Healing Through Art: Letting Go of Fear
- Classical singer Marina Viotti, 38, the mezzo-soprano who rose to fame globally after performing at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, is letting go of her “fear,’ sharing her past cancer journey as she embarks on the next phase of her musical journey with a new album inspired by her fight.
- The cover of “Melankhôlia,” with its darkness through light theme has been Viotti’s track list through her journey, she says, noting it’s the only music she could sing through that challenging time. Now finding peace, she is ready to move forward.
- Some people facing a challenging disease like cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid. Do what feels best for you, but make sure you are talking to a loved one or mental health professional, as the burden of cancer is often too much to bear.
- Through their journey, many people turn to the arts as an emotional outlet during or after cancer. Art therapy like painting, dancing, and music has been shown to have a colossal impact on one’s emotional and mental health
“I know this photo will be a shock for a lot of you. This photo was taken 5 years ago by my dear friend Aurelie Raidron while I was fighting cancer,” Viotti wrote in an Instagram post this week alongside her vulnerable cover art. “First of all: it’s a battle I won, I’m 100% recovered now, cancer free since several years, and so grateful about it.”
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The cover of “Melankhôlia,” with its theme of “in darkness through the light,” has been “the ‘track list’ of my journey through cancer, it has been the only music I could sing, and in which I found a form of peace and acceptance, facing darkness through the light. That is why this album is so personal and dear to me.”
“I share some of my experience in a diary that is part of the album booklet, and I’ll share some more in the next few weeks before the album release.” Viotti has not yet disclosed the type of cancer she went through.
Describing the artist in a prior post, Slipped Disc author Norman Lebrecht, wrote:
“Marina Viotti, who was awarded a French Victoire de la Musique in 2023, is highly recognized for her unrivaled, intense and wide musical universe, inside and beyond the pure classical repertoire.”
The outlet also noted that Viotti got scooped up by French label Naïve shortly after her memorable Paris performance with Gojira and Victor Le Masne. Check out the official audio in the YouTube video below.
Viotti studied the flute, experimented with gospel, jazz and heavy metal, and also holds a Master’s degree in philosophy and literature, per the Opéra national de Paris website. She spent time in Vienna, Austria for her vocal training.
To Share or Not To Share Your Cancer Diagnosis
Some people facing a challenging disease like cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid.
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explained in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.
Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration.
Dr. Plutchik added, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means survivors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik noted.
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Dr. Plutchik also stressed that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
Tips to Cope with an Unexpected Diagnosis
Facing a cancer diagnosis is often a terrifying experience, but it’s important to know that you are not alone — and there are many ways to seek support. Experts recommend trying the following:
- Let your family and close friends know and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
- Keep a journal. It can be highly cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a lovely journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
- Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
- Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Overcoming Cancer & Solace in Art Through Cancer
Many people turn to the arts as an emotional outlet during or after cancer. Whether you’re a professionally trained artist or not, the arts can have a helpful effect during or after a cancer journey.
Art therapy, like painting, dancing, and music creating it, and listening to it has been shown to have a colossal impact on one’s emotional and mental health, Dr. Alexander Pantelyat, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins, previously told SurvivorNet.
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“Just listening to music activates more brain regions simultaneously than any other human activity,” Dr. Pantelyat said.
While going through cancer, try to find small moments of joy be it from writing, painting, singing or dancing. Having a positive outlook and an upbeat attitude can help heal you through as you pour yourself into your art and purge out those negative feelings of fear.
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