Newcastle University Choir presents One Fine Day
One Fine Day (Un Bel Di) from Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly is one of the most-loved soprano arias in all of opera.
It is also the title for Newcastle University Choir’s next concert on Sunday 19 May at 3.00 p.m. in the Harold Lobb Concert Hall at the Newcastle Conservatorium.
Under the direction of guest conductor, Peter Guy (BMus(Hons) 2013, University of Newcastle), the choir will present a selection of favourite choruses from operas including Carmen, Cavalleria Rusticana, Nabucco, The Gondoliers, Prince Igor and more.
“It’s an exciting selection with lots of variety of style and emotion,“ says Peter, “and we’ve adopted the title “One Fine Day” to reflect the sunny nature of much of the repertoire. The choir is lapping up the challenge of such a range of choral technique, and singing mostly in Italian and French. We’re very excited to have Mariana Hong joining us as well to sing “One Fine Day” and some other soprano arias”.
Korean soprano, Mariana Hong (formerly Hyeseoung Kwon) is a star of Opera Australia and last performed to huge acclaim in Newcastle at the Newcastle Music Festival in 2017. Since relocating to Australia she has performed many of the major lyric soprano roles including Mimi (La Boheme), Liu (Turandot), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Pamina (Magic Flute), and Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly). Her Cio-Cio San debut in London was described as: “a stoic Madam Butterfly with a hypnotic voice. Her vocal prowess was utterly lavish and bold and did not falter at Puccini’s signature arias.”
Also joining the choir for the performance is young Queensland baritone Samuel Piper. Samuel is a next-generation artist and multi-award winner, and is currently a scholar with Melba Opera Trust. His operatic roles have included Carmen, Albert Herring, Die Zauberflöte, TheCunning Little Vixen, Hansel & Gretel, and Le Nozze di Figaro,
Further information is available at www.newcastleuniversitychoir.org. Online bookings can be made at trybooking.com.
The choir is proud to announce that renowned Australian composer Elena Kats Chernin has accepted a commission to write a piece for us, with lyrics by local poet and choir member Zeny Giles (GDipEd 1981, MA 1972, University of Newcastle). It will be the centrepiece of our August concert of Australian choral music.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.