+++
author = ["authors/jenna.md"]
categories = "Humour"
date = "2015-04-12T19:55:00-04:00"
lastmod = "2015-04-13T22:05:00-04:00"
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1428882784058/dMZjZ6Z.jpg.jpg"
publishDate = "2014-09-24T11:01:00-04:00"
related_companies = ["scene/companies/royal-opera-house.md"]
related_people = ["scene/people/joyce-didonato.md"]
short_description = "I love opera, and so does Stephen Fry. I’ve written about this gem before, but it’s worth revisiting. Stephen Fry did a special with the Royal Opera House, called The Science of Opera, where he went to see Simon Boccanegra with British comedian Alan Davies. A team of scientists were on hand to measure their emotional experience throughout the opera. "
slug = "science-and-simon-boccanegra"
title = "Science and Simon Boccanegra"

youtube_url ="https://youtu.be/EVN4dShaZWk"
+++

I love opera, and so does Stephen Fry. I've [written](/stephen-frys-latest-charming-appearance-at-the-royal-opera-house/) about this gem before, but it's worth revisiting. Stephen Fry did a special with the Royal Opera House, called _The Science of Opera_, where he went to see _Simon Boccanegra_ with British comedian [Alan Davies](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Davies). A team of scientists were on hand to measure their emotional experience throughout the opera. They measured their heart rates and how much they sweat; they even asked Stephen and Alan to press buttons when they were feeling an emotionally climactic moment in the opera. Stephen is a seasoned opera lover, but Alan was a first-timer; it's really fascinating to see what's in common between their experiences of the same thing. There are even appearances by Antonio Pappano and the fab Joyce DiDonato. Great watching for a Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!
