MINDFULMUSICMOMENTS Mindful Music Moments works in partnership with the Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati and the Contemporary Arts Center to bring you mindfulness and beautiful music. We hope you will take this time to quiet your mind, find your breath, and connect with your very best self.

FUN FACT: Classical Clip: Recondida Armonia (Strange Harmony) Composer: Puccini At the end of this opera, Composed: 1900 is supposed to Partner: Cincinnati Opera leap from the roof of the prison. Fortunately for This opera is a love story between a painter named Mario her, most productions Cavaradossi and Floria Tosca. This aria, sung by Cavaradossi, will have a huge “Recondita armonia” happens within the first 10 minutes of mattress or trampoline the opera. In the aria, he compares Tosca’s beautiful features set up to cushion her to those of another woman’s portrait that he is painting. landing so that she will not hurt herself. How- ever, there are many DAY 1: This famous tenor aria is a romanza, or a simple vocal ballad that con- rumors of productions veys an especially tender, romantic quality. What instruments do you hear that make it sound romantic or tender? Feel your body quiet as you listen to where the bounciness of this calming music. the trampoline has sent Tosca bouncing back up DAY 2: A tenor is the highest male voice part. Where in this aria do you over the prison wall and hear the highest singing? Do you like this sound? into full view, much to DAY 3: In the first 20 seconds of this piece when only the orchestra is playing, the amusement of the listen very carefully for the flutes as they play a fluttering bird-like passage. audience. You will hear this same pattern two more times in the aria. Can hear where they are? CHARACTER STRENGTH: DAY 4: The final words Cavaradossi sings at the end of this aria are “My only thought is of you, Tosca, only you!” As he sings these words, listen for the Cavaradossi sings about vocal line to reach its highest point. how beautiful Tosca is and giving her many kind DAY 5: Cavaradossi is singing about Tosca, the woman he loves. Imagine compliments. How did someone you love very much in your own life and think of them as you listen you feel the last time to this piece. someone said something kind to you? Each day this week, see if you can practice kindness by complimenting someone.