Entertainment

Menaka to sing in Carmen

by Mahes Perera

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Now in New Delhi and participating in the rehearsals for the performance of Georges Bizet’s popular opera Carmen is the soprano Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu who was formally invited by the Neemrana Foundation. Also participating will be the mezzo soprano Peshali Yapa. Menaka will sing the role of Frasquita while Peshali will play Mercedes.

The successful staging of the opera The Pearl Fishers here in Sri Lanka has opened the doors for talent in our classical music scene and it is an honour for Menaka. The opera will be staged at the Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi from April 17-19.

Menaka who left for New Delhi on March 23 with Peshali is extraordinarily happy that she is not alone in the performance. The Menaka Singers too have been invited to perform and the choir will leave on April 10 to New Delhi.

The choir comprises Eriko Perera, Tahanee Aluwihare, Andrina de Mel, Dushyanth Aluwihare, Sharmila Panditharatne, Sureka Amerasinghe, Laknath Seneviratne, Yohan Pieris, Geethika Cooray and Milinda Perera.One of the most popular operas Carmen is set in Spain and is in three acts.

Sixty Indian and Sri Lankan singers, seven dancers and twenty French artistes will band together for this Indian premiere conducted by the French Claire Lavacher and directed by Patricia Panton, resident producer and director of the Monte Carlo Opera.

Carmen the lead role will be played by Elsa Levy from Paris, the others are Don Jose by Franck Asparte from France. Micaela will be played by Aude Priya Engel, and Morales by Vikrant Subramaniam both of whom were in Sri Lanka for The Pearl Fishers.

Prabhavee - debut violin concert

It took some time to become a reality the debut violin solo concert by W.J. Upali and today it is happening at the Galle Town Hall. W.J. Upali’s concert Prabhavee will commence at 3.30 p.m. and he is happy that he will be able to entertain the audience with his music.

He has been in the Sinhala music scene for quite some time, and from last year he became a permanent member of the SLBC Orchestra. “My programme for the concert contains popular Sinhala, Hindi and English melodies, and I will be supported by an orchestra of professional and well known musicians,” says W.J. Upali.

An old boy of the Weligama Sidhartha Vidyalaya and Piliyandala Central College, W.J. Upali commenced his music education under R.D.R. Yapa at Sidhartha Vidyalaya and later came under the tutelage of the well known veteran musician Shelton Premaratne.

In 1992 he joined SLBC as a volunteer artist and two years later he was made a relief artist with the SLBC Orchestra.

He joined the Ruhunusevaya and played there for quite some time before he got the opportunity to join permanently the SLBC Orchestra.He has participated in many popular music programmes and recordings both in Radio and TV. Some of them are Hadibadi geetha, Hahapura, Hansavila, Nugasevana and Kalasa to name a few.

“There are many music lovers today who like to listen to instrumental music and not to a musical show with heavy electronic sounds” was W.J. Upali’s parting shot. How true!

M.P.

MAGSAL - the ‘in thing’

MAGSAL is the “in thing” today in the entertainment scene. And if you are wondering what it is all about - it’s “meet and greet sing a long” conducted once a month by none other than Mary Anne David. All that is needed is a desire to sing and anyone over 40 years of age can participate in MAGSAL.

Andrew and Mary Anne David the well-known producer and director of concerts and plays have over the years felt that a segment of the society has been overlooked as it did not have the time, money or opportunity to enjoy the euphoria of performing.

“In the years of my career in music I’ve come across lots of people who cannot fit into today’s entertainment. So I thought I should organise a club get the people to meet once a month and let them sing their hearts out. Especially those who are living in ‘homes’ or who are alone at home.

The inaugural MAGSAL was held on February 20 and you’d be amazed at the number of people who turned up sang over 25 songs, moved, clapped, acted had coffee and chatted. Fellowship of the highest order surfaced that evening with this segment of society which sparkled as it relived its younger days,” informs Mary Anne.

Now the third get together will be held on Saturday April 19, at the same venue at the Hall of the Christian Reformed Church, Wellawatte (near Arethusa Lane) from 5.00 p.m. for three hours.

What do you hope to achieve by introducing MAGSAL? “I want to bring out more people living in ‘homes’ and give them the opportunity to enjoy themselves. In March most of them didn’t want to go back home - they wanted to stay out late! You can imagine what they are missing!.

There were some who were spurred on to get out their violins, guitars and clarinets and rehearse. That I thought is a good sign - I’m giving them some thing to live for.”

Take a break...

If in the realm of your world hits such as Save The Last Dance, Tequila Sunrise, Quando Quando or Irish Coffee sit on the top rungs of your chart show - then take a break at the Beira Lounge, Trans Asia.

It’s live entertainment Sunday to Saturday - from 7.30 p.m. to 1.00 a.m. Mondays its the inimitable duo Honorine and Yohan who give you a great start to a new week.

Tuesdays its classic backed by strings, percussion and keyboards. The dazzling Wathsala with Manoj sing favourites of yesteryear including jazz and blues. Warren and Rozette draw you into their distinctive web of songs on Thursdays while Inner Sounds led by Shyami rock you through the night on Fridays.

Saturdays belong to the dynamic Tribe with Tilak and Sureshini while C&C with their toe tapping sounds makes complete your Sunday evening, with music and food of your choice.

Chords cool and fiery

Before you hit the cool chimes for your annual holiday season, soak in the cool artistry of our musicians when they gather today to exchange impromptu creative chords with one another. It’s an opportunity that should not be missed. All this will happen at the CR & FC from 1.30 p.m. onwards.

Bassist Basil Paiva will lead a group with a flexible pianist new on the scene Nalin de Silva supported by Royle Andrews - drums and vocals by Kanthi and Judy de Silva. The featured band will be led by none other than pianist Harsha Makalanda, with Alston Joachim - bass and Shiraaz Nooramith - drums.

They will be supported by Antionette de Alwis and Rodney Robot on vocals. Sri Lankan musicians who were working contracts in the Middle East are scheduled to participate.

New Year Fare

Enjoy the traditional kiribath, kavun, kokis and other sweetmeats that are synonymous with New Year Festivities at all the leading hotels in Colombo and in the outstations.

Also available at Galadari are the Avurudu holiday packages with discounts on food, beverages and discounts for children under twelve years with no charge for food for kids under six years.

At the outstation hotels the traditional games-pillow fighting, climbing of the greasy pole, tug-o-war and the other exciting races are being organised for the participation of guests.