Dmitri returns to the stage with songs of hope
This Easter Sunday, soprano Dmitri Gunatilake has some good news to share. Come Friday, April 29, she will be performing in public after three years, this time presenting a soulful evening of Gospel songs.
“Music, I think, is a universal language which somehow brings joy to everyone at any given time – if anyone’s sad, happy or frustrated, usually people go to a song,” says Dmitri who became a recognised figure in Colombo’s theatre scene following notable roles in productions such as The Sound of Music (2008) where she played Maria von Trapp, The Phantom of the Opera (2014) – Christine Daae, and Evita (2012) where she was Eva Peron. Having performed multiple genres in her solo concerts including Broadway, classical, jazz and pop, her upcoming performance titled, ‘You will be found’ will be a departure from the more thematically dramatic concerts Dmitri has become known for.
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- Shalintha Rodrigo
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- Rehan Almeida
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- Tiyanie and Menaka
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- Dmitri: A concert to inspire people in these difficult times. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
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- Dmitri during a performance. Pic by Sanjeewa Weerasinghe
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- Dhanuksha Seneviratne
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- Charith Fernando
Gospel is the genre she will be performing for audiences for the first time. Among the 13 songs she will present are ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ –a favourite of numerous singers over the years including Andrea Bocelli, ‘I will follow him’ from the 1992 movie Sister Act and ‘When you believe’ from the 1998 animated movie ‘The Prince of Egypt’.
Dmitri found inspiration in the Tony award-winning Broadway musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ which premiered in 2015 –her show takes its name from one of the songs from the musical’s soundtrack. Centring on ‘inspirational and motivational’ songs, she had planned it for 2020 but following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, it had to be postponed. “It’s nerve wracking,” says Dmitri on returning to the stage since her last solo concert ‘A Million Dreams’ in 2019.
She adds, “I feel doing a concert like this with such inspirational words and songs, subconsciously, people will feel better and feel a little bit of hope. I feel I can give them some relief for one evening in the midst of the stress everyone is going through right now.”
On her beginnings in music Dmitri jokingly admits, “I was forced into it”, relating how her mother’s solution to her constant singing around the house was to develop her hobby through singing lessons. At 13, Dmitri began lessons with the late veteran music director Ruwani Seimon and went on to train with another of Colombo’s prominent music directors, Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu under whose guidance she went on to gain an LTCL of Trinity College London (Singing Recital). “Aunty Ruwani completely got me out of my shell. She made me the performer I am today – she taught me how to perform a song, how to bring it out and act a song and Aunty Menaka helped me develop my technique. They were both amazing teachers, who went beyond teaching and became friends who were there for me anytime and for anything.”
Now a full-time singer and vocal coach since transitioning from her career as an attorney-at-law in 2019, Dmitri began her own journey as a teacher once she completed her formal education at Bishop’s College. Her first set of pupils were two–three-year-olds at a preschool but now, 15 years later she teaches singers of all ages. “I think teaching is not just learning a song and singing it; there is a discipline that comes with it just like a sport – you have to exercise every day. You have to have that discipline to take care of your voice. I think that discipline in singing can help with discipline in life,” she says.
Dmitri will be accompanied by Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu on keyboards, Dhanuksha Seneviratne on keyboards, Tiyanie Sahabandu on violin, Shalintha Rodrigo on bass and Charith Fernando on drums. She will also be joined by The Menaka Singers as well as some of Dmitri’s own pupils and former classmates from Bishop’s College. The show will also feature Rehan Almeida as guest performer.
In keeping with COVID-19 safety guidelines, social distancing will be upheld at the recital’s venue with limited numbers in each row and masks to be worn throughout.
‘You will be found’ will take place at 7.30 p.m. for a duration of one hour and 15 minutes on April 29 at St. Joseph’s College Church, 45 Subhadrarama Lane, Nugegoda. Tickets are priced at Rs. 1500.
Contact 0718935301 or 0776465171
to purchase tickets.
Follow Dmitri’s Instagram for more information @dmitri_gunatilake
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