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.
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”
The year started off with rehearsals for the opera L’Elisir d’Amore held in March at the Manoel Theatre. In May I had the opportunity to perform two Mozart pieces at the President’s San Anton Palace in Festa Palazz. In June I did my Grade 5 Johann Strauss School Of Music classical voice exam, in which I got a Distinction.
Summer was busy with rehearsals for two concerts; Strummin’ What A Feelin’, held at Sir Temi Zammit Hall in mid-October, and Animae Gospel Choir In Concert ’15, held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at the end of the same month. In November I started rehearsals for next year’s opera Orphée et Eurydice and joined the TMYO (Teatru Manoel Youth Opera). In December I had the pleasure to perform a Maltese classic, Viva Malta, with the Strummin’ guitarists together with Mro. Joe Brown & The Drop-Out Band at the L-Istrina yearly event.
The 2nd edition of Festa Palazz, in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund, happened on the 29th and 30th May at San Anton Gardens. On the first night, at the palace’s private garden, I sang two Mozart pieces; ‘Papageno’s Aria’ from ‘The Magic Flute’ and ‘Un Bacio Di Mano’. I was accompanied on piano by Ms. Julia Miller.
