CONCERT WITH ORCHESTRA

The glorious heritage of bel canto ('beautiful singing'): its power of expression, its poetic sensibility and the exhilaration of its virtuosity have timeless appeal. Experience an evening of vocal prowess with exhilarating arias, great duets and thrilling orchestral music from rare gems and favourites.

Celebrate the inimitable art of bel canto with some of its greatest living exponents. Australian voices have played an important role in this great tradition, dating back to Melba and Sutherland, and it is continued on the most prestigious world stages by today’s stars such as Jessica Pratt. 

The toast of Italian opera Daniela Barcellona also co-stars alongside company favourite Carlos E. Bárcenas in this one-night-only concert.

Something indescribable happens each time Victorian Opera performs bel canto masterworks at Hamer Hall. We guarantee another electrifying experience.

5 reasons not to miss Heroic Bel Canto

• Appreciate the very best of Italian operatic repertoire in one (early) night.
• Hear some of the greatest living bel canto singers, who have performed at La Scala, The Met and Royal Opera House, exhibit their art with astounding virtuosity.
• Delight in a tantalising tasting plate of great opera. Perfect for those who like variety or newcomers who want to sample different composers.
• Bel canto is the essence of opera singing and Victorian Opera are experts in this repertoire. There is no better way to experience the art of ‘beautiful singing’ than with an electrifying experience that will have you on your feet at the end.
• Dreaming of a trip to Italy? There’s no need to pay for an expensive airfare, you can have an Italian experience right here in Melbourne.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Sunday 14 July, 5:00pm

Running time is approximately 2 hours, plus one interval.

Part 1 - Approx. 60 min

• Overture (Semiramide, Rossini)
• Eccomi alfine in Babilonia (Semiramide, Rossini) 
• Avrai tu pur vendetta (Ciro in Babilonia, Rossini) 
• Bel raggio lusinghier (Semiramide, Rossini)   
• Chi disprezza gl’infelici (Ciro in Babilonia, Rossini) 
• Asile héréditaire (Guillaume Tell, Rossini) 
• Ebben...a te; ferisci (Semiramide, Rossini)

Part 2 - Approx. 60 min

• Overture (Norma, Bellini)
• Cruda sorte (L’Italiana in Algeri, Rossini)
• Ai capricci della sorte (L’Italiana in Algeri, Rossini)
• O luce di quest’anima (Linda di Chamounix, Donizetti)
• Deserto in terra (Don Sebastiano, Donizetti)
• O mon Fernand (La Favorite, Donizetti) 
• Livorno, dieci Aprile (Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali, Donizetti) 
• Trio and finale (Le Comte Ory, Rossini)

Victorian Opera reserves the right to modify the concert program if required.

Queens of bel canto: Jessica Pratt performs 'Act 2 Finale' - La Sonnambula

Queens of bel canto: Daniela Barcellona performs 'Eccomi alfine in Babilonia...' - Semiramide

Composers Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti and Gioachino Rossini

Featuring

Richard Mills AM Conductor

Jessica Pratt Soprano
Daniela Barcellona Mezzo-soprano
Carlos E. Bárcenas Tenor

Shakira Dugan Mezzo-soprano
Nathan Lay Baritone
Stephen Marsh Baritone
Samuel Piper Baritone
Kathryn Radcliffe Soprano
Matthew Thomas Bass-baritone
Raphael Wong Baritone

Orchestra Victoria