Christmas concert that brings back childhood memories
Pic by Andre Perera
Christmas is an important time of the year for Dmitri Gunatilake. In fact, she starts getting excited for the season with the first cold nip of the October/ November weather. “It’s the one time of the year where people are always happy,” she smiles. This year, Dmitri ushers in the festive season with a Christmas recital, celebrating Christmas music together with several other guest performers.
Next to the holiday cheer (and raisins being dried in anticipation for cake mixing) she also finds herself in the audience at almost every carol service around Colombo. Music has always been an integral part of Dmitri’s personality. While studying at Bishop’s College, she was leader of the school choir and a vocal student of the late Ruwani Seimon and later Menaka De Fonseka Sahabandu. Many know Dmitri from her major roles with the Workshop Players in productions such as Evita, Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music as well as other shows with Silent Hands and Jehan Aloysius.
Last August saw Dmitri’s first solo recital where she presented a repertoire that encompassed jazz, Broadway and classical. This December, however it’s the familiar Christmas classics that she hopes will take audiences back in time to their childhood, happy family memories and the festive spirit.
Christmas music is a must have in her own home to the point where she needs to be reminded to lower the volume. The recital will be a mix of traditional carols and more modern Christmas tunes. “They remind me of my own childhood,” she recalls, going back to her first school carol service where her sister accompanied the choir. In keeping with school tradition “O Holy Night was sung as a solo, backed by the choir.” Dmitri still remembers that moment when she announced that she too would one day sing that. “That was before I knew I could sing,” she smiles.
Audiences may recall Dmitri in shows such as ‘Christmas Carol’ and ‘A Christmas Wish’ where she both starred and assisted in music direction. Dmitri’s background with directing school events stems from her passion for working for children. Last year’s show found her giving back to the Child Development Clinic Professional Unit of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. This year’s recital will be in aid of the ‘Pibidena Kekulu’ fund of the Cancer Care Association Sri Lanka. Initiated by the generous donation of Prof. Manouri Senanayake, it is a relatively new fund designed to support the education of children of cancer victims and currently providing monthly scholarships for about 40 such children.
With many Christmas shows this December, Dmitri wanted to make sure that her programme is both engaging and entertaining. Putting herself in the audience’s shoes, she says “if I was in the audience what would I want to hear”. The one hour twenty minute programme will include guest performers such as the choirs of Menaka De Fonseka Sahabandu as well as a choir consisting of past Bishopian choristers. Backed by a live band of piano, cello, violins, organs and drums and performing with singers who make up her extended musical family, she hopes that when audiences walk through the doors “they know that Christmas is here”.
A Recital by Dmitri Gunatilake- An Evening of Christmas Melodies will be held on December 1 at 7.30 p.m. at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort. Tickets priced at Rs. 1500 and 1000 are available at Nelu’s Advertising in Nugegoda or Kent’s in Colpetty. Proceeds from the event will go towards the ‘Pibidena Kekulu’ fund of the Cancer Care Association
Sri Lanka.