Host, Producer, Ausensitive and inspired story, told with thor
Alicia Garey is an interior designer and blog contributor for the Huffington Post. She lives in Santa Monica, California with her husband and their two children.
41