We sat in front of the empty stage,
Just a piano sitting on it,
And a table with tea and biscuits.
Where was everyone?
Then from behind us came a voice
Asking if this was the place,
And was the man he came to meet here?
He walked to the stage,
Saw the piano and sat at it,
He said he loved the piano
And would we mind if he played.
He played with absolute ease,
And then his voice sailed,
Sailed around the room
Delighting all.
Another voice came from behind
And a beautiful lady walked in,
Walked to the stage.
They knew each other,
Kissed cheeks,
And asked if they had seen the man,
The man that had called them there.
The pianist asked her to sing,
And sing she did.
This wonderful soprano voice
Filled the theatre,
Bringing us to our feet.
Two more voices were heard from behind,
Another wondrous lady
And a big bearded bass,
All were searching for the man.
All had been asked,
Asked to come and sing,
Sing the best opera in the world.
That is when the bickering started,
What was the best opera in the world?
The bickering stopped
When a loud tenor voice
Came from behind,
They knew who it was
Knew his poor reputation.
The voice approached,
Followed by this handsome man.
He too had been asked,
Asked the same question
To attend to sing,
Sing the best opera in the world.
They each had their favourite,
Each thought theirs was the best.
We were in raptures,
As arias and choruses
Rose from these singers,
These superb singers,
Who treated us to the glory,
The glory that is opera.
In the midst of their climax
A letter was found,
Saying that the person
The person they were to meet
Had died,
And would not be with them
Except in Spirit.
They went silent
Four of the singers sat down in sadness.
The pianist played and sung,
One of the saddest of all songs
Came from his lips,
Tom Bowling floated round the room,
We, I, was in tears,
As were we all.
The audience went silent
Not a sound was heard,
Except this plaintiff singing
And the occasional sob,
Absolute silence reigned
As the song closed.
The singers rose from their sadness
And sang for us again,
Dispelling the torpor
With the glory of opera once more.
We cheered,
We applauded as these five musicians ended,
Ended a marvellous afternoon,
An afternoon of humour and sadness,
But most of all an afternoon
Of such wonderful singing.
Singing for us,
Singing for all,
Singing the best opera in the world.