SLO's Verdi Gala - 24 October 2013

Even before the Singapore Lyric Opera's new production of La Traviata opens (THIS COMING FRIDAY!!!), they are already planning their next outing: an all-Verdi tribute at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 24 October 2013. Stars appearing are soprano Jessica Chen, mezzo Anna Koor, and Australians Jason Wasley (Tenor)and Christopher Hillier (baritone). Darrell Ang will lead the SLO Orchestra and Chorus. Here's more information:

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This October, come and experience the timeless music of Giuseppe Verdi – the father of Italian opera – at the Verdi Gala Concert by the Singapore Lyric Opera  (SLO).  Set to take place on 24 October 2013, 7:30 pm at the Esplanade Concert Hall, this concert is a bicentenary of Verdi and will feature music from some of his most unforgettable operas.

A Man of Musical and Political Influence 
An Italian Romantic composer, Verdi is one of the most influential opera composers of  the 19th century.  His  operas  remain the  gold  standard  of  characterisation, stagecraft  and  musical  beauty,  with  works  such  as  La  Traviata,  Aida  and Rigoletto remaining part of the yearly repertoire in many opera houses worldwide.

Verdi is renowned for raising Italian opera to greater heights with his natural gift for creating  beautiful  and  haunting  melodies.  The  universal  themes  and  subjects  of  his opera  –  love,  jealousy,  hatred,  envy  and  sacrifice,  amongst  others  –  continue  to speak to audiences, regardless of the time period or cultural setting.

While his popularity largely stemmed from his musical accomplishments, many of his operas were also thought to have political subtexts. This created a political status for Verdi and he subsequently became a figurehead for the Italian unification. Verdi died after suffering  a  stroke  in  1901  and  was  given  a  fitting  farewell,  with  his  funeral remaining the largest public assembly in Italian history.

Christopher Hillier

An Evening To Remember 

The concert will be conducted by Darrell Ang and will feature soprano Jessica Chen, and mezzo‐soprano Anna Koor. Also lending their voices to this celebration are tenor Jason  Wasley  and  baritone  Christopher  Hillier,  two  gems  among  some  of  the  best  tenor  and  baritone  voices  in  Australia.  The  SLO  Orchestra  and  Opera  Chorus  will accompany  the  singers.  Some  of  the  songs  that  will  be  performed  at  the  concert include  Witches'  Chorus  from  Macbeth,  Bella  figlia  dell'amore  from  Rigoletto  and Brindisi from La Traviata.

Ng Siew Eng, the General Manager of SLO, said, “SLO is pleased to celebrate Verdi’s 200th birthday.  The  programme  is  specially  chosen  to  give  the  audience  some  of Verdi’s  most  celebrated  works.  These  songs  were  specially  chosen  as  they  are likened  to  ‘hits’  in  the  opera  world  and  represent  some  of  the  best  works  in  the opera genre.”

Jason Wasley

Said Jason Wasley, “It is with great pleasure that I shall be singing in Singapore for the first time! I love travelling  and  performing  in  different  countries  and  immersing  myself  in  their culture! The greatest part of my trip to Singapore will definitely be singing the wonderful music by Giuseppe Verdi with  SLO.  It is wonderful that we get to celebrate the life of this incredible composer in such a delightful setting. I'm looking forward to performing some amazing arias and duets from La Traviata, Luisa Miller and La Forza del Destino. Verdi's music is electrifying and definitely gives the audience that spine-tingling sensation; this is a concert not to be missed”.

Christopher Hillier concurred, saying, “I am very much looking forward to singing in Singapore for the first time and to do so with an all Verdi programme is ideal. Verdi is the king of opera for me, with the music vividly telling the story and supporting the immediacy of the drama. To sing Rigoletto, Germont and a  host  of  other  roles  is  a dream for any baritone and is really the pinnacle of the entire baritone repertory.”

Programme:
Overture to La Forza del destino
Oh, dischiuso e il Firmamento (Nabucco) mezzo
Ecco l'orrido campo (Un Ballo in Maschera) soprano
E gettata la mia sorte (Attila) baritone
Quando le sere al placido (Luisa Miller) tenor
Bella figlia dell'amore (Rigoletto) soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone
Witches' Chorus (Macbeth)
Ballet music (Aida)

INTERMISSION

Overture to I Vespri Siciliani
De miei bollenti spiriti..o mio rimorso (La Traviata) tenor
Di Provenza il mar (La Traviata) baritone
Gypsy Chorus (La Traviata)
Rataplan (La Forza del destino) mezzo
Pace, pace,mio Dio (La Forza del destino) soprano
Solenne in quest’ora (La Forza del destino) tenor, baritone
Brindisi (La Traviata) soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, female chorus

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Check out their SISTIC Page for tickets. Early-bird discounts till 20 September!