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| Sunday, 7 December 2003 |
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Intimations of eternity! A rare collection of performances The rainbow comes and goes, - Wordsworth The verse, on the cover of the CD 'Intimations of Eternity' captures your immediate attention while the music is a rare collection of performances by Fr. Claver (tenor) with Lorraine Abeysekera, (soprano) Lyle Godridge (bass-baritone) and the St. Mary's Choral Group. All tracks despite the passage of time have been mastered with a great deal of expertise by Neranjan de Silva, organist. The song's on the CD are arias from operas, well known folk and Neapolitan songs, Mexican and Spanish songs and Christmas carols. Intimation of Eternity contains duets by Lorraine Abeysekera and Fr. Claver with the St. Mary's Choral Group, Hymns and songs by the group with Fr. Claver and songs by Lylie Godridge and duets with Fr. Claver. Fr. Claver in his introduction rightly says that the album contains 'flashbacks of reminiscence and remembrance - going as far back as 1972, when in our farewell concert to Lorraine Abeysekera we presented the St. Mary's Choral Group with Lorraine (soprano), myself (tenor), Lylie Godridge (bass-baritone), Prof. Valentine Basnayake (piano) and Eileen Prins (violin) the then leader of the Symphony Orchestra. From that concert held at St. Peter's College Hall we have on this CD 'Parigi O Cara' from Verdi's 'La Traviata', 'Tornami' from Donizetti's 'Don Pasquale' and 'Miserere' (a tenor-soprano duet with choir) from Verdi's 'Il Travatore.' Lorraine Abeysekera before she migrated to Australia in 1972 was an acknowledged 'prime donna' in Sri Lanka's classical music singing world. Gracious and encouraging and never condescending she often sang with the St. Mary's Choral Group even when they were new, inexperienced and trying to make a mark. When she passed away in 1982 the Choral Group under the direction of Father Claver presented a concert in her memory at the Lionel Wendt Theatre with Prof. Valentine Basnayake (piano), Mary-Anne David (soprano), Iranganie Goonesinghe (contralto), Lylie Godridge (baritone), Nimal Senanayake (bass) and Fr. Claver (tenor). St. Mary's Choral Group which was founded in 1968, soon, under the inspiration of Fr. Claver became to be recognised as the number one choral group in Sri Lanka. The choir presented many concerts most of them being held at St. Peter's College Hall. '20 years in Harmony' was celebrated in a concert at the then Ramada Renaissance in 1988, and then came '25 years in Harmony' in 1993 which was staged at the Hotel Lanka Oberoi. The late Lylie Godridge (baritone) sang with the Choral group and the accompanists at this concert were Prof. Valentine Basnayake (piano) and Neranjan de Silva (organ). Selections from that concert, beautifully sung are on the CD which should find a place in your collection. The traditional 'Ave Regina Coelitum', 'Thy Word', 'Over the Rainbow', 'Juanita', 'O My Papa', 'Tiritomba', 'Funiculi Funicula', 'Cielito Lindo', 'La Montanara', 'Carnival of Venice' are some of the selections. Also included are the two Chritmas carols 'Silent Night' and 'O Holy Night' the tour-de-force of the Choral Group during the festive season. It took a long time in coming out, this CD 'Intimations of Eternity' and we are quite confident as expressed by Fr. Claver that the 'Nostalgic memories will enrich the lives of all who once met and sang together in harmony and fellowship.' |
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