Homeless Opera Singer Wins Fans

On September, 24, people in a Los Angeles subway station were given a treat.

A 52-year-old homeless woman dazzled everyone by singing classical music by Giacomo Puccini during rush hour.

The woman was Emily Zamourka, who was born in Russia and moved to the United States in her 20s.

The classically trained musician worked as a teacher until an expensive illness left her homeless and penniless.

A video of Zamourka performing Puccini's famous aria made the news and went viral online.

Many viewers gave money to a crowdfunding project to help the "subway soprano."

A record producer even offered her a recording contract.

"I'm speechless," Zamourka said, comparing the help to a miracle.

Hopefully, the assistance from strangers gets Zamourka back on her feet so that she can keep making music.

 

• give a treat  한턱을 내다  treatment  ˈtriːtmənt  (사람·사물에 대한) 대우[처우/처리]  / 치료, 처치

• dazzle  ˈdæzl  (강한 빛이) 눈이 부시게[눈 앞이 안 보이게] 하다 (=blind)  (미모솜씨 등으로) 눈부시게[황홀하게] 하다

• illness  ˈɪlnəs   병, 아픔   penniless  ˈpeniləs   무일푼인, 몹시 가난한 (=destitute)  viral  ˈvaɪrəl   바이러스성의, 바이러스에 의한   go viral  입소문이 나다

• assistance  əˈsɪstəns  도움, 원조, 지원

• get back on one's feet  다시 자립하다 , 다시 일어서다