Ice cream maker flies in Marcello Bedoni to sing to his cows hoping they will produce creamier milk
Ice cream maker flies in Marcello Bedoni to sing to his cows hoping they will produce creamier milk
Ice cream maker Frank Frederick has flown in an Italian opera tenor to sing to his herd of Friesian cows in the hope they will produce creamier milk.
Marcello Bedoni, one of Europe's leading tenors, flew to Lancashire for the concert following an invitation from Federici who is re-launching an 100-year-old brand.
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GAaye ja: Marcello Bedoni performs to a field of Friesian cows at Cockshotts Farm, Lancashire. The recipe for a gelato that will soon go on sale lists opera for the cows as one of the steps |
The gelato, which goes on sale this month, has been recreated from a century old family recipe.
Its creator Antonio Federici, who lived on the Italian Riviera, believed that listening to the opera he loved was beneficial to his cows and co-workers.
He was convinced that it stimulated the production of endorphin-rich milk and created a happy working environment and wrote it down as an essential ingredient to the recipe.
The recipe, which has been handed down through the generations, has now been passed onto his grandson Frank Frederick.
Said Frederick, "My grandfather always sang to the cows before milking and in our quest to recreate the gelato my brother and I enjoyed as children, we are sticking faithfully to his recipe.
"The cows will enjoy the recital and this will be reflected in the quality of the milk they produce for us. The passion of the music will be reflected in the product.
We also plan to stage opera performances within the Antonio Federici factory this summer for our work force so that everyone enjoys the benefits of this wonderful music."
The ice cream manufacturer has laid on a series of opera recitals, which started on Friday at Cockshotts Farm near Clitheroe, Lancashire where the Fresian herd were serenaded with tunes including Amore ti vieta by Giordano and E lucevan le stelle by Puccini.
Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, Dairy Adviser to the NFU commented "Soothing sounds or music can reduce stress and a healthy, contented cow is likely to produce more milk and anything that enhances that can only be a good thing".
Said Bedoni, "I am looking forward to the concerts the cows are such gentle beasts and have a good ear for opera. I have put together a special repertoire for my audience, including soothing arias and Napolitan songs. I am steering clear of rousing numbers like Wagner and Carmina Burana!"
