News
Khemadasa’s daughter arranges choral musical in British church
by Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London
Award-winning music composer Gayathri Khemadasa, the daughter of the renowned Premasiri Khemadasa, is arranging the music for “A Song for Eve,” by Scottish poet Anne Hunter, for Haydn’s ‘Creation’. This rendition will be performed on May 12 at St. Mary’s Church in Portsmouth.
In an interview with Sunday Island, Ms. Khemadasa, personally and on behalf of Sri Lanka, expressed her sense of honour at being chosen for this task and extended an invitation to Lankans in the UK to be present on this occasion.
The upcoming performance promises a completely re-imagined edition of ‘Creation’ tailored to complement Hunter’s evocative poetry. The 80-voice church choir will be augmented by University of Portsmouth choir alumni. This performance culminates a meticulous practice research project harmonizing Hunter’s verses with Haydn’s timeless composition.
Celebrating 20 years of Professor George Burrows’ directorship, this special rendition of ‘Creation’ will be accompanied by the Havant Symphony Orchestra. Professor Burrows, the conductor of the event said, “The concert at St Mary’s Church in Portsmouth on Sunday, May 12 features a very special version of ‘The Creation’ by Joseph Haydn with alternative words by Anne Hunter, a poet familiar with Haydn.”
Burrows noted, “Hunter added a new ‘Song for Eve,’ and Gayathri Khemadasa has provided music that was otherwise missing. She not only gives Eve an independent voice but also conjures a magical atmosphere, drawing on rag, to depict Adam’s soothing words echoing around Eden.”
‘The Creation,’ long hailed as one of the pinnacle achievements in choral music, has its origins in Haydn’s experience witnessing Handel’s Messiah in 1794. Inspired by this encounter, Haydn embarked on a creative journey. Hunter’s words have been set to this music. Despite initial challenges with the English adaptation, Hunter’s libretto, discovered in 1993, emerged as a testament to much hard work.
The forthcoming performance stands as a testament to the enduring power of artistic collaboration and innovation, promising audiences an unforgettable fusion of poetry and melody.
PIC SAVED AS NIVUN
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed for Aug. 31 the pre-trial conference in the money laundering case filed by the Attorney General against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and his great-aunt Daisy Forrest.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
State Counsel Oswald Perera requested court to fix a date for the pre-trial conference and informed the judge that the prosecution would announce its position regarding the second accused, Daisy Forrest, at the conference. He also said the prosecution intended to notify court of amendments to the indictment.
After considering the submissions, Judge Singappuli ordered that the pre-trial conference be held on Aug. 31.
The Attorney General has indicted Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that they deposited nearly Rs. 59 million in bank accounts knowing, or having reason to believe, that the funds had been unlawfully acquired.
Venezuela earthquake: Number of known dead rises to nearly 5,000 victims
A few showers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts
Harmer, Markram and Wolvaardt win top honours at CSA awards
War of words erupts between Minister Chandrasekar and Archchuna in North
Cardinal seeks dismissal of Sallay’s petition
Money laundering case against Yoshitha, fixed for pre-trial conference
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features5 days agoPrison riots and politics: NPP’s biggest challenge and Sri Lanka’s biggest opportunity
-
Editorial6 days agoWhat’s the world coming to?
-
Features2 days agoDirty Money
-
Editorial5 days agoMuch ado about crime: Fish or cut bait
-
Features5 days agoMore on Saudi Arabia: ARAMCO and beyond
-
Latest News3 days agoOil prices hit 1-month high as US-Iran attacks dim Strait of Hormuz outlook
-
Midweek Review2 days agoThe sordid tale of theft and tragedy at Finance Ministry
-
Features4 days agoDeepening Democracy – Constitutions and Constitutionalism