PERGOLESI DOUBLE BILL, DOUBLE TREAT
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi was an Italian composer of the Baroque era whose works continue to thrill audiences today. Two of his most beloved and enduring works are the Salve Regina and La Serva Padrona. These two works demonstrate his skill in crafting elaborate and emotive compositions.
The Salve Regina, composed around 1736, is an incredibly beautiful and devotional work. It is an anthem to the Virgin Mary of the Roman Catholic Church. Pergolesi’s score is a remarkable mix of despair and joy, as he captures both the intensity of the Virgin Mary’s imploring of Christ, and the comfort that there is always hope. Therefore, the Salve Regina is a masterpiece of modality, exalting its subject matter while achieving a satisfying musical structure.
La Serva Padrona, written in 1733, is a short comic opera in one act. As a result, it is quite a dramatic departure from the solemnity of the Salve Regina. It tells the story of a witty and scheming maidservant, Serpina, who is trying to manipulate her master into marrying her. The piece is lighthearted and humorous, but still manages to move the listener even in its brief runtime. Pergolesi’s score is full of delightful music, easily catching the ear without sacrificing quality. The use of two-part vocal lines, as well as its constantly shifting tonality also add to its character.
Pergolesi’s Salve Regina and La Serva Padrona are timeless examples of his artistry. Their divergent tones and styles demonstrate his extraordinary range, and illustrate just why his music remains so beloved among listeners to this day.
KLCO, established since 2012, is the only active opera company in the country presenting and promoting western operas. Some of KLCO’s past productions include Verdi’s La Traviata, Puccini’s La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, Bizet’s Carmen, Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore, La fille du régiment, Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Mozart’s masterpiece, Die Zauberflöte (the Magic Flute), The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel.
The production will be accompanied by the KL City Opera String Quartet comprising of Lim Jae Sern, Wani Ismail, Jenny Loo and Yeoh Pei Ann on Cello. Stage direction by award-winning director, Amelia Tan and music direction by Bernard Tan, pianist, vocal coach and educator. Amelia Tan who had previously directed KLCO’s productions Carmen, La fille du regiment, Madama Butterfly and Die Zauberflöte.
The Double Bill will begin with a pre-performance talk by Bernard and then followed by Salve Regina in C-minor sung in Baroque pitch featuring mezzo soprano Lim Yee Fen accompanied by the KLCO String Quartet with Bernard on continuo. The second part of the performance will also begin with a pre-performance talk by Bernard and then followed by La Serva Padrona starring Chi Hoe Mak as Uberto, the grumpy old master; Bui Yik Ling as Serpina, the maid and Eugene Ng as Vespone, Uberto’s servant.
About Kuala Lumpur City Opera (KLCO)
Formerly known as ‘Eat, Sing & Travel People’, the KLCO has been in existence for the past five years since its inception in 2012. Our artistic initiatives have culminated in the receipt of two BOH Cameronian Kakiseni Arts Award for two of our productions in 2014 and 2 awards in the 2019 BOH Cameronian Awards for Best Music Direction and Sound Design for Madama Butterfly. Our past performances include Carmen (2022), La Voix Humaine (2022), La Traviata (2019), Madama Butterfly, Hansel & Gretel (2018), Le Nozze di Figaro, La Fille du Régiment (2017), La Bohéme (2016), KLCO Fundraising Concert (2015), Can you Handel This? (2015), Double Bill: Tchaikovsky Nutcracker & Amahl & the Night Visitors (2014), L’Elisir D’amore (2014), Voices & Winds featuring Mozart’s Coronation Mass (2014), Carmen (2013), Viva Verdi Bicentennial Celebration (2013), L’heure Exquise (2013), La Bohème (abridged version) (2012).
Show Details:
Date and time:
Friday 10 March 2023 8:30 PM
Saturday 11 March 2023 8:30 PM
Sunday 12 March 2023 3:00 PM
Venue
Pentas 2, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC)
Jalan Strachan off Jalan Ipoh
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Ticket Price
RM80
Students get 50% off. Minimum purchase 5 tickets and maximum 30 tickets per show; while stocks last. Please email [email protected] for more information
Student/Senior/Physically Challenged Price 10% discount
Tickets are available from https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/pergolesi-double-bill#tickets or KLPAC’s Box Office 03-40479000
Production & Artistic Team
Executive Producers – Danny Chen & Ho Soon Yoon
Stage Director – Amelia Tan
Music Direction – Dr. Bernard Tan
Violin 1 – Lim Jae Sern
Violin 2 – Wani Ismail
Viola – Jenny Loo
Cello – Yeoh Peh Ann
Costume Design – Dominique Devorsine
Lighting Desinger – Amelia Tan
Sound Designer – JJ Tan
Stage Manager – Logan Chai
Salve Regina
Soloist – Lim Yee Fen
La Serva Padrona
Uberto – Chi Hoe Mak
Serpina – Bui Yik Ling
Vespone – Eugene Ng
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