Synopsis:

Colours ... is a festival celebrating the fusion of visual arts and vocal music. The festival combines an exhibition of paintings by Alain Nicaud (1950 - 2017), with a curated series of vocal and music performances and discussions, inspired by the artworks on display.

Lunctime shows:

Various short performances, ranging from art songs, to piano pieces, as well as talks and discussions about the evening performances (see website for details).

Mrs Dalloway:

Freely inspired by the novel and titular character by Virginia Woolf, this one-off production takes the form of a single scene immersive performance, like a natural mise en abyme. The audience finds itself in the set of the drama, closely witnessing and almost interacting with the characters. This is a woman's story told through her songs, slowly us giving access to her inner life, revealing her secrets and private thoughts. Arias and songs from Purcell, Puccini, Reynaldo Hahn, Richard Strauss, and Cole Porter are woven into this pastiche. Incidental music by Philip Glass from the movie 'The Hours' will also be a part of the piece.

Elena Xanthoudakis (soprano), Lee Congyu (piano)

May Breezes:

This recital follows 'Mrs Dalloway' in the theme of another modern woman, a character perhaps similar in nature to Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly). Satsuki Nagatome plays a geisha interpreting Noh theater and Japanese art songs in kimono.The first half of the programme includes Japanese folk songs and contemporary songs by Joe Hisaishi. The second half of the recital covers highlights from Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

Satsuki Nagatome (soprano), Lee Congyu (piano)

Reflections:

How to prepare a song with a color in mind. How to approach a new song in a creative way [1]. How do you feel, how do you convey imagination and may apply images, movements, and texts from art, dance, and theater. How accentuations, very subtle details can imply emotional and physical reactions and 'reflections'? Theorized in a different way by painters Kandinsky or Paul Klee and poets, the concept of synaesthesia may be explored. The relationships between Debussy and Impressionism and Symbolism are obvious. These are all tracks we will follow with Tatiana, Greg, Lowell and Raymond in a very varied program. Inspired by the paintings of an exhibition and by paintings projected on walls, this experience is definitely a show for artists and painters.

Tatiana Konovalova (soprano), Lowell Tan (soprano), Raymond Wu (baritone), Gregory McCleanor (baritone)

Bromanza:

From the Three Tenors to Il Divo, men joining their voices in song have always thrilled audiences. Join Bruo, the "bro duo" comprising Singaporean tenor, Leslie Tay and baritone, Alvin Tan as they present an evening of opera, crossover and musical theatre selections, including songs from their 2017 debut performance at the Esplanade Concourse. Highlights from the programme include:

Nella Fantasia – (Crossover)
Pearlfishers Duet – (Opera)
Agony from "Into the Woods" – (Musical Theatre)
The Prayer – (Pop, crossover, film)