Roving Street Opera Singer on Vanderbilt / Grand Army Plaza: The Official Thread

joebrooklynian

Has anyone seen (or know anything about) the golden-voiced, apparently homeless guy who belts out opera on Vanderbilt Ave. and at GAP?

This may be Brooklyn's very own Ted Williams (homeless guy with golden voice) waiting to be discovered:

Here's the comments from another Brooklynian thread:

@BKChickie wrote:

"... tonight was the second time I heard some guy singing opera near GAP. He has a great voice--very powerful. Has anyone else heard him?"

http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/crazy-guy-screaming-at-early-am-hours#post-751156

@foolio wrote:

"the opera guy sings alot walking up and down vanderbilt. you can hear him from blocks away. i wouldnt be surprised if he's also the crazy guy in the original post. I've gotten a look at him a couple times--he does mutter angrily to himself and looks homeless."

http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/crazy-guy-screaming-at-early-am-hours#post-751198

@whynot_31 wrote:

"Opera Guy is a character. I see him pretty regularly on Vanderbilt. I suspect he is both mentally ill and addicted to substances. Needless to say, such comorbid disorders are very common."

http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/crazy-guy-screaming-at-early-am-hours?replies=16#post-751201

We need to find this guy. Someone get a Brooklyn Paper reporter on this - this is their bread and butter!!

bkchickie

I'm pretty sure that both times I have heard him it's been on a Friday night. The first time he seemed to be on the Park Slope side of Flatbush, near the GAP subway station. This past Friday, I was near Vanderbilt and Plaza, but I was less sure of where the voice was coming from. I've never spotted the man specifically, but the first time I feel like I had a better idea of his location.

This helps, like, not at all--but I wanted to share more details.

whynot_31

Mrs Whynot and I were waiting for a seat at Chuko (the ramen place on Vanderbilt) when we saw him last. He was singing loudly in front of where the gas station used to be, then continued to sing his way toward GAP.

White guy. Could lose a little weight. My guess is early 40s. About 5'6". Unkempt appearance, dirty denim jacket. Facial stuble. I assume that was an alcoholic beverage in his right jacket pocket. Really loud singing voice.

Diners on the Ave gave him wide berth on the sidewalk, because he is so loud.

When I saw him, he would stop and sing. Have others seen him manage to sing and walk at the same time?

karl the druid

hark, arch enemy

a clarion call beckons

karaoke man