Health & Medicine, Canada (Commonwealth Union) – According to a new study, experiencing live opera’s power is not limited to adults alone – even babies seem to appreciate it. Researchers found that when infants attended a live performance of a baby opera, their heart rates synchronized, and they exhibited considerably higher levels of engagement compared to babies who watched an identical recorded version of the show.
Laura Cirelli, assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough and co-author of a study published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, explains that the heart rates of those babies followed a similar pattern as other babies watching the show. Despite dealing with various distractions in the concert hall, these babies managed to maintain uninterrupted bursts of attention.
The results indicate that even babies are affected by the experience of attending a live show, influenced by the interactions between musicians and the audience, as well as the social aspect of being in a crowd. Cirelli recounts moments during the performance when the babies would become calm, and other instances when a change in pitch or vocal riff would excite them all.
These observations could provide valuable insights into the innate human inclination to consume music and engage in live show experiences.
According to Cirelli, who leads the TEMPO Lab focused on studying infants’ and children’s responses to music, when we collectively engage with something happening, we also connect with one another. This connection highlights the power of shared experiences.
Moreover, the implication is that this phenomenon extends beyond just one particular performance. Moments that captivate us create a sense of togetherness, as we are all captured by them collectively.
Early childhood development heavily relies on socialization, and during this period, an infant’s brain lays the foundation for future life skills and abilities. Music, as pointed out by Cirelli, can play a significant role in forging these essential bonds. Research has demonstrated that infants are more inclined to socialize with individuals after hearing them sing a familiar song or dancing to music together. Even before their first birthday, infants exhibit strong emotional reactions to music and songs.
Cirelli emphasizes that music creates a highly social and emotional context, allowing infants to establish connections with their caregivers, family members, and even new acquaintances. The study on the audience’s response to music reaffirms that even in a community setting, infants actively engage with the music and connect with their fellow audience members.
In the study, a group of 120 babies aged six to 14 months were observed as they watched a children’s opera performed at a concert hall, which also served as a research facility at McMaster University. Of these infants, 61 watched the opera in person, while the other 59 viewed a recorded version.
To ensure a fair comparison, researchers meticulously adjusted the recording so that the performers appeared at the same size, distance, and volume as in the live performance. The babies’ responses were monitored using heart monitors and tablets attached to the back of concert seats. Afterward, student research assistants carefully analyzed the footage, noting when the babies focused their attention on the stage and when they looked away.
The findings revealed that the live performance managed to captivate the babies’ attention for approximately 72 percent of the 12-minute show, whereas the recorded version held their attention for around 54 percent of the time. Additionally, infants watching the live show displayed longer periods of continuous attention compared to those watching the recording.
“Even little babies who may or may not have experienced music in a community context before are already engaging more when it’s delivered this way,” added Cirelli.
“That’s one question we have as music cognition researchers: What is it about the live experience that’s worth it? Why would people go if there’s not something fundamental about that live music experience that’s above and beyond listening to music by yourself?”
