| Johannesburg: Le Grand Voci @ Wits |
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Sunday, 22 August 2010, 16:00 - 18:00
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Hits : 107
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LE GRANDI VOCI: A CELEBRATION OF GRAND OPERA AND SONG
Federico Freschi (baritone) is joined by dramatic soprano Michèle Corbin and acclaimed pianist Christopher Duigan for an afternoon performance at WITS Atrium this Sunday. Their programme features a spectacular selection of operatic arias, duets and scenes from Italian opera, plus music by Chopin.
Federico Freschi, much in demand on concert stages and festivals around South Africa has recently performed in Handel’s Messiah and gala concerts with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in the Durban and Pietermaritzburg City Halls. He has also performed regularly with pianist Christopher Duigan at festivals in Hilton, Franschhoek and the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. Apart form his career as an accomplished baritone, Freschi holds the position of senior lecturer in History of Fine Art at WITS.
A graduate of the Wits University’s School of Music, Michèle Corbin was a pupil of the late Joyce Barker. Michèle won the prestigious Jim Joel Scholarship and the SABC Singing Competition and continued her training in London, completing a Music Therapy Degree at the internationally renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, UK. During her studies, Michèle developed an interest in using the voice as a therapeutic medium, working with mental health patients and adults with learning disabilities. Michèle has recently returned to live in South Africa and continues her vocal training with Emma Renzi.
 Christopher Duigan, KZN-based pianist and a regular on ClassicFM, makes a rare appearance in Johannesburg having previously been a regularly featured soloist with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Classic FM Soirées. Recordings of these performances are aired regularly on Classic FM. One of South Africa’s busiest concert pianists he has been hailed as a South African piano icon and ‘national musical treasure’ (Classic Feel June 2009). Duigan was recently invited by the world’s premier piano maker, Steinway and Sons, to join their Steinway Artist List. This exclusive ‘circle of celebrated pianists’, selected by Steinway’s Head office in Hamburg, Germany, is established by invitation only. Pianists are chosen on the strength of their artistic integrity, musical commitment and public profile.
In a programme of grandly conceived operatic highlights and songs from classic musicals Freschi and Corbin perform duets and arias from Verdi's La Traviata, Il Trovatore and La Forza del Destino, plus arias from Catalani’s La Wally, Bellini’s Norma, Mozart’s The Barber of Seville, and Gounod’s Faust. They also include, on a lighter note, selected songs and duets from the classic musicals. Apart from his supporting role in this concert, Duigan will be performing selections from his recent Celebrating Chopin 1810 – 2010 programmes presented to critical and public acclaim at the Grahamstown Festival. Chopin’s compositional style was greatly influenced by the Italian bel canto school and was particularly inspired by the music of Bellini and Donizetti.
Altogether a wonderful occasion of opera, song and wonderful vocal performances.
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Location: The Atrium WITS - South West Engineering Building
Contact: MUSIC REVIVAL 083 4174473
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| Tickets - R70 pp - available at the door
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