Pianist & Singer
Another opera wrapped up last Monday. Le Nozze Di Figaro rehearsals started back in January leading to four nights of performances at the Manoel Theatre. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mro. Philip Walsh, played the beautiful pieces by Mozart. Nine soloists sang to the accompanied lyrics by Lorenzo Da Ponte. I was part of a 16-piece chorus, with the roles of a footman and a cook.
A week has passed from the last ever concert of VOICES. 25 years of concerts culminating in a weekend of celebration! 200 choristers from past editions and a band joined this year’s edition for one final curtain call. I’ve joined VOICES in 2008, and this was my 5th consecutive edition that I took part in. What kept me participating throughout these years is the final aim of each concert; that of donating money from ticket sales to those in need.
In the end of June we started rehearsals for the last edition of VOICES, a best of celebrating the 25th anniversary from when the first concert was held back in 1991. We’ve been rehearsing twice weekly, and following this week’s break, we’ll be adding one more rehearsal weekly to that. The band have been rehearsing separately, and we’ll be joining them next week.
Three days have passed from our last Orphée et Eurydice performance. Over three months of rehearsals culminating in four exceptional nights at the Manoel Theatre! This was my second experience in an opera chorus, followed by last year’s L’Elisir D’Amore. Directed by Denise Mulholland, with costumes designed by Luke Azzopardi and choir coaching by Geoff Thomas, the opera received quite a number of positive comments. Mro. Philip Walsh directed the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra who played Gluck’s (1859 Berlioz revision) beautiful music. The opera was re-imagined in the Victorian era, with a libretto adapted by Pierre-Louis Moline. It went from Eurydice’s mourning in Act 1, to Orphée’s hell in Act 2, and then to the elysium in Act 3.
In a month’s time, I will be on stage together with a 20 strong ensemble and 3 principals (Orphée, Eurydice & Amour), accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. This year’s opera, Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice (1859 Berlioz revision), is directed by Denise Mulholland and will be re-imagined in the Victorian era. Continue reading “Orphée et Eurydice – Rehearsals”