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Lessons we can learn from opera

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2013

Henck P.J.G. van Bilsen
Henck P.J.G. van Bilsen*
Affiliation:
Head of Programmes and Psychology, St Andrew's Healthcare, Essex, UK; Visiting Teaching Fellow, Bucks New University, UK
*
Correspondence to: Henck van Bilsen, St Andrew's Healthcare, Essex, Pound Lane, North Benfleet, Wickford SS12 9JP. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

I take the art form opera as an example from which practicing mental health professionals can learn some important lessons. After an introduction to the representation of mental illness in opera, the focus turns to one specific opera: La Bohème. Some pivotal scenes in this opera are reviewed and reflection points for mental health practitioners are suggested. By reflecting on the words sung in the opera, I draw parallels between mental health clinical practice and the content and performance of opera. The paper concludes with some general lessons mental health practitioners can take from opera.

Keywords

Mental healthopera
Type
Commentary
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , April 2014 , pp. 5 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © NAPICU 2013 

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