Brush with fame!
Opera-singing decorator steps in and saves day at church concert
A PAINTER and decorator put down his brushes to thrill concert-goers with a string of opera classics after the main performer pulled out.
Amateur singer John Pierce, 34, was working in a church with his father-in-law when he revealed his passion for music to the organiser of a planned event.
Hours later he was asked if he would stand in for the classical pianist – who had pulled out of the lunchtime concert because of illness – and sing.
Tenor John, who hails from Holywell, North Wales, sang a string of classics still in his overalls.
His impromptu performance at Maldon United Reformed Church in Essex was backed by a piano-playing audience member and received a standing ovation at the end.
Handyman John is redecorating the church with his father-in-law Jim Earls and introduced himself to the concert organiser three hours after starting work. He said: “Fifteen minutes later she received an email from the artist saying he had been rushed to hospital.
“Jim said I would sing. I wanted to change but Jim didn’t want me to ruin the impromptu magic. In the first half I did some operatic favourites like Rigoletto.
“In the second I did Italian songs like Funiculi Funicula and then it was songs from shows like Les Miserables and You Raise Me Up. I finished off with Nessun Dorma.
“I was asked to do an encore and sang Time To Say Goodbye. It was all random. I only came in to do some painting.” John, who lives in Ingatestone, Essex, started singing at 17. He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and dreams of becoming a professional singer.
The newly-wed now works part-time for his father-in-law.
Concert organisers have asked John to sign up for future shows. He added: “I enjoy making people happy with my singing. I am hoping to be back next year.”
Jim, 62, said: “John was brilliant and it would be amazing if he could fulfil his dream. John was going to get a suit but I knew it would ruin the magic so I told him he should stay in his painting outfit.
“In the introduction everyone was just laughing when they heard he was not the arranged act but a painter.
“One person cried when John was singing and told me, ‘a painter has only ever made me cry once...that was when he handed me his bill’.”
Minister the Rev Ambrose said: “It absolutely magic.” Mark was