An evening that showcased a range of talent
The senior choir in ‘Volare’. Pix by Ajith Perera
‘Ablaze with compassion’ a concert presented by the students of St. Bridget’s Convent and directed by Priyanthi SeneviratneVandort was an evening of music, song and dance filled with colour and passion. The audience was delightfully entertained on September 17 and 18 by the junior and senior choirs.
Starting off the concert with a prayer and lighting of the oil lamp, both choirs sang a collection of hymns and upped the tempo with the popular songs of Abba, BeeGees and the Beatles as well as songs from the musicals, The Sound of Music and the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The senior and junior choirs together sang Eric Clapton’s ‘Tears in heaven’ in memory of schoolmate Nabehaa Salie. Mesmerizing were the renditions of ‘I want to love you more’ performed by the choir leader Shenaalie Dias and deputy choir leader Onella Perera and ‘The Prayer’ by Celine Dion sung by Deana Perera and Mariella Vandort.
The two acapella groups, a quartet singing, ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story were well received and the young choristers also showed off their dance moves in hits from the Gypsy Kings ‘ Volare’ and ‘Bamboleo’ which were choreographed by members of the school staff, Hansani Perera and Suchithra Alphonso. The choirs together sealed the musical evening of two and half hours with Andrea Bocelli’s song, Con Te Partiro (to Say Goodbye).
The concert was organised to mark the extraordinary jubilee year of mercy declared by Pope Francis. Proceeds from this concert were dedicated to two causes, to open a fund for the school’s minor staff and also to make a donation for the Congregation of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Sri Lanka.
The Prayer by Mariella Vandort amd Deanna Perera