It’s time for the familiar and something new at the SOSL Christmas concert
Soloists: Dinushka Jayawickreme and Shehara Liyanage. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Christmas is fast approaching – that ‘most wonderful time of the year’, when the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) brings forth their annual much-anticipated Christmas concert. On December 13 and 15 at 7 p.m., the Bishop’s College auditorium in Colombo will be filled with the sounds of warmth, joy and nostalgia, the music of the season.
Conducted by the SOSL’s resident conductor Dushyanthi Perera, this year’s programme will feature familiar Christmas songs such as Christmas Overture, O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland. From carols that evoke cherished memories to grand symphonic arrangements, this concert will resonate deeply with audiences of all ages, spreading the joy of the holiday season.
The concert will feature an original composition by the SOSL’s very own Sidath Nallaperuma, who has been a part of the orchestra since the age of 14. From his days of playing the bassoon to the violin to the oboe, Sidath now considers the orchestra his ‘second family’. With a passion and fascination for music and composition, he has begun writing his own compositions after much self-study.
Sidath’s first Christmas composition, ‘Christmas Rush’, is dedicated to the SOSL, who have inspired him along this journey, and understand the story that his music will convey. The music was inspired by Ramya Perera, who gave him the idea for this piece.
Christmas Rush: Sidath Nallaperuma’s dedication to SOSL
“‘Christmas Rush’ is a story of little elves, running around frantically as Christmas draws closer with all their last minute shopping, drinking eggnog, jumping and fighting.” Sidath will be playing the slide whistle, a small percussion instrument to add to the chaos of the piece, while all the instruments will mimic the elves’ many activities. Sidath says he is very honoured that the SOSL is playing his composition of fun and creativity, capturing his vision from start to finish and he is “very excited to have his own friends play his music.”
With much experience singing and performing on stage, Shehara Liyanage and Dinushka Jayawickreme are the two soloists featured in this concert.
Having been in the Soul Sounds Choir for many years, Shehara has taken part in many SOSL concerts, from classical to pop to Christmas productions. She will be singing ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ and ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,’ two well-known songs that will let her vocal abilities shine through.
Dinushka will be singing ‘Don’t Rain on my Parade’, from the musical ‘Funny Girl’ and the two will also come together to sing ‘The Prayer’, their very own arrangement that they released previously.
“Many people want to feel the Christmas vibes,” Shehara says, “and we want to do it justice.”
Tickets ranging from Rs. 7,500 to 2000 (balcony) are available on mytickets.lk
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