“Symphony for a Child”: The very best of its kind
View(s):The much awaited musical annual variety performance “Symphony for a Child” was held at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on November 4. An acclaimed concert pianist and music teacher, Mrs. Sirima Jayasekera has been the livewire behind it. Resident in the UK she spends quite some time in Sri Lanka and has undertaken this type of philanthropic activities, in England as well as in Sri Lanka, for at least two decades. Mrs. Jay, as she is affectionately known, has organised this event in London as well as in Colombo for several years.
The Sri Lankan concert brings together a plethora of talented musicians in a magnificent spectacle of music, song and dance. The proceeds have always been used for the benefit for the children of Sri Lanka. This year it was to provide relief and support for children affected by HIV/AIDS, the assistance being channelled through the AIDS Foundation of Lanka for the very many projects for children initiated and maintained by the Foundation.
The Chief Guest was Dr. Chris Nonis, former High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in UK and the Guests of Honour were Consultant Paediatrician Dr. B.J.C.Perera and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Sarojini Perera, former Director of Research and Programmes of the AIDS Foundation of Lanka.
Dr. Pramilla Senanayake of the AIDS Foundation of Lanka made the introduction and the event began with a beautifully arranged and sparkling version of our National Anthem, by the Saint Cecilia’s Choir of Saint Joseph’s College, the award-winning boys’ choir. The choir presented a number of classical, semi-classical and popular songs that kept the audience spellbound interspersed with a few solos by the talented choristers. It was also wonderful to see some of the senior boys of the choir taking turns to conduct the singing with gusto and commitment.
Yeran Aturupane presented a classical piano recital Nocturne in C sharp minor by Chopin followed by the Violin Duo of Darshana Amarasinghe and Manoj Wijayawardena who presented Largo ma nontanto from Concerto in D minor by Johann Bach. These were greatly appreciated by the audience. A change to the tempo and cultural diversity came next as Amithya Liyanage provided two Japanese presentations, Yume to Hazakura, and King by Lauren Aquilina.
‘Choral Spectrum’ then presented a mix of favourite Sinhala, Tamil and English songs as well as their own original compositions with magnificent harmony. This was followed by the Ravibandhu and Samanthi Dance Ensemble stylising a novel dance item ‘Athenian Damsels’.
The event continued with Yeran Aturupane on the violin this time with Introduction and Polonaise by Carl Bohm. It was followed by Rushane Fernando on the classical guitar presenting Prelude No.1 in E minor by Heiter Villa-Lobos. Soprano Ridmavi Anthony providing a superb vocal rendering of VoiChe Sappette-Operatic Aria by Wolfgang Mozart. The Ravibandu and Samanthi Dance Ensemble came on again to present a traditional Kandyan dance item, MathraNavaya.
Finally the Saint Cecilia’s Choir of Saint Joseph’s College returned to present a fitting grand finale of an exciting mix of semi-pop arrangements from the songs of ABBA, Dr. Zhivago, to Elvis Presley and Andrea Boccelli. Francis D’Almeida, choirmaster and compere for the show encouraged the appreciative audience to join in a sing-along which had a very enthusiastic response.
It was noteworthy that all the artistes performed completely free of charge. Mrs. Jayasekera thanked everybody involved in the production and reiterated that she keeps doing it not for any personal accolades but to bring glory to God above.
A very special edition of Symphony for a Child will be held on October 20, 2019 to commemorate the 10th death anniversary of Mr. Brighty Jayasekera, the much loved husband of Mrs. Sirima Jayasekera.