The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok with support from the Embassy of Italy and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation recently staged the “Famous Italian Arias”, a charity gala dinner and concert featuring an impressive performance by world-class Italian opera singers — Paola Cacciatori (lyric mezzo-soprano), Tiziana Guaglianone (soprano), Allan Rizzetti (baritone) and David Righeschi (tenor), with orchestral accompaniment by the 45-member Bangkok Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Carlo Magni.
From left, Panee and Dr Ekachai Bharksuwana; and Chai and Nuchanart Sophonpanich.
French-Italian mezzo-soprano Paola Cacciatori graduated from the University La Sapienza in Rome, studied vocal technique under the guidance of maestro David Jones and had masterclasses with Paolo Coni, Giuseppe Taddei and Helga M. Molinari. She is working under the guidance of tenor Rockwell Blake with whom she is specialising in pure Bel Canto repertoire.
Soprano Tiziana Guaglianone graduated from the Conservatory of Perugia in musical studies and also completed her studies in operatic singing with the highest grades. She has won several competitions, including the first prize at Città di Agropoli (Salerno), first prize at Città di Bacoli (Naples, Italy) and first prize at the Camerata Sant Cugat competition (Barcelona).
Baritone Allan Rizzetti graduated with a Masters in Music and Piano, and was selected to be part of the Young Artists Academy at Teatro alla Scala under the tuition of famed soprano Leyla Gencer. He made his debut as a tenor in Verona and Messina with Maria Chiara and Fiorenza Cossotto and was then invited to concerts with renowned mezzo Fiorenza Cossotto. He sings both romantic and verismo, but finds his special gusto in Rossini roles. He is also praised for his stage presence and acting skills.
Tenor David Righeschi began his singing studies with the great bass, Paolo Washington. He debuted in 2001 with Rigoletto and in the following years continued with intense operatic activity, performing in many key cities in Italy, as well as in countries around the world and most recently in New York in the presence of the state governor.
Maestro Carlo Magni studied at the Conservatory of S. Cecilia in Rome. After completing his studies in composition, he continued conducting renowned orchestras in Italy and several more around the world, as well as other international tours. Magni is also well versed in different musical fields, producing music scores and conducting orchestras for the cinema, television and recording industry. In 2011, he conducted the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and now returns for this exclusive “Famous Italian Arias” charity event.
“Our hotel enjoys a legendary literary history, but also a great tradition of staging internationally-acclaimed performers including Jose Carreras, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Sir Peter Ustinov, Eartha Kitt, Duke Ellington, to name just a few,” said Amanda Hydnman, general manager of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. “For this exclusive performance, I would like to thank His Excellency Francesco Saverio Nisio and the Embassy of Italy, as well as sponsors and guests for their kind support, making this evening another successful charity event in aid of the Princess Pa Foundation.”
The “Famous Italian Arias” evening began with a cocktail reception in the Royal Ballroom foyer, followed by a gourmet five-course dinner curated by the hotel’s very own Italian culinary ambassador, Norbert Kostner, with the culinary brigade led by executive chef Aurelien Poirot.
After dessert was served and the lights were dimmed, the whole Royal Ballroom went into silence as guests were ready for the grand performance. The famed Italian opera singers took to the stage entertaining guests with their repertoire — a selection of the most beautiful and beloved opera arias by famous Italian composers including Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Pietro Mascagni, Vincenzo Bellini and Gioacchino Rossini. They were powerful and emotionally rendered by the four singers. It was a brilliant show with long and continued applause from the audience for the world-class performance of both the singers and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
The “Famous Italian Arias” charity dinner and concert is part of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok’s 140th anniversary celebrations which features a series of bespoke music, fashion, art and culinary events organised throughout 2016. It is also one of the main cultural events featured in the “Italian Festival in Thailand 2016”, a year-long cultural programme, organised annually by the Embassy of Italy, Bangkok.
Among the guests attending the event were diplomat corps, well-known businessmen and familiar faces of the social scene. All proceeds will be donated to the Princess Pa Foundation of the Thai Red Cross Society.
From left, Chantal Meagher, wife of Canadian ambassador; Juri Sekiguchi-Drofenik, wife of Austria ambassador; Lyn Kok, president of Standard Chartered Bank; and Jesus Miguel Sanz, EU ambassador.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.