‘Resurrection and Enigma: Introducing Mahler and Elgar’ will showcase the talents of two young achievers Srimal Weerasinghe, the conductor and Rachel Halliday, the soloist.
‘Resurrection and Enigma’ a concert of classical music is the maiden production of the Gustav Mahler Society of Colombo (GMSC). The brainchild of a few young and talented music lovers Srimal Weerasinghe, Vidhurinda Samaraweera, Rachel Halliday, and Amanda Halliday.GMSC was established with the primary aim of revitalising orchestral music in Sri Lanka for enjoyment of the public. ‘Resurrection and Enigma’ will go on stage on Ausust 28th at Nawarangahala.
The Conductor, Srimal Weerasinghe, who studies conducting with guidance from veteran conductor Manilal Weerakoon, is also a conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka (NYOSL) since 2017.
A product of the Thomian Chamber Orchestra where he started his musical career as a descant recorder player Weerasinghe took up the oboe as a member of the NYOSL pursuing it under musicians Manilal Weerakoon and late Dayananda Fernando. He is a performing member of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL). Serving eight years as the principal oboist of the NYOSL, Weerasinghe has been the principal oboist of the Colombo Wind Orchestra and the Junior Symphony Orchestra as well. Furthermore, his talent has taken him to different parts of the world to play as the principal oboist with.the Newman Festival Orchestra at the National Centre for Performing Arts Mumbai, the Haydn Orchestra at the Royal Opera House Mumbai and the Commonwealth Festival Orchestra..
Weerasinghe has also influenced the revival of the Royal College Western Orchestra in 2015 and helped them retain first place at the National Orchestra Competitions since then.
He hopes to pursue his career in music and to help develop Western Classical Music in Sri Lanka.
At Resurrection and Enigma, Mahler’s ‘Songs of a Wayfarer’ and ‘Urlicht’ the 4th movement from Mahler’s 2nd Symphony, ‘Resurrection’ will feature Mezzo Soprano soloist Rachel Halliday.
A past pupil of Methodist College Colombo, Halliday is a student of Menaka De Fonseka Sahabandu, and Barbara Segal. She is a member of the Menaka Singers Opera Ensemble, and has frequently performed with them since 2009, in concerts across the country.
Further, she has been a member of Asteria, the all female choral group and of the Peradeniya Singers. Halliday is the choir directress at Wesley and Museaus Colleges.
A classically trained pianist and vocalist, she is a lecturer at the University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo. She is also a percussionist for the SOSL, NYOSL, the Wind Orchestra, and the Krassna Ensemble.
She intends to pursue her career in Operatic singing and share her love for classical music with Sri Lanka.