Puccini – Singapore Lyric Opera
Daniela Leska was a principal Soprano with Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO) in “Puccini’s Women” presented in the prestigious Victoria Concert Hall on Saturday 19 October at 7:30pm; Daniela’s operatic debut in Singapore. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s passing, this annual gala concert featured Nancy Yuen (SLO’s Artistic Director), Daniela Leska, Lee Jae Wook (South Korea), William Lim and Jessica Chen. The SLO Orchestra was conducted by Joshua Tan, with Terrence Toh leading the SLO Chorus. Daniela performed “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta,” “O mio babbino caro” and the La Bohème Act III Quartet.
The concert took the form of story-telling by Puccini, sharing the women who have influenced and inspired Puccini on and off the stage for all his 12 masterpieces from 1884-1924. The audience were transported and transformed by selections from Puccini’s beloved masterpieces, including La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, Tosca and La Rondine!
It was an unforgettable evening, showcasing how Puccini “so eloquently captures the rush of true love, the thrill and rapture of desire, the intensity of desperation and the force of tragedy.”
Review by Dr Chang Tou Liang in “The Straits Times”
SLO interview with Daniela Leska
SLO: What do you feel about being in this concert?
Daniela: The music of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini reaches deep into your soul and transforms you through its humanity and exquisite beauty. 2024 marks the centenary of this great composer’s passing and I’m delighted to be celebrating his legacy to opera and the strength of the women he depicts by performing Puccini gems with Singapore’s finest artists; Nancy Yuen (SLO Artistic Director herself), Jae Wook Lee (South Korea), Jessica Chen, William Lim and the wonderful SLO Adult Chorus.
It’s a joy to perform Puccini’s music; he so eloquently captures the rush of true love, the thrill and rapture of desire, the intensity of desperation and the force of tragedy. I love that this concert celebrates the wit of women in adverse situations. I’m particularly excited about performing “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” (La Rondine); its rich and lush legato lines, it’s exposed and thrilling higher phrases and the intense focus and passion this music demands of the performer.
SLO: Why people should come and watch it?
In marking the centenary of this extraordinary composer’s passing, this concert invites Singapore to be transported and transformed by the music of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. His operas are still amongst the most-performed today: La Bohème, Turandot, Tosca and Madama Butterfly. Audiences can swoon to the music we all know and love. They will be brought to life by a stellar line-up of international artists, who I am delighted to be performing with.
