Italian, Lankan venture brings forth a feast of opera
National Unity Orchestra in its debut performance
“It will be a unique and emotional occasion in which the universal language of music will create a moment of harmony uniting the artistic mastery of Italy and Sri Lanka,” said Italian ambassador Paola Andrea Barlolli looking forward to the feast of Opera that the Embassy is presenting this June.
The internationally renowned conductor Maestro Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli, will conduct ‘Homage to Great Italian Opera’ with the “first instruments” of the Festival Internazionale di Mezza Estate and soprano Silvana Froli, sharing the stage with the National Unity Orchestra of Sri Lanka and reputed local artists the De Lanerolle Brothers on June 6 at Nelum Pokuna.
“It is a real privilege for me to present this Homage to the Grand Italian Opera, a solemn concert under the direction of Master Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli, énfant prodige of the Italian Opera and one of the youngest and most talented conductors in the International panorama,” said the Italian ambassador.
The programme will relive the music of the most important Italian composers.
The ambassor expressed his appreciation of chief sponsor, Cargills, the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo, media sponsor Wijeya Publications and AOD for their support. The concert is part of “Italian Week in Sri Lanka”, a calendar of events which will take place from June 4 to 8, celebrating the artistic and cultural richness of Italy with a comprehensive experience via design, fashion, cinema and music.
Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli
Born in 1985, the brilliant young Conductor Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli studied piano, experimental composition and opera at the Conservatory of Music “A. Casella” in Aquila, and then continued in his specialization both in in Italy and abroad. He is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the “International Festival of Midsummer”. He is an Italian and Canonic Law graduate Magna cum laude; a PhD in Canonic Law with a thesis written in Latin; and a PhD in Penal Law at the University of Rome. He is lawyer of the “Foro di Roma” and the youngest lawyer of the “Rota Romana” Apostolic Court in the Vatican.
He has directed numerous Italian and international productions including “Norma” at the Greek Theatre of Syracuse, “The Barber of Seville” at the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, “Nabucco” at the Ancient Theatre of Excavations of Pompei, “Traviata” at the Massimo Theatre of Pescara, “Madama Butterfly” and “La Boheme” with the Puccini Foundation at the “Ruben Dario” National Theatre of Managua in Nicaragua, “Cinderella” at the National Theatre of Mongolia, “Nabucco” and “Aida” at the Opera House of Belgrade, “La Bohème” at the Romanian National Opera in Cluj – Napoca and “Madama Butterfly” at the National Opera Theatre of Baku – Azerbaijan.
Lined up for this year are “La Forza del Destino, “Othello”, “Tosca”, “Un Ballo in Maschera”at the National Theatre of Belgrade, “Trittico” (Tabarro, Nun Angelica, Gianni Schicchi) at the Puccini Grand Theatre of Torre del Lago, “Werter” and “Trovatore” at the Opera Theatre of the State of Georgia, “Madama Butterfly” at the National Opera Theatre of Plovdiv – Bulgaria, “Madama Butterfly” at the Municipal Theatre of Casale Monferrato, and “La Bohème” at the Opera Theatre of Stara Zagora – Bulgaria.
In January 2019 he will direct the new production of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” with costumes by Renato Balestra for the 150 years of the National Theatre in Belgrade.
Silvana Froli
Soprano Silvana Froli has been directed in operas and concerts by such Masters as Zubin Mehta, Valerio Galli, Ivan Ciampa, Alberto Veronesi, Fabio Mastrangelo, Jacopo Sipari of Pescasseroli, Miguel Perez Sierra, Mauro Roveri, and Cem Mansur.
Her repertoire includes the roles of CioCio San in Madam Butterfly, Mimì in The Bohème, Tosca in the homonymous opera by Puccini, Manon in Manon Lescaut, Turandot in the homonymous Opera by Puccini, Suor Angelica in the homonymous Opera by Puccini, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Isabeau in the homonymous Opera by Mascagni, Zanetto in the homonymous Opera by Mascagni, Elisabetta of Valois in Don Carlo, Maddalena of Coigny in Andrea Chénier, Aida in the homonymous Opera by Verdi, and Abigail in Nabucco.
She is currently working with the Opera House of Florence, the Foundation of the Festival Pucciniano of Torre del Lago, the Giglio Theatre in Lucca, the Massimo Theatre of Palermo, the Bellini Theatre of Catania, the “TeatroRegio” of Parma, the Verdi Theatre of Pisa, the Goldoni Theatre of Livorno, the Greek Theatre of Taormina, the Roman Theatre of Aspendos, the Hermitage Opera Theatre of St. Petersburg , the “Musikverein” of Vienna, the Opera Theatre of Skopje, the Ruben Dario National Theatre of Managua, the Opera House of Damascus, the Verdi Theatre of Busseto, the Magnani Theatre of Fidenza, and the MOA International Opera of Montecatini.
Sri Lanka’s National Unity Orchestra
The setting up of a United Orchestra was the brainchild of the De Lanerolle Brothers. The Orchestra will with time facilitate and offer a platform for players from all parts of the country to join and express themselves.
The Orchestra, from its early roots, has an Italian legacy, as it was conducted by Italian Battista Pradal in a soft opening with a Sacred Music Programme in 2017 at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour. This programme though marks the debut of the National Unity Orchestra (NUO) under the direction of Maestro Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli, in its inaugural season with a programme of all Italian Opera.
De Lanerolle Brothers
Singers Rohan and Ishan De Lanerolle need little introduction to local audiences. They have graced many concert halls individually and together around the globe and are reputed for their versatility which sees them perform with ease in all genres including Classical, sacred, Broadway and pop.
The concert is free and open to all. Those interested in attending are requested to obtain their tickets by registering with https://www.eventbrite.com/e/homage-to-the-granditalian-opera-tickets46140146420?aff=es2