Sunday Times 2
Kishani sings for Visakha
Colombo music lovers have a date to keep: Come May 11 South Asia’s star soprano and Sri Lanka’s darling on the operatic stage, Kishani Jayasinghe will present a concert for a cause close to her heart- her alma mater, Visakha Vidyalaya.
A fitting tribute it would seem from this celebrated former pupil of Sri Lanka’s largest leading girls’ school. During her illustrious career at Visakha Vidyalaya which spanned 13 years, Kishani was the Head Prefect, captain of the Debate and Tennis teams, Choir leader, Best All Round Junior and Senior Student and the school’s first Rowing Colourswoman, amongst other things. A flamboyant and popular student, Kishani graciously accepted an invitation by the Old Girls’ Association to do a Charity Benefit Concert with all proceeds going towards the development of the school.
“I am largely a product of my school. Apart from the very important and obvious familial influence, much of the person and character that I am today, was moulded within these walls,” says Kishani.”The beauty of going to a school like this is you learn to cope with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. In addition to the obvious academic lessons, it also teaches you to strive for excellence at all times, whilst preserving your honour and retaining your humility. I simply loved school. I have such extraordinary memories of being a student, and all of it, for free. What better thank you than being able to ‘Sing for Visakha?”
Perhaps one of the most significant features of this performance will be the venue itself: the School Hall. “What better way to pay tribute to thirteen glorious years of my life, than to sing about it from where it all happened,” she says.
Accompanied by Soundarie David-Rodrigo on the piano, Surekha Amerasinghe on the flute, Satish Cassie Chetty on the violin and Shamistha De Silva on the cello, Kishani and her ‘S Team’, will present a programme on the lighter side, popular songs from opera, musicals and the movies sung in her signature operatic style.