For the first time, a complete Mahler symphony to be performed here
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The orchestra returns to stage with “The Heavenly Life”. Pic by Sagara Lakmal de Mel
On March 16 at 7 p.m., the Gustav Mahler Society of Colombo (GMSC), presents “The Heavenly Life”, a performance of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Fourth Symphony, a milestone in many ways, as it will be the first time a complete Mahler symphony is performed on Sri Lankan soil.
Having presented several Sri Lankan premieres of Mahler’s vocal repertoire in Sri Lanka, Mezzo-Soprano, Rachel Halliday, who currently serves as a vocal coach at the prestigious Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman, returns to Colombo as the soloist for the concert with Srimal Weerasinghe, the Chief Conductor and Music Director of the GMSC wielding the baton. Under his leadership, the Gustav Mahler Orchestra of Colombo will breathe life into Mahler’s celestial Fourth Symphony.
Rachel Halliday. Pic by Malith Miranda
The concert is also a celebration of international collaboration, with several artists from Japan and India joining the local musicians.
The GMSC, established in 2018, has been a beacon of change in the Sri Lankan classical music scene. Its founders, Srimal Weerasinghe, Vidhurinda Samaraweera, Rachel Halliday, and Amanda Halliday, were determined to break the barriers that restricted classical music’s accessibility to a wider audience. Their vision is to establish a professional orchestra in Sri Lanka that is not only breaking new ground in performance but also in education and outreach.
“The Heavenly Life” is the 2023/24 season finale of the Gustav Mahler Orchestra of Colombo.
Tickets for “The Heavenly Life” are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre Box Office, with prices ranging from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 1,000
(balcony unreserved).
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