Stuart Sharp was homeless and broke until he resolved to turn the 'odd noises' in his head into a symphony. Now he is set for stardom
by Elisa Roche
Crouched down in his dilapidated Ford Estate, Stuart Sharp clutched his painfully-empty stomach and fastened his paper-thin sleeping bag, wondering how he had managed to sink so low. Wearing the same tracksuit he had lived in for almost a year, the former pub chef was now living off scraps and weighed a paltry 8 stone.
Five years earlier, he was married with two daughters, lived in an idyllic country cottage and had a steady job in Leicestershire.
But after the death of beloved baby son, Ben, in 1975, life had disintegrated into a haze of alcoholism, poverty and depression. At rock bottom and with his family torn apart, only one thing kept Stuart going – visions of soothing, beautiful music, which transported him to a brighter world.
For in the darkness his mind threw out the demons that tormented him in daylight hours, creating hour upon hour of angelic orchestral sounds that rocked him to sleep and gave him hope for the future.
"The music was always very real, very beautiful, sometimes as if the angels were really playing to me, said Stuart and continued, But being an atheist at the time it was almost impossible to talk about and I tried for a long time to dismiss it from my mind. During the time my wife was in hospital the visions of the music turned into a sort of a film running in my head. It wouldn't leave me - day or night. It was only when I felt my wife was strong enough, after her year in hospital that I tried to explain. But I knew I was talking gobbldygook. I looked into every sort of religion to find answers but in the end decided I must simply follow the vision in my mind. I know I drove her to distraction and away from me. I must have been acting like a mad person and that was not good for Emma and Kate. It was a terrible decision to make- to chase such an impossible dream -but I was sure it would be good for her and the children. I promised I would look after the family and show them a new life where I would take them around the world. Everything I said made no sense. It was a frightening prospect for her. I had no idea how long it would all take when I embarked on the journey. All I know is that every part of the vision came into being and I did look after Emma and Kate who travelled to Africa with me 11 years later to help me with the project for the blind."
Scribbling down the mystery notes as best he could on his sole possession – a tatty notebook – would prove to be Stuart’s saving grace. It is these ‘imaginary’ orchestral sounds which now, some 35 years later, make up Stuart’s Angeli Symphony, already being described as a work of genius by music experts.
“Stuart’s vision for his musical work was remarkable and it’s astounding that a non- musician has come up with something of this quality- genius- It would be like me writing a book on brain surgery without knowledge of the brain!'” says Allan Wilson, conductor of The Philharmonia Orchestra (of London)
He has likened the 40-minute symphony, which is romantic and filled with swooping string instrumentals and harmonised by pitch-perfect choristers, to a Hollywood soundtrack.
“Since I first heard his symphony I have not stopped playing it,” admits actress and West End singing star Ruthie Henshall, 42. “It’s like I have known it all my life, it sounds so familiar. I rang Stuart to tell him how much I loved it and I had a lump in my throat afterwards because it hit my soul. It’s music that makes you believe in angels.”
Stuart’s life has been one of constant turmoil. After school he became a pub chef at the Red Lion Inn in Sibbertoft, near Leicester, where he met and married local girl Jo and where tragedy shaped their future.
The couple had Emma, born in 1974 and later adopted Kate ater losing their son Ben to medical complications at birth.
At one point, he took to sleeping outside the BBC’s Television Centre, watching the musical stars coming and going.
One day a man named Anthony Wade, (now Dr Voice) a jazz musician, stopped to talk to Stuart. “I told him my story and he took me in to his own home in a remarkable act of human kindness that I have never forgotten. I stayed only a few weeks but Anthony helped me to turn the music in my head into actual notes on the page.”
In the years that followed Stuart truly turned his life around-rising from the ashes. 'getting a job in hostel for the homeless was key to acquring many other commission only jobs in the Sheherds Bush area, said Stuart- I used my ability to coach squash to great advantage and the game became a vital part of my life. By 1994 I made enough money to hire the great orchestras. That’s when I decided to track down Anthony Wade."
"He couldn’t believe it when he saw me looking like a top businessman and demanding that we go to a recording studio to make this wonderful music."
Stuart has recently recorded a classical crossover version of his Angeli theme and hopes to see a top opera star sing it as a duet. He has also composed original music for a new West End Show called The Unknown Divas starting at The Leicester Square Theatre on September 27th 2010.
Comments:
Just shows never kick a man when hes down, you never know what potential a human has. its good to see a heartwarming story out of devastation for once
Fantastic music!
What's the website please? Couldn't find it by just typing 'Stuart-Sharp'.
Thanks.
- Anon, Germany, 01/10/2009 19:40
Google, The Angeli Symphony, it is the piece of music that Stuart wrote,
Your Welcome
I am listening to it now - fantastic.
Well done.
Music from the very depths of the soul.
Wow! An amazing story. I just went to his website and listened to his music - I am blown away - what an incredible man!
- Sue, Cheshire, 01/10/2009 18:26
A wonderful story in all this doom and gloom! You deserve everything you have now!
Wow! An amazing story. I just went to his website and listened to his music - I am blown away - what an incredible man!
A truly moving story - precipitated by extreme sadness but triumphed by luck & determination. We could do with hearing a lot more of these wonderful tales.Congatulations Mr Sharp - I cannot wait to hear the symphony
What a wonderful story, just goes to show determination pays off, theses days many people wouldnt be bothered, good luck to you !!!
Fantasic story, well done fella. This type of story can give everyone hope.
Fabulous heart wrenching story
- colin, huddersfield, 1/10/2009 17:05