Life
Student recording national anthem for graduation is unexpectedly joined by an opera singer
This fantastic singer was performing for her school when the perfect stranger walked by for a gorgeous duet!
Severin Lai
06.25.20

Alright imagine for a moment that out of everyone in your arts program, YOU have been chosen as the best vocalist and your school wants you to perform the national anthem for their YouTube channel. You would essentially become the new face of the school and a showcase of everything a new student can hope for as they enter into these programs themselves and work hard enough.

That’s exactly what happened to Madisen Hallberg,

a recent graduate of Portland State University’s college of the arts.

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Pretty impressive, right? The video really does a great job of showing off her spectacular voice!

She sings The Star Spangled Banner solo, no instrumental accompaniment of any sort.

Her voice is so good that she doesn’t need any of that.

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But as impressive as her voice is,

that’s not even the craziest part of the video!

That’s still coming!

Hallberg was asked to sing in an extremely public space, which she was no doubt used to, but it must still be nerve wracking!

She was singing in a public city park that actually runs through PSU’s campus. Students and citizens walk through the park all the time!

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As Hallberg was singing, a complete stranger was walking by and heard her performance.

That stranger was Emmanuel Henreid, a world class opera singer!

Multnomah Arts Center describes Henreid as:

The International Versatile singer, dancer, actor, and pianist. Emmanuel Henreid, is an honors graduate of Concordia University’s 2013 class. The international artist has traveled to various countries throughout Europe, sharing plethora genres of music in effect to reach the Masses and his local community.

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“Emmanuel is also a Piano, Voice, Theater, Modern Dance, and Hip-hop instructor.

He serves on the Arts and Music Board of Kings School in Seattle, Washington, and the board of Active Space in Portland. Whenever time permits and Emmanuel is not working, he enjoys event planning, activism work, philosophy, linguistics, traveling, tea, and collecting vinyl records. Moreover he enjoys spending quality time with various communities, family, and friends.”

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In a completely random turn of events, Hallberg found herself in the presence of quite literally the perfect person to catch her performance.

He asked if he could sing alongside her, and everyone agreed!

The video captures that moment perfectly (although I’m sure they needed to do a new take!) and the two musicians begin a fabulous, patriotic duet.

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Hallberg was, needless to say, stunned by this opportunity!

“Once he started singing I immediately relaxed into the sound of his voice. His voice was so good, and I realized I was getting the chance to sing with a super talented musician!

“I saw it as a total blessing—and getting the chance to do that felt truly special during this time of the virus where we as musicians are often isolated. I was totally surprised that someone would have the courage to just walk up and ask, but that’s something that I admire about him.”

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The duet is absolutely gorgeous and such a pleasure to listen to! The video has since gone viral and has been seen almost 100,000 times on YouTube alone.

It really raises people’s spirits, and more than a few people shared the sentiment that it enkindled their American spirit and gave them hope.

“I don’t know if that was set up or not, but that had me tearing up. America will survive” -brewcrew574

“A symbol of unity, hope and strength for our country…” -stanimal8

“This is what makes America great.” -Keith Leonard

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If that isn’t some overwhelmingly positive feedback… I don’t know what is.

You can and really should watch the video below, treat your ears today.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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