Friday, December 26, 2014

'A Song and a Smile' - Mezzo Recital Fundraiser for Cambodian Children

Join American mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, pianist Iris Koh, guest singer Christopher Lee and the St. Joseph Church Choir in a recital and buffet for only $30, all to benefit a child-care centre in Cambodia. Check out the poster below for more information:



'Poetry and Love' - Recital by Christine Seng


Soprano Christine Seng will be presenting her solo recital on 17 January 2015 with Vincent Chen on Piano and guest artistes Tenor Kee Loi-Seng and Violinist Christina Zhou. Here's more information:

Renée Fleming, Kelli O'Hara sing 'Silver Bells'

Renée Fleming and Broadway diva Kelli O'Hara, Hanna Gawari and Valancciene in the Metropolitan Opera's new production of The Merry Widow, wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!


Sunday, December 21, 2014

La Traviata at La Scala - 2013/2014 Opening Night on 7 Dec 2013

Having watched the entire video from start to finish, I can't imagine what is so particularly controversial about this production that would warrant such fervent booing on opening night (edited out of this video unfortunately). Just that its not dripping in sequins, crystals and faux marble pillars. Sets are pared down and drama directed at inner conflict rather than outward theatrics. Direction was certainly unconventional but is done within and with respect to the text and characters. The three lead cast members' singing was excellent, particularly Diana Damrau of course. No subtitles unfortunately.


Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Piano Spa 7 - 'Moonlight Waves'


If you are feeling tired and emotionally drained, check out this 7th release of the Piano Spa series of piano instrumental music that promises to sooth your weary soul and lift your miserable spirit. The album is available for CD purchase and for download on iTunes. Here's more information:


Presenting the 7th Installment of Singapore's New Age Piano Spa Series

Piano Spa is an anthology of successful New Age Instrumental albums.

The Piano Spa series is a collection of original instrumental compositions that have been described by listeners as “healing”, “relaxing” and “inspiring”.Unknown to many, the Piano Spa series is probably the best-selling Instrumental series to emerge from our very own Singapore.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

SLO Children's Choir's 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' in Review - 13 Dec 2014


I attended a lovely concert by the kids of the SLO Children's Choir on Saturday night. Conducted by Rose Loh and accompanied by Aloysius Foong, the children sang and performed simple choreography in their colourful costumes, taking turns onstage with the Nanyang Children's Choir, conducted by Joyce Beetuan Koh and accompanied by Isaiah Koh,


Sunday, December 14, 2014

'Our Time' by Yellow Chair Productions - 17 to 21 Dec 2014


Yellow Chair Productions presents a musical revue entitled Our Times, featuring an original storyline about the life and times of twenty-somethings, with songs from contemporary musical theatre composers. Here's more information:




Show Details:
17th-21st December 2014
Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 8pm
Sat, Sun: 3pm

Location:
Drama Centre Black Box, 100 Victoria Street,
National Library Building Level 5, Singapore 188064

Cast:
Mohamad Shaifulbahri, Kimberly Chan, Andrew Marko, Adeeb Fazah, Alyssa Lie, Sharon Sum, Ching Shu Yi, Aldafi Adnan Tiara Yap, Chen Meihui

Director: Mohamad Shaifulbahri
Music Director: Aloysius Foong
Choreographer: Kimberly Chan

Our Time - A Musical Revue

Set in a fictional café, Our Time journeys through the lives of a group of twenty-somethings in a musical revue that explores the fears, desires and hopes of a defining period in our lives- the Twenties. The characters sing of their lives, impacted by the happening’s and developments of their town and café, through a pastiche of modern and contemporary musical theatre songs from renowned composers like Stephen Sondheim, Marc Shaiman and Jonathan Larson to new ones like Kerrigan and Lowdermilk, Carner and Gregor and Ryan Scott Oliver. Our Time is a sincere and relevant musical anthology that will make our hearts laugh and cry, leaving us pondering: Are our twenties really the best years of our lives?





More information available at the Events Page!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Dream Academy and RWS's 'Great World Cabaret' - 18 Feb to 17 Mar 2015


After a slew of tacky imported jukebox musicals, its nice to finally get a new production with a local touch at Resorts World Sentosa. Dream Academy and its cast of trademark characters will a brand new show at Resorts World Sentosa in February 2015, recreating the vintage funtimes of the Great World Cabaret. In true RWS style, the stage will be crammed with singers, dancers, comedians and acrobats. Even the stars of yesteryear will come alive once again, including Rose Chan (played by Ms Seong Hui-Xuan), popular Malay folk singer Kartina Dahari (played by Ms Aisyah Aziz) and Singapore's reigning a-go-go and yodeling queen Sakura Teng (played by Ms Joanna Dong). Mark Lee, Broadway Beng Sebastian Tan, Hossan Leong and Judee Tan will take turns to make guest appearances and present stand-up acts.




Check out the Events Page for more information!


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

SLO Children's Choir's 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' - 13 December 2014


The Singapore Lyric Opera Children's Choir will be performing their annual concert this coming Saturday, 13 December 2014 at the Esplanade Concert Hall at 7.30pm. The Nanyang Children's Chorus are also featured as guest performers. Conductor Rose Loh and pianist Aloysius Fong will be on hand to guide the little kiddies. More information including full programme available at the SLO Website:

http://singaporeopera.com.sg/currentseason/1415/choral-concert.php?menugroup=0

Diana Damrau Recording of 'Lucia di Lammermoor'


Here's what I want for Christmas! This new recording also features Joseph Calleja and Ludovic Tézier as Edgardo and Enrico.

Listen to sample clips on the Warner Music website.


Monday, December 8, 2014

'The Last Five Years' Movie Trailer

Here's a first look at the upcoming film of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, hopefully to be making its way to Singapore soon. I fell in love with the musical when Dream Academy staged it earlier this year. It'll be nice to watch another interpretation of it, and see how the film can make a logical narrative of the score's disjointed storytelling.




Wednesday, December 3, 2014

ONE Chamber Choir's 'Seasons: The Earth in Motion' - 7 Dec 2014


The ONE Chamber Choir under the baton of Ms Lim Ai Hooi will present their Esplanade Concert Hall debut with a concert entitled Seasons: The Earth in Motion, as part of the Esplanade's Voices ensemble singing festival. Check out the festival website for more details and see what else is in store:

http://www.voicesfestival.com.sg

Monday, December 1, 2014

Singapore International Violin Competition - 10 to 21 January 2015

Click to enlarge
The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music are proud to be hosts to the inaugural Singapore International Violin Competition (SIVC) happening between 10 to 21 January 2015. Some of the world’s top young violinists will battle it out for prizes of $100,000 cash, exclusive artist representation, a recording contract with Naxos and performance opportunities with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Three Singaporean violinists will be featured in the finals. Check out their official website to find out who these local-born prodigies are!

http://www.singaporeviolincompetition.com