(Credit: Arielle Doneson)

After three months off the stage, Christine Goerke created her own stage in front of her porch.

The dramatic soprano revealed via social media that after months of sitting home, she decided to perform a concert of popular arias and songs to her neighbors.

In her post, the soprano revealed, “I was tired of sitting in my house and not reaching out to people… not sharing what I ‘do’ with people. So – I asked my neighbors via our WhatsApp group if they might be interested in a socially distanced ‘porch recital.’ They were 100% in. So Allison Wamser and I put together a program of arias, songs, some broadway – about 40 mins worth of music. My husband James called the town police to be sure we weren’t going to break some ordinance by doing this at 4 pm on a Sunday. We were told that as long as we weren’t blocking a road and were following social distancing rules, they were happy to have us do it. We hauled out my large Panasonic speaker and put it on my porch. The set up was right in front of my front door, and my “amazing” neighbors all came with their lawn chairs and blankets to set up their socially distant places to listen.”

In her post, the soprano spoke to the emotions she felt performing and encouraged boards of companies to “PLEASE take a chance. Don’t take the ‘safe’ way, even if it feels secure… whatever that is. Do something on a small scale. Think outside the box. I can’t begin to tell you how desperate people are for the art that connects us.”

The soprano has been active on social media throughout the COVID-19 lockdown encouraging fans to donate to artist relief funds as most have lost jobs due to the pandemic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBep-FqhsRD/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet