Verdi Gala review: Singapore Lyric Opera delivers

Fresh from its recent staging of  La Traviata, the Singapore Lyric Opera staged a concert in celebration of Giuseppe Verdi's bicentenary celebration.  The concert started with Conductor Darrell Ang giving a good introduction on the life of Verdi.

The concert featured 4 soloists and the SLO chorus.  Anna Koor started the evening well with Oh, dischuiso e il Firmamento from Nabucco. However there seemed to be some
discomfort in the rendition of Rataplan（La Forza del destino) with the orchestra and the chorus.

 I liked Jessica Chen's aria pace,pace, mio Dio  from La Forza del destino.  She received the loudest applause, partly due to her supporters in the audience.


I enjoyed tenor Jason Wasley's rendition of Quando le sere al pacido (Luisa Miller), and his duet with Christopher Hillier in Solenne in quest'ora (La Forza del destino).  Christopher Hillier gave a sensitive rendition of Di Provenza il mar (La Traviata).

The SLO female chorus performed 2 pieces and received warm reception from the audience.  The choir later joined the 4 soloists for Brindisi from La Traviata, which was performed as an encore as well.

It was an enjoyable evening, due to the good song selection by the conductor and the engaging performance by the 4 soloists.  Based on the standing ovations from the audience, it was definitely a success.