SOSL Pops goes trilingual
SOSL Leader Nilupul Silva
The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL), one of the old- est orchestras in South Asia, will be bringing something very special to the Bishop’s College Auditorium on October 20.
The SOSL Pops Concert is among the fan favourites in their regular line-up, the sold-out auditoriums over the years a testament to its popularity. This year, the SOSL is going one step further with a trilingual programme of popular local songs. Despite the lack of orchestral arrangements for some of them, Sri Lankan musicians have stepped in to fill in these gaps, and the first “SOSL Pops- Trilingual Extravaganza” is ready for audiences.
“We are throwing in our own flavour to the music, with arrangements by local artists,” says SOSL’s conductor Nishantha Warnakulasuriya.
Having such a concert has been something they had been thinking about since last year, and it has finally come to fruition in a blend of choral and instrumental music. The concert will be a fusion of many genres of music, adds Nishantha. From popular film music, to Sinhala, Tamil and English songs, “there will be something for everyone in this concert.” A Coldplay suite (one of the current chart-topping male bands in the world) has also been arranged by Shannon Jacob.
SOSL conductor Nishantha Warnakulasuriya
As the Leader of the SOSL, Nilupul Silva says, “This time’s concert is a little different, because it features a different array of instruments – the first time featuring oriental instruments.” A concert like this requires a “slightly different approach” to a classical music concert, but the final result will come together in an incredible way, she assures.
Veteran singer Chitral Somapala will be featured in the exciting line-up. Performing his hit song, ‘Nadhi Ganga’, Chitral says that rock and metal music being his main genre, he is delighted with the orchestral arrangement. Audiences can also look forward to Chitral performing the ever popular Queen classic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
Coming off their international successes to the local stage, will be the award-winning Soul Sounds, Soul Sounds Academy Choir and the Soul Sounds Academy Children’s Choirs directed by Soundarie David Rodrigo. They will be providing their own renditions of familiar songs such as “‘Master Sir”, “Ukulata Nawath”, “Baba Yetu” and other favourites.
As a concert of this kind has not been done before, there is a lot of work, remarks Nishantha, but at the same time a lot of fun, and an emotional connection for the orchestra in the familiarity of the pieces they are playing.
The concert is sponsored by Sampath Bank.
“SOSL Pops- Trilingual Extravaganza” is on October 20. Tickets ranging from Rs.7500 to 2000 (balcony) and the box plan can be found on MyTickets.lk.
Something new: The Orchestra at practice. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
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