The much-anticipated show ‘Reverie’, scheduled to be held on the 14th of July 2024 at the Hilton Colombo Grand Marquee, promises to be an enchanting evening of song and music. The event will feature performances by the renowned De Lanerolle Brothers with Sureka Amarasinghe on Piano. Most significantly, the show will be graced by two of the world’s most prominent soprano singers: Sabina Cvilak and Helen Massey.

Sabina Cvilak, a celebrated Slovenian opera performer, has garnered international acclaim with standout roles including Mimi in ‘La Bohème’ and Blanche in ‘Les Dialogues des Carmélites’. She has collaborated with prestigious orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre National de France, performing at illustrious venues like the Royal Albert Hall alongside the world’s finest such as Andrea Bocelli.

Helen Massey, is an accomplished soprano, trained at the Royal College and Royal Academy of Music. Her notable roles include Emmie in ‘Albert Herring’, Susanna in ‘Le Nozze di Figaro,’ and Adele in ‘Die Fledermaus’. Massey has performed with the Hamburg Symphoniker and graced renowned stages worldwide. In an exclusive interview, Sabina and Helen share their thoughts and experiences, shedding light on their musical journey and what the audience can expect from the upcoming show.

Q WHAT DREW YOU TO OPERA AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? Sabina - I was always singing as a child but I never expected to end up where I am. After my high-school graduation I was planning to go into chemistry or biology, but my teacher said ‘why don’t you try to audition for music school’ so then the path took me down this way.

Q IS THERE ANYTHING THAT MAKES YOUR PERFORMANCE HERE IN SRI LANKA DIFFERENT TO ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU HAVE DONE BEFORE? Helen - Of course, absolutely! Everything is different. The environment is different and it’s especially wonderful to be working with people who we are friends with as well as it gives it so much chemistry and electricity as well.

Q HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN SRI LANKA BEEN AND HOW ARE PREPARATIONS FOR THE SHOW GOING? Sabina - I’ve been here before so I know a little bit about the country and I must say I’m always amazed with Sri Lanka, with the very friendly people who are always here  and especially with Ishan and Rohan who really took care of us. So I’m really looking forward to this work and for the concert of course!

Q YOU HAVE BEEN PERFORMING TOGETHER (WITH THE DE LANEROLLE BROTHERS) FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, WHAT HAS THAT JOURNEY BEEN LIKE? Helen - When I first met Rohan it was more than one decade ago. We have fun - and that comes across then in the music making. Of course we have to be structured, we have to be disciplined and we have to practise but the extra magic comes when you really connect with people.

Q COULD YOU GIVE THE AUDIENCE A LITTLE SNEAK PEAK OF WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR PERFORMANCE THIS TIME? Sabina - They will hear some of the most famous Arias and they are adjusted to this kind of concert and it will be with the Piano. So I am sure there will be something for anybody who likes music.

Q DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PERFORMANCE LINED UP FOR THIS SHOW? Helen - Everything of course is great and I particularly like it when we get some group numbers so when we all get to sing together, which you know is not an easy thing to coordinate because we all live in different countries - but that’s going to be really fun.

Q IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL THOSE WHO ARE COMING IN ON SUNDAY TO WATCH THE SHOW? Sabina - I could only say I’m very happy to see what the De Lanerolle Brothers are doing, bringing this kind of culture to this part of the world. I think it’s important that people get to know this beautiful  art so they can come a little bit closer to opera and singing and music in general. Helen - I’m really happy to be back in Sri Lanka again, it’s been a little while and it’s always such a wonderful welcome that I receive so real gratitude to everybody here who’s made me feel so welcome. I really look forward to reconnecting with the audience.

BY NIMAYA NANAYAKKARA

PIX BY Waruna Wanniarachchi