Singers and married couple John Cameron and Susan Boland were brought up to value people and beauty in an age of commercialism. When they co-founded Operatunity they wanted to be able to share some joy and beauty with those around them.
Their love of antiques and beautiful objects is certainly represented in their music room at home. When John's parents died they left his brother, also a singer their precious Bechstein grand and they left John money to buy a piano of equal value. Although extremely hard up at the time, Sue and John went into a music shop, the first place they looked in, and found a Bechstein of equal value and age, 1892. It has held pride of place in their home ever since.
"Life is not about money, it is about instilling value into others' lives” says Sue. “Life can be hard for people. We want our audiences to leave their troubles at the door and come and be themselves for a while, allowing the music and fun to transport them away from the burden of life.”
Now Operatunity gives tens of thousands joy though its national tours of daytime concerts and international and national music trips.
"Sue and John open the world to us widows,” says Pat from Botany, who took part in Operatunity’s recent East USA-Canada in the Fall trip. “We would never be able to travel without their love and care.”
John and Sue’s red music room was painted when red wasn’t fashionable. “Do you want it that bright?” several people asked them. But many years of music have been experienced in Sue and John’s lovely music room, with the piano given to them by John’s parents.
That warm, passionate music room with its piano mellowing with age represents the warmth and passion the couple give to others through their music and love every day.
