Italian opera at RBSO
The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will perform the 19th-century Italian opera and operetta favourites during the “Opera Highlights” at the Main Hall of Thailand Cultural Centre on Thursday at 8pm.
Returning to conduct the orchestra in a programme that includes works by Hungarian composer Emmerich Kálmán and Viennese hero Franz Lehár will be Japanese conductor Koji Kawamoto. Joining them will be two eminent Thai singers — tenor Nutthaporn Thammathi and soprano Sassaya Chavalit.
Strauss’ Die Fledermaus Overture will set the stage for Sassaya as she enters with the opulent, intoxicating aria Heia In Den Bergen from Die Csárdásfürstin, then swiftly followed by Nutthaporn for the heroic Freunde, Das Lebenistlebenswert from Giuditta, notable for a quicksilver-like violin solo.
The glowing orchestral textures of the lush-sounding Io Son L’umile Ancella from Adriana Lecouvreur will provide contrast with the drama and tragedy of E Lucevan Le Stelle from Tosca.
The second half will open with Verdi’s La Forza Del Destino Overture and then the irresistible La Donna È Mobile from Rigoletto. Puccini’s heartwarming music will then close the concert with Un Beldì, Vedremo from Madama Butterfly and O Soave Fanciulla from La Bohème.
Nutthaporn studied opera singing at Mozarteum University Salzburg and performed his debut role as Rodolfo in
La Bohème in 2013 and performed the title role of Faust by Gounod with the Budapest Opera House in 2016.
Sassaya graduated from the College of Music at Mahidol University and is currently pursuing a master’s, at Mozarteum University.
After winning the 10th Tokyo International Music Competition for conducting, at the age of 22, Kawamoto has conducted well over 50 orchestras worldwide. Last year he appeared with the RBSO at Suntory Hall, Tokyo, as part of celebrations for the 130th anniversary of Thai-Japanese diplomatic relations.
Tickets cost 300, 700, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 (half-prices for students) and can be purchased from Thai Ticket Major outlets (visit thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-262-3456) and the BSO Office (call 02-255-6617/8).
Visit bangkoksymphony.org.