Soul Sounds choir in Symphony Christmas concerts

Soul Sounds, the award-winning, all-female choir will perform in both upcoming Christmas concerts of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka - the Symphony Christmas Concert on Friday, December 8 and the Family Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 10.

The first half of the Symphony Christmas Concert features popular classical works. It begins with Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, which rejoices in student life and abounds with humour, excitement and lyrical warmth. A delightful excerpt will follow from ‘Rosamund’ by Schubert, a master of enchanting melody and poetic expression.

Then Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu, soprano, will sing the popular Czardas aria from the opera ‘Die Fledermaus’ by Johann Strauss Jr., followed by the Waltz song from Gounod’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Una voce poco fa’ (A little voice in my heart) from Rossini’s ‘Barber of Seville’, which Menaka associates with Maria Callas’s lighter singing. The second half of the concert will feature Christmas works, notably by Leroy Anderson, Berlioz and Adam. The Conductor of the two concerts will be Ajit Abeysekera.

The Family Concert will include some light classical pieces such as Weber’s lovely ‘Invitation to the Dance’, Souza’s stirring ‘Liberty Bell March’ and Leroy Anderson’s catchy ‘Syncopated Clock’. There will be Christmas seasonal favourites - ‘Sleigh Ride’, ‘Jingle Bells Forever’, ‘Winterwonderland’ and ‘Let it Snow’. And the Sing-along for audience and choir will include ‘White Christmas’, ‘Silver Bells’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’. The concert will end with two truly beautiful and contrasted Christmas works – Berlioz’s ‘Shepherds’ Farewell’ and Adam’s ‘O Holy Night’.
Soul Sounds (originally known as the Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya Senior Choir) guided by its Music Director Soundarie David first achieved international standing and reputation in 2004 when they became the First Runner-up in the Youth Choir category at the International Eistedfodd Festival at Llangollen in Wales.

The Symphony Christmas Concert at 7.30 p.m. on December 8 is sponsored by Link Natural Products and the Family Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on December 10 is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank. Both are in aid of the Sunera Foundation.

The concerts are at Ladies’ College Hall and tickets are available from Titus Stores Liberty Plaza or by calling the SOSL office, tel. 2682033.