Shani Diluka back in Colombo, explores Beethoven’s link with Indian music
July ushers in a curated selection of cinema and music for the French Spring Festival organised by the French Embassy and the network of Alliance Française.
First on the list for July is the free film on July 3. ‘See you up there’ or ‘Au Revoir La-Haut’, written and directed by Albert Dupontel is set right after the end of the First World War and revolves around two con artists. It will be screened free of charge at the Majestic City Cineplex on July 3 at 7 p.m.
A treat awaits classical music fans as wellknown Monaco-based pianist Shani Diluka presents a piano recital in collaboration with Sahana Banerjee and Prabhu Edouard on July 9 at the Bishop’s College Auditorium. As an “exceptional” performer (Figaro) blessed with a “winged virtuosity” (Classica), Shani Diluka establishes a bridge between the East and the West. Born in Monaco of Sri Lankan parents, she trained at the CNSMD in Paris, where she won a first prize. During this period, her meeting with Leon Fleisher shaped her career.
So it was that during her post-grad course, she met Maria Joao Pires, Menahem Pressler and Murray Perahia, all three of whom invited her to work with them. As a soloist, she has played in the biggest venues in the world such as the Teatro La Fenice of Venice, the Sala de Sao Paulo, the Konzerthaus of Vienna…
In Colombo, Shani Diluka will present “Cosmos” at Bishop’s College with Indian musicians Sahana Banerjee on the sitar and Prabhu Edouard on the tabla. “Cosmos” explores the links between Beethoven and Indian music whose mysticism has historically inspired the Viennese composer.
This project will continue in 2020 with a film co-produced by the Philharmonie of Paris for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.
Tickets priced at Rs.1000 are available at the Alliance Française de Kotte and Hilton Colombo.
Wrapping up the French Spring Festival, Jazz band Octave and Anatole will be performing at the Hilton by the Poolside on July 12 at 7 p.m. These French musicians originally based their repertoire on gypsy jazz but now have expanded to American classics and spun their versions of French songs and traditional music. The event is free on registration- please email lea.bayon@ diplomatie.gouv.fr to register.