It was a challenge for the
Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and under the renowned expertise of the
international conductor Gregory Rose, Verdi’s Requiem for Four Solo
Voices, Chorus and Orchestra made a tremendous impact at the capacity
packed Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Colombo on Saturday,
March 7.
The energetic Chairman of the Board of Governors, Sharmini Wettimuny
must be applauded for her commitment in ensuring that the concert
receives the appreciation it got.
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(L-R):
Kishani, Gregory Rose, Dhilan, Amar and Gayathri
photographed at the Hilton Colombo. |
The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka augmented by fourteen
international guest musicians under the baton of Gregory Rose was a joy
to listen to. A lot of hard work had gone into the profound performance
and the Sri Lankan musicians were at par with their guests and often
stood out in their artistry.
Mary Anne David, the Chorus Master of the Symphony Orchestra Chorus
has to be congratulated for the wonderful results she had achieved with
the 100 voices, without exaggeration in a such a short time. The
Classical Music scene in Sri Lanka is happy that she has come forward to
direct such a large chorus and we sincerely hope we will have the
opportunity to see her more on stage.
It was a pleasure to hear the solo singers Kishani Jayasinghe -
soprano, Gayathri Patrick - mezzo soprano, Dhilan Gnanadurai - bass and
Amar Muchhala - tenor from Mumbai. The performances of Kishani
Jayasinghe - soprano and Amar Muchhala - tenor overshadowed Gayathri
Patrick - mezzo soprano and Dhilan Gnanadurai - bass.
At a media meeting with the singers two days prior to the concert,
Kishani Jayasinghe said that “Singing for Opera was really hard work.
I’m happy that when I came to London, I did not have to underdo my style
as Mary Anne David had put me on the right track and I’m grateful for
that.
It takes two and a half months to rehearse for an opera and in 2010 I
will be performing in the Marriage of Figaro at London’s Covent Gardens.
I enjoy rehearsing the Requiem, I don’t suffer from nerves and I think
the Orchestra is good and an inspiration for the singers.”
Gayathri Patrick - mezzo soprano who arrived from Australia to take
part in Verdi’s Requiem expressed the fact that it is going to be a
challenge for her and she is looking forward to it. In Australia her
last production was Koanga by Delius to mark the 200th anniversary of
the slave trade. She has been performing piano and voice recitals and
has had good responses. She enjoys her singing and hopes one day she
will be able to play Carmen.
- Mahes
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