Fusing sounds  and talent at ‘Floreat’

 ‘Floreat’ organized by the Royal College Union will take place next Saturday (Feb 18) from 7.30 pm onwards at the Nelum Pokuna theatre, Colombo 7. This time the concert also coincides with 125th anniversary of the Union.

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By Joshua Surendraraj

 ‘Floreat’ organized by the Royal College Union will take place next Saturday (Feb 18) from 7.30 pm onwards at the Nelum Pokuna theatre, Colombo 7. This time the concert also coincides with 125th anniversary of the Union.

The combination of Jazz, Pop, Classical, Rock and fusion music is a different kind of experience and that’s just what’s in store for the audience. The attractive lineup includes Bathiya and Santhush (BnS), along with Kishani Jayasinghe, Umara ,Umaria,Ashanthi,  Randhir, Chithral (Chity) Somapala, Dushyanth Weeraman and the Estonian mezzo-soprano Monika-Evelin Liiv. They will be accompanied by Soundarie David & Soul Sounds and backed by Mahesh Denipitiya and the orchestra.

“This concert will be a different experience from Bathiya and Santhush (BnS),” Santhush tells us.  Explaining further, he recalls, the pair of them and Kishani, had been exposed to Broadway, Jazz and operatic music from their childhood and more so when they trained under Mary Anne David.

A step away from their usual Pop culture, He adds that the show will bring out a sense of nostalgia as the three of them hope to explore these classical tunes from their past.

The highlight of their performance will be them covering a range Mozzart, Schubert and Broadway music. And “It is not every day that you get to see BnS singing Classical Operatic music,” Santhush says.  

He explains, normally in Colombo, most of the shows are very centric on Sri Lankan pop and it is very rare that you see a western classical show, with a slight pop influence, ‘Floreat’ is unique in that way. The pair will also be performing a classical number with Kishani. They will be backed by Mahesh Dennipitiya and the orchestra.  These performances will be followed by Sri Lankan devils chanting “Denna dena”, which will lead on to a couple of fused and Jazzed up versions of some BnS hits, Santhush teases.

 “This will be an entirely different type of show for us, it is serious stuff, but it will be energetic and solid,” he says.

The evening will lead on to, Monika-Evelin Liiv. She graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2007. Following this Monika gained experience through her performances at several prestigious events.

 She was included in the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme from 2007 up till 2009 and as a result made her Royal Opera debut as Flora in Verdi’s “La traviata”. In 2011 she performed Prokofiev’s cantata “Alexander Nevsky” and Mozart’s Requiem with the Costa Rica National Symphony Orchestra in Costa Rica. In 2013, she showcased Verdi’s Requiem with Orchestre de Picardie in France and did the same with the Royal Opera House in 2014.

Monika also bagged the 2nd prize in the Studio Bel Canto Vocal Competition in 2006 and the 3rd prize in the Mart Saar Song competition in 2002. In 2013, she won the Annual Estonian Theatre Award and the Estonian Cultural Endowment prize in 2015.

‘Floreat’ will also feature Umara and Umaria, who will be performing some Aretha Franklin covers and some classical numbers. Dushyanth Weeraman, will cover a few hits by Freddy Mercury, as Ashanthi De Alwis will portray her version of ‘In the Arms of an Angel’ by Sarah MaLachlan. Randhir Witana, will be performing some contemporary songs of pop music.

Aside from this, Sri Lankan Hard Rock and Heavy Metal musician, Chitral Somapala tells us he is excited to perform at the show. Explaining, he says, he has always been open about crossing different musical styles together, and adds, “I feel that this is a very good concept and it’s a good lineup that we have for this show.”  

All the artists hope that the combination of Western fusion with the operatic music will truly make it an eclectic performance.

Tickets for the show priced at Rs 8000, 6000, and 4000 and are available at the Royal College union office and online at  mydeal.lk