The Colombo Philharmonic Choir conducted by Manilal Weerakoon will present “La Joie de La Musique” at the Russian Centre on Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. This programme of choral music includes delightful lyrics, excerpts from operas, a cantata, an oratorio and a traditional melody.

The lyrics dwell on themes such as love, both playfully elusive and doomed, the serenity of evening, the exotic life of gypsies, pastoral scenes from the countryside, and episodes from legend and mythology.
The selected composers include Franz Schubert, Gioachino Rossini, G.F. Handel, Joseph Haydn, Johannes Brahms and Camille Saint-Saens.

Manilal Weerakoon conducting the choir,

Among the pieces to be performed are “Dieu! qu’il la fait bon regarder”, (O God! What beauty to behold) by Claude Debussy, “Ziguenerleben” (Gypsy Life) by Robert Schumann, “The Prayer – O for the Wings of a Dove” by Felix Mendelssohn, ‘Eriskay Love Lilt’ a traditional Gaelic song from the Song of the Hebrides and a chorus from Rossini’s opera ‘Semiramide’.

Conductor of the Colombo Philharmonic Choir Manilal Weerakoon, says that the music selected for this concert covers a wide range not only in the number of composers whose works are represented, but also in the types of music that represent different themes, different styles and different moods ranging from the delightfully playful and light-hearted to the austere beauty of ‘Oh be joyful to the Lord’. The songs though conforming to the principles of restrained emotion and discipline of form that characterises classical music, are marked by lively melodies that would appeal to all music lovers.
The Colombo Philharmonic Choir was established on December 6 1955 and has been a leading contributor to Colombo’s choral life ever since, having performed on average two concerts per year. Since its inception the Choir’s strength has fluctuated from 20 to 40 voices.

The Choir’s conductor, Manilal Weerakoon, also a conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka is known for his mastery of the choral idiom and his skill in interpreting compositions. The soloists at this concert will be Minoli Goonewardene (Soprano) and Sanjeev Niles (Baritone). Minoli was trained under the late Lylie Godridge and Sanjeev, a member of the choir since 2002 has performed as a soloist for the Colombo Philharmonic as well as for other choirs. Radhika Abeynaike will provide the accompaniment on the piano

Tickets priced at Rs. 400 will be available at “The Autodrome”, 304, Union Place Colombo 2 and at the entrance on the day of the concert. Please contact Minoli (2729330), Aloma (2738451) or Therese (2716332).