The Littlest Prima Donna: Sydney’S Busking Opera Singer

By Donna C. Cain

For author Donna Cain, life forced her to stretch in a way she never planned for herself. Because of financial struggles, she began busking to supplement her income as an accounts payable contractor. With a highly trained voice, honed throughout many years of singing lessons, Cain is not a garden-variety busker. Shes an opera singer busker.

During her first year busking, Donna felt like an exhibitionist willingly stringing herself out to be humiliated. But busking allowed her to survive between one office job ending and the next one commencing. In The Littlest Prima Donna, she presents a series of vignettes telling what life is like busking as an opera singer in Sydney, Australia. Sharing colorful stories taken right from the street, Cain offers a glimpse into the fears, doubts, and struggles, but also the joys and glories that accompany a self-employed street musician.

With photographs included, The Littlest Prima Donna provides insights into the rewards and the challenges of the work. It gives a unique peek into Sydney society and a look at a broad slice of human nature across many cultures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: May 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781504307895

Donna C. Cain

Donna Cain has busked at Martin Place, Hyde Park, Pitt Street Mall, and at Circular Quay in Sydney’s Central Business District. She also sings for corporate events and at weddings and performs with the chamber group Ensemble Spiritoso. For more information visit: www.dcprimadonna.com or www.ensemblespiritoso.com

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 Donna Carmel Cain.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Photos are copyrighted by Stuart Innes

Photographs by Stuart Innes

With Forewords by

Ann Howard and Dr Jonathon Welch AM

This is a fictitious book based on factual experiences that occurred to Donna Cain in the course of her work as a busker. Names are omitted and descriptions have been changed to protect identities. Therefore, the resemblance of characters in this book to any real life person is entirely coincidental and no liability will be entered into. In the instances where names of participants are specifically mentioned, those events did occur as outlined, and those individuals have approved their inclusion in this book. The organisations mentioned in this book also gave permission to be mentioned. However, this does not imply any ongoing affiliation with Donna Cain, nor is it an endorsement of her work.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com.au

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-0788-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-0789-5 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 05/03/2017

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Busking in Martin Place

The diary of a diva’s adventures while performing on the streets of Sydney

For my dear mother, who encouraged me to pursue a career in the Arts, not realizing this was highly impractical. Luckily, she also trained me in Accounts.

I’ll show you how it’s enough. Go up on the roof at night. In this city of the soul. Let everyone climb on their roofs and sing their notes! Sing loud!

Rumi

Trans. by C. Barks

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Dreaming of the Sydney Opera House: Busking at Circular Quay

Contents

List of Photographs

Foreword by Ann Howard

Foreword by Dr Jonathon Welch AM

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1.   A Bitter Busker

2.   Mayhem at Taylor Square

3.   Blue Collar Angel

4.   Valentine’s Day

5.   Earning My Wings

6.   Thieves’ Gallery

7.   Lucky Charm

8.   The Blow In

9.   Bag Lady Blues

10.   Urban Heroes

11.   The ‘F’ Word

12.   Big Mouth

13.   The Lover

14.   Lady of the Bags

15.   Long Term Listeners

16.   The Dilemma

17.   The Sage

18.   An Arresting Soundtrack

19.   Busking at Its Best

20.   Double Act

21.   Elephant Meat and Grass

22.   Positive Feedback

23.   Hecklers Unite

24.   Bird Song

25.   A Personal Gift

26.   Pit Bull Tales

27.   Warming the Head and the Heart

28.   The Trolley People

29.   A Wicked Fan

30.   Celebrity Sighting

31.   International Appeal

32.   Pocket Rocket

33.   A Taste of Fame

34.   Fighting Back

35.   A Song for Peace

36.   The Talisman

37.   The Interview

38.   Martin Place Singer

Conclusion

Afterword

Author Biography

List of Photographs

Busking in Martin Place

Dreaming of the Sydney Opera House: Busking at Circular Quay

Donna captivates listeners in Hyde Park

Bringing the city alive with song

Looks like a diva, sings like a diva

A surreal scene at St James Station

A magical moment while busking in Hyde Park

Night Busking is a Lonely Gig

Martin Place during the evening rush

Foreword

by Ann Howard

Years ago, I listened to the slight blonde with the powerful voice telling me about busking in some of the most challenging parts of Sydney.

How I admired her courage, and how fascinating the stories were of different passersby, some of whom gave money and encouragement, some who mocked, some who were violent.

Donna has been unswerving in her study for her voice.

Through busking, Donna found some unexpected opportunities. She has been on radio, sung at NSW Parliament House and is a welcome guest singer at music lovers’ soirees.

I urged her to write a book when she first began busking because people will be in awe of her doing something they would not dream of doing. Now here it is, for everyone to marvel at, whilst Donna sings on and on.

Ann Howard is a speaker and webinar