The self-proclaimed “World’s Only Opera-Singing Magician” Patrick Bell visited the Newtown Senior Center on the afternoon of August 13.

Mr Bell is currently traveling across the country on his debut national tour and performing his show “Opera Kadabra” for seniors.

He started out as a magician after having one attend his fifth birthday party, and he became a professional magician at just 13 years of age. While off at college, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Voice and sang for the Los Angeles Opera for five seasons.

Today, he blends his two passions — magic and music — to create a one-of-a-kind show.

At the Newtown Senior Center, he sang classic works from Mozart, as well as tunes from Broadway and movie musicals, including My Fair Lady’s “On The Street Where You Live.”

His baritone voice was powerful and clear as it filled the room, allowing for those seated all around the room to hear him without a microphone.

Mr Bell also told the crowd he takes song requests and joked, “You can request any song in the whole wide world — as long as it’s on the short list I have.”

He even had sing-a-long parts in his show where he welcomed everyone to join him in singing songs like “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’” from Oklahoma.

During his first magic trick of the show, Mr Bell asked Emery Check, seated in the audience, to examine a rope to make sure there were no breaks in it. Then he asked Pat Schubert, also seated in the crowd, to feel the large metal ring he would be using to make sure it was solid.

He then did a trick with both items that showcased him intentionally intertwining the two, then separating them with ease. He also pretended his hands were scissors and cut the rope into multiple pieces, only to magically transform it back together again right before everyone’s eyes.

The trick left everyone watching in awe, and one woman in the audience called out to Mr Bell about the trick, saying, “How do you do it?” He replied, “Very well,” and the room erupted in laughter.

To learn more about events at the Newtown Senior Center, call 203-270-4310 or visit newtown-ct.gov/senior-center.