Raising their voices for women
Soloists Wasantha Geekiyanage and Ravindu Perera
In a world where women’s voices are often diminished, the power of music rings out as a clear tool for change. ‘Her Song’ is not just a concert of beautiful music and powerful voices, but will tell a story of the depth and many facets of what it means to be a woman.
Returning to the stage after some time for this show are the Menaka Singers and Menaka Singers Opera Ensemble, directed by Menaka De Fonseka Sahabandu. On April 3 at 7.30 p.m, the Lionel Wendt will showcase a poignant programme featuring selections from well-known operas and musicals. Though set in vastly different times and places, the compositions all share a common thread – the portrayal of women of different ages, backgrounds and places who have not only survived, but persevered.
The concert, a late celebration of Women’s Day, will be in aid of the Zonta Club II of Colombo, which Menaka has worked with previously too. Zonta’s mission to empower women and build a better world, one with more equality and justice, encapsulates the essence of this concert and is a tribute to the different journeys of the women in these songs, with all the characters singing songs of emotional depth and much complexity. The proceeds will be in aid of their service projects (see box).
On the programme are some well-known arias which the audience may recognise. Menaka says she did not want to “create a high-brow opera, but songs that would appeal to the general public.” The programme is carefully curated to highlight different facets of women: In Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, a woman is mocking and laughing at her employer, while Puccini’s Gianni Schicci brings out the manner in which a woman schemes and plots once her partner passes away. Women are thus not portrayed in a perfect, untouchable light, but rather each with their own unique identity and feelings.
The well-loved classics of musical theatre are also included, with selections from ‘Annie get your gun’, ‘Evita’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, each highlighting a different theme. Menaka is looking forward to her Junior Choir singing ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical ‘Annie’, that captures the helplessness and loneliness of this young orphan girl, longing for a better tomorrow, its message of hope a reminder that no matter what the circumstances, looking forward is the best and only path to take.
At rehearsals: Menaka, standing second from left, with her singers
The host of talented soloists are Joanne Aloysius Rajiyah, Dmitri Gunatilake, Nishantha Warnakulasuriya, Jehani Gamalathge, Wasantha Geekiyanage, Rishika Seneviratne, Hiruni Perera, Ravindu Perera, Sithesh Sunderaraj, Eshani Pathmaperuma, Binudi Kahanda and Chenara Gunewardena, Ashan Algama, Nilanka Wickramasinghe and Maryse Gunewardena.
Menaka’s male choir ensemble will also be taking to the stage to sing “There is Nothing Like a Dame” from South Pacific. She also pays homage to our motherland, with the Sinhala song, “Raththaran Duwe”; a mother longing for her child to return home.
In a world where the voices of women are still fighting to be heard, for recognition and equality, this concert will leave the audience with not just an evening of inspiring music, but also a deeper message of empowerment. “From young Annie to multi-faceted characters like Evita, each woman shares the same determination to survive,” says Menaka.
Tickets ranging from Rs. 5000 to 1500 (balcony) are available at the Lionel Wendt Box Office.
| The concert is in aid of the Zonta Club II Colombo’s many service programmes. The Club has conducted programmes on menstrual health and hygiene awareness for children in rural schools, ‘My Body, My Choice’ educational sessions for kids and also lends support for Mithuru Piyasa & Yowun Piyasa, counselling centres for abused women and prevention against violence against women, as well as leadership development for youth.They have provided safe drinking water filtering systems for schools in the North Central Province. Their distribution of breast care cushions for cancer patients, breast cancer awareness programmes and support of women entrepreneurs also continues. | |
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