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.
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| The concert opens with a familiar duet: the Flower Duet from Delibes' Lakme from Nancy Yuen and Jo-Pei Weng. |
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| Why do we think of British Airways whenever this duet is sung? |
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| 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. |
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| Un voce poco fa from Rossini's The Barber of Seville. |
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| Rosina & Figaro's duet Dunque io son from The Barber of Seville. |
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| Mimi's aria Si, mi chiamano Mimi from Puccini's La Boheme. A Nancy Yuen speciality. |
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| O soave fanciulla from Act One of La Boheme. |
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| Act 3 ensemble Addio dolce svegliare from La Boheme |
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| Aria Per me giunto... Io morrow from Verdi's Don Carlo |
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| Mira o Norma from Bellini's Norma |
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| La donna e mobile from Verdi's Rigoletto |
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| Rigoletto & Gilda's duet Eil sol dell'anima la vita e amore |
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| The Quartet Bella figlia dell'amore from Verdi's Rigoletto |
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| The final ensemble Im feuerstrom from Strauss' Die Fledermaus |
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| Agustin Lara's Granada |
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| Salvatore Cardillo's Core n'grato (Ungrateful Heart) |
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| Denza's Funiculi Funicula |
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| Di Capua's O Sole Mio |
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| Encore time: Brindisi (Drinking Song) from Verdi's La Traviata. |
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| Bravissimi! Take a bow! |
