Joy to the World promises a spectacular Christmas musical extravaganza, all set to take stage on the 14th of December at 7 p.m. at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre.

The concert is in aid of the Poverty Alleviation Projects of the Archdiocese of Colombo and the Joseph Vaz Trust.

Here’s a closer look at the artistes who will no doubt make tonight memorable!

THE DE LANEROLLE BROTHERS

The brothers have graced many concert halls around the globe: from the Weill Recital hall, Carnegie Hall & The Asia Society – New York, to the Kamani Auditorium in India, the Bentley Music Auditorium, Malaysia and the “Princess Diana Room” of The Castle of the Angers, Germany.

Being the best combination in Sri Lanka be it either Classical, Sacred or Pop, the brothers have performed on the same platform as Aaron Neville and Branford Marsalis in New Orleans, Four-time Grammy Winner Olivia Newton John’s Sri Lanka Concerts as part of her Asia Tour 2012 and also at The “Platters Concert” featuring the Legendary “Monroe Powell”.

“BAMBINI”
Bambini comprises of the primary school choirs of St. Bridget’s Convent Colombo, St. Lawrence College Wellawatte and Good Shepherd Convent Kotahena.  A choir that is a hundred strong will perform traditional songs. Scholarship winning Contralto, Nilmi Fernando will join Bambini in adding to the joy of Christmas through music!

“PUERI CANTORES”
Pueri Cantores is made up of students of St. Joseph’s College, St. Lawrence Convent and Marie Stella College, Negombo. The 100-voice choir will be joined by Imesh Wijewardane, who awaits a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Both children’s choirs, Bambini and Pueri Cantores, are trained by veteran music director, Francis Almeida.

HELEN MASSEY
 

Helen Massey studied at the Royal College and Royal Academy of Music, where she won the Peter Pears Duo and English Song prizes. She also studied at the Royal Academy of Music subsequently worked with Dennis O’Neill at his Cardiff International Academy of Voice.

She won “BBC Radio 2 Choir Girl of the year” in 1996 and has taken the roles of ‘Nannetta’ in Falstaff and ‘Tytania’ in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in professional Opera.

CAROLINE JAYA-RATNAM

The classical pianist with a virtuosic edge, alumnus of the Cambridge University, Caroline holds an Instrumental Award and a Choral Exhibition from the institution while also having played the violin in the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra (CUCO). She was later appointed the Geoffrey Parsons Junior Fellow at the Royal College of Music.

A musician with an outstanding gift for sight reading and perfect pitch, Jaya Ratnam has accompanied many renowned artistes on television and radio.

VOICE PRINT

Voice.Print is an all male vocal play and acapella ensemble who have pioneered the inclusion of beatboxing in their choral arrangements.

Primarilyan acapella group, Voice Print also specializes in the performance of all types of music ranging from Acapella, Folk, Swing, Be-Bop, R& B, Jazz, Rock & Roll, Gospel and Ethnic music.

 

By Sapthika Jacob