What a bustling and vibrant year 2023 has been for KLCO! Our rehearsals commenced in January and haven't slowed down since.
In February, Kuala Lumpur City Opera Chorus had the honor of singing in the magnificent Dewan Filharmonik Petronas once again, alongside the esteemed Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) and international Korean artistes from MOV Asia, for an unforgettable performance of Verdi's timeless masterpiece, "La Traviata".
March was a month filled with musical grace as we had the privilege of presenting 17 choral arrangements in Chinese and Chinese dialects by the renowned arranger Jin Chengzhi at UPSI for a Doctorate presentation. Following this, we staged a captivating Pergolesi Double Bill, featuring "Salve Regina" and "La Serva Padrona," leaving our audiences enchanted.
In May, we were invited back to the beautiful Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion in Penang with our performance, "Verdi & Puccini at the Mansion," featuring soprano, Jane Soong and tenor, Yap Jin Hin in creating musical magic in a truly enchanting setting. The accolades continued to pour in as our Principal Artistes and the KL City Opera Chorus received the prestigious Kakiseni’s Boh Cameronian Arts Awards for their exceptional group performance in the music category, a true testament to their talent and dedication.
June saw us fearlessly embarking on a mesmerizing journey of opera scenes in our Opera Gala Spectacular, captivating hearts and minds. After a brief respite during the summer months, we were honored to be invited by the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival in August, where we delighted audiences with stirring renditions of famous opera choruses. Last month held a special place in our hearts as our annual studio recital, "Untukmu," received the spotlight in a documentary coverage by national TV in “TV3's Majalah 3". A momentous occasion indeed!
As you can see, this year has truly been a whirlwind of artistic expression and dedication for us. The decision to stage "The Elixir of Love" was part of a three-year plan, a return to Donizetti's masterpiece that first graced our stage in 2014. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the privilege of performing this Bel Canto Opera, under the guidance of the remarkable Maestro Kevin Field, whose leadership and musicality have enriched our orchestra beyond measure. We're also thrilled to have Christopher Ling back in the director's chair, as he once again brings his artistic vision to "The Elixir of Love," just as he did in 2014.
To all our friends and family, your unwavering support, encouragement, and love have been the fuel that propels us forward. There's nothing quite like the magic of opera and the beauty of music, and we thank you from the depths of our hearts for joining us on this enchanting journey, for it is you who make our music truly come alive.
