AMORE! / Singapore Lyric Opera

This is really very early in the year for a concert by the Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO). Singapore's oldest opera company brought out its A list of singers for this recital of opera's most popular bleeding chunks - arias, duets and ensembles. At its helm was Artistic Director soprano Nancy Yuen, flanked by Spanish tenor Israel Lozano (undoubtedly SLO's best Pinkerton), relative newcomer Taiwanese mezzo Jo-Pei Weng and veteran Korean baritone Song Kee Chang. The orchestra was provided by pianist Boris Kraljevic.

Amore! was the title of the concert, but it was Nancy who clarified that most of the concert was not just about love, but friendship. Friendzone! would not have been a catchy or marketable title so Amore, it was. In nearly 100 minutes without intermission, the audience was treated to some of opera's best and most beloved highlights. Here are the photos from a most enjoyable early evening.

The concert opens with a familiar duet:
the Flower Duet from Delibes' Lakme
from Nancy Yuen and Jo-Pei Weng.

Why do we think of British Airways
whenever this duet is sung?

It's the men's turn:
Israel Lozano and Song Kee Chang
in the duet Au fond du temple saint
from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers.

Un voce poco fa from
Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Rosina & Figaro's duet Dunque io son
from The Barber of Seville.

Mimi's aria Si, mi chiamano Mimi
from Puccini's La Boheme.
A Nancy Yuen speciality.

O soave fanciulla
from Act One of La Boheme.

Act 3 ensemble Addio dolce svegliare
from La Boheme

Aria Per me giunto... Io morrow
from Verdi's Don Carlo

Mira o Norma from Bellini's Norma

La donna e mobile
from Verdi's Rigoletto

Rigoletto & Gilda's duet
Eil sol dell'anima la vita e amore 

The Quartet Bella figlia dell'amore
from Verdi's Rigoletto

The final ensemble Im feuerstrom
from Strauss' Die Fledermaus

Agustin Lara's Granada

Salvatore Cardillo's Core n'grato (Ungrateful Heart)

Denza's Funiculi Funicula

Di Capua's O Sole Mio

Encore time: Brindisi (Drinking Song)
from Verdi's La Traviata.

Bravissimi! Take a bow!