Virtual reality opera debuts in Melbourne nursing home as part of dementia care trial

When dementia patient Evelin Costello watched an opera performance through virtual reality (VR) goggles, it took her back to her earlier life when she and her husband went to see every show in town.

“That was beautiful. It felt like he was there with me, with David when he was alive,” she said.

“We went to all those shows and enjoyed ourselves.”

Ms Costello clapped her hands and moved in her seat during the virtual reality performance, and it was so real she cried a few tears when talking about it afterwards.

“I just…