An unexpected duet

Graduating music major Madisen Hallberg was selected by College of the Arts faculty to sing the national anthem for Portland State University’s virtual commencement this June. While she rehearsed in the Park Blocks, a professional opera singer, Emmanuel Henreid, passed by and asked if he could join in. The result was a beautiful duet that has inspired viewers around the world. The viral video was featured on ABC World News, NBC’s The Today Show, NPR, and dozens of other national media outlets, and as a result, it has been viewed more than 500 million times online. PSU’s Office of University Communications estimates adding broadcast views would bring the total number of views to approximately 1 billion.