Woman, 28, who cannot control her limbs, blows crowds away with her powerful opera performance

Alfina Fresta weighs less than 50 kilograms and uses a wheelchair to get around. 

But when the budding opera singer stood up to perform at the Church of Sant’Agata in Catania last month, the 29-year-old’s fragile body gave way to a powerful voice. 

A clip of Alfina performing an aria at the church has gone viral, amassing millions of views and winning her fans around the world. 

She is seen dressed in all white, as is the woman behind her, who works to hold her up and holds the microphone for her. 

Alfina Fresta has wowed people around the world with her powerful voice after a clip of her singing at a church in Italy went viral

Alfina has spastic dystonic tetraparesis, a form of cerebral palsy which affects all four of her limbs. The condition means her arms and legs spasm and twist of their own accord. 

She performs with the Neon Cultural Association, which helps people with disabilities take part in artistic activities such as theatre and opera alongside people who don’t have a disability. 

Stefania Licciardello , president of the Association, is seen holding Alfina in most of her performances.  

As the 28-year-old’s legs buckle and her arms drop, Licciardello can be seen adjusting her stance to keep the songstress upright and comfortable. 

The 29-year-old has spastic dystonic tetraparesis and must be held up for her performances

The 29-year-old has spastic dystonic tetraparesis and must be held up for her performances

Stefania Licciardello , president of the Neon Cultural Association, is seen holding Alfina in most of her performances. The association works to help people with disabilities participate in the arts alongside people who don't have disabilities 

Stefania Licciardello , president of the Neon Cultural Association, is seen holding Alfina in most of her performances. The association works to help people with disabilities participate in the arts alongside people who don’t have disabilities 

Alfina, who is considered an operatic prodigy in Italy, told AbilityTV she was not expecting so much attention, but was glad her passion could make other people smile.

‘I only did what I do best and that makes me happier,’ she said.

‘The music makes me feel alive!’

Her mother Antonella told Citta Nuova her daughter had the ‘strength of a warrior’, and did not let her disabilities stop her from achieving what she set out to do.  

Alfina has had multiple surgeries to try and combat her condition, but they did not provide much relief, if any. 

Antonella says her daughter told her to stop worrying about what had gone wrong, and to ‘focus on the future’. 

Alfina says music makes her feel 'alive', and she is delighted by the attention she's received for her performance

Alfina says music makes her feel ‘alive’, and she is delighted by the attention she’s received for her performance



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