KUCHING: The Borneo Opera Festival (BOF) reached its grand conclusion with the stirring performance of the iconic Italian composition, ‘Bella Ciao’ (Goodbye, Beautiful).
The final evening of BOF, which unfolded yesterday evening (Oct 15) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building in Kuching, drew an overwhelming audience.
The spectacle began precisely at 8pm, as the orchestra graced the stage, enthralling the audience with a rendition of Radetzky Marsch.
Sarawak’s own soprano sensation, Jeanne-Marie Druce, then took the stage to deliver a moving performance of the Malaysian classic, “Ibu Pertiwiku.”
Domenico Menini followed with his enchanting rendition of Agustín Lara: Granada.
After his amazing performance, the orchestra continued with their rendition of the timeless classic, “Donauwalzer.”
The next highlight featured Druce, dressed in a striking blue gown, enchanting the audience with “Aria Violetta” (La Traviata) and a duet with Menini.
The show progressed with the orchestra performing “Feuerfest Polka,” followed by Ioan Vrasmas’s vocal rendition of “Non Piu Andrai.”
Furthering into the night, the orchestra also played Can Can; Lippen Schweigen by Druce and Menini; and also Pace Mio Dio sung by Beatriz Silvan.
Not only that, opera lovers here also got a chance to watch live performances of violin soloist Bogdan Costache performing Tango; Tico Tico; and Bella Ciao.
The show then continue on with Funiculi Funicula sang by Druce, Menini, Alfio Grasso, Silvan,and Vrasmas; La Donna E Mobile by Menini; Second Vals by the orchestra; O Mio Babbino Caro by Druce; Vissi D’Artte by Silvan; and Nessun Dorma by Menini.
To top it all, the orchestra also performed two special pieces and one song by Annamaria Bulzan, and our childhood song Rasa Sayang.
The spectacular Borneo Opera Festival concluded on an unforgettable note, as Bogdan Costache and the orchestra graced the stage for an encore performance of “Bella Ciao.”
