Gehan to give us ‘Music from the Heart’
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Well known baritone Gehan Cooray will perform once again at the “Music from the Heart” concert to be held at the Bishop’s College Auditorium on January 20. All proceeds from the show will go towards the Ostomy Association of Sri Lanka, which works tirelessly towards addressing the needs of patients who are living with stoma surgeries and ostomy bags.The concert will feature an eclectic mix of Classical and Broadway pieces, with Gehan in collaboration with pianist Soundarie David Rodrigo, and Dinushka Jayawickrema (soprano) being featured as a guest performer. Gehan’s last concert in aid of the Ostomy Association was a great success, which resulted in substantial funds being raised for the organization.
Gehan specializes in the Bel Canto singing technique – this distinct singing style requires immense control of breath whilst maintaining a beautiful tone, with legato (smooth) lines as well as florid coloratura (vocal ornamentation). “Music from the Heart” will feature a marvellous collection of songs and arias from timeless operas and musicals such as Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”, Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly”, “Les Miserables”, “My Fair Lady”, “Camelot”, Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes”, “Annie” and many more. Of special interest to cinema buffs will be songs from the silver screen such as “Where Do I Begin?” and Jerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight”, as well as perennial favourites of all music lovers such as “Plaisir d’amour”, Rukmani Devi’s “Olu malehi sudo sudo” and “Strangers in the Night”, amidst a number of surprises.
An old boy of St. Joseph’s College, Gehan’s Sri Lankan vocal coaches were Francis d’Almeida, and Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu who immersed him in the vibrant world of opera as a teenager. He then went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degrees in Theatre, Drama and Psychology from the prestigious University of Southern California. He has made his mark as an actor, singer, producer and director in both Sri Lanka and Los Angeles where he currently resides. Gehan sings in Italian, French, German, Latin, English and Sinhalese, and always emphasizes the importance of diction alongside consummate musicianship.
Tickets for ‘Music from the Heart’ can be purchased at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.