Established in 2010, the Bangkok Charity Orchestra (BCO) has amassed more than 25 million baht for charitable endeavors within Thailand. Most recently, at the Aksra Theatre located in King Power Rangnam, conductor and founding member of BCO, Chulayuth Lochotinan, led his ensemble of eighty musicians through a remarkable musical performance with both precision and flair.
The aim was to generate funds for the Paintbrush Foundation, offering free music and art classes to disadvantaged kids in the Klong Toey slum area of Bangkok. Nevertheless, the energetic MC Supapij Xoomsai Na Ayudhya declared that 30% of the night’s earnings would instead go towards the Bangkok earthquake relief fund.
As an opening reminiscent of a festive scene from Strauss’s "Die Fledermaus," conductor Chulayuth initiated the event with an energetic rendition of the overture. This allowed the orchestra to find their rhythm before spotlighting a group of skilled individual performers.
Johann Strauss II is frequently referred to as the monarch of waltzes, yet he also ruled over operettas. "Die Fledermaus," which debuted in 1874, stands out as the pinnacle of his reign. This musical piece brims with unforgettable melodies, woven together within an enchantingly unlikely storyline. Essentially, it’s a lighthearted journey into high society during the nineteenth-century Viennese era, featuring wealthy individuals who have ample leisure attending an extravagant masquerade party organized by a listless Russian prince portrayed vividly by actor Potprecha Cholvijarn.
Instances of misidentification seem far-fetched, particularly since many attendees at tonight’s gathering refrained from wearing masks. Nonetheless, it provided a perfect stage for a stellar ensemble to showcase their skills, doing so with considerable flair.
Serine de Labaume excelled in portraying the spirited maidservant who harbors ambitions beyond her station. With roots from France, America, and South Korea, she enjoys a flourishing operatic career centered in Berlin, which comes as no surprise. Her powerful high soprano resonates splendidly, and she proves to be a natural performer, delivering music authentically while effortlessly engaging with audiences.
Palang Rocksilp, who honed his operatic skills under the tutelage of acclaimed baritone Chen-Ye Yuan in Beijing, possesses such extraordinary vocal talent that one can’t decide whether to adore him or feel intensely jealous. His exceptional voice and magnetic presence onstage make him worthy of being a well-known figure across Thailand. Dressed in a dazzling outfit reminiscent of a Las Vegas performer, he delivered an outstanding rendition of the Toreador song from "Carmen" and rendered the famously challenging part of Eisenstein as effortless as strolling through Lumpini Park.
In the story of the operetta, a enigmatic Hungarian countess leaves everybody waiting due to her delayed appearance. On this specific night, Rosalinda’s significant lateness—possibly because of heavy traffic in Bangkok—provided ample time not only for three tunes from various musicals but also for an entire piano concerto to be performed.
The Mendelssohn Concerto in G minor is not frequently performed, likely due to its failure to fully establish itself as a notable work. The composer, just 21 years old at the time of writing it in 1830, even expressed remorse for what he felt might have been hasty creation. He stated, "I composed this piece within mere days and practically without much thought."
Despite its constrained melodic and harmonic scope, 14-year-old Thai pianist Papicha Ve jmongkol korn tackled the piece with the same gravitas as one would expect from a classic concerto by Mozart or Beethoven. Having claimed first place at the Bangkok Youth Piano Competition in 2024, she delivered a flawless rendition marked by exceptional technique—a testament to Thailand’s talent. Her commitment and poise shine brightly, serving as a promising sign for upcoming generations. For those seeking a role model among youth, Papicha stands out unequivocally.
The recipient of Thailand’s Young Musicians Award in 2024, Irisa Vimolratana is a six-year-old prodigy known for her powerful vocals. Singing "I Dreamed A Dream" from 'Les Misérables' accompanied by a full orchestra requires immense bravery. Her fearless performance and precise musicianship earned her resounding applause.
Pichamon Theppabutr, aged 11, shone brightly during her enchanting rendition of the eerie waltz from "Anastasia." Meanwhile, tenor Alexander Bowman, at 18 years old, has the talent to captivate audiences across stages in London’s West End with his emotionally charged portrayal of “Why God, Why?” from "Miss Saigon."
Upon the arrival of the Hungarian countess, it was revealed that she was none other than the celebrated Japanese soprano Miyata Tae, gracefully adorned with a crimson lace mask. In Strauss’ arrangement of the Czardas, her voice flourished perfectly; her rich, robust lower tones complemented by an impressive, thrilling high B that echoed throughout the venue. The moment she performed alongside Rocksilp as Carmen, their voices combined like a heavenly duet from above.
The discrete amplification projected the sound into the 600-seat auditorium, which, despite being luxuriously comfortable, wasn’t built for optimal classical acoustics. Musical segments flowed seamlessly through conversational interludes where carefree attendees mingled and sipped what appeared to be non-alcoholic champagne. Pitchaya Kemasinki captivated audiences not only with his resonant bass-baritone but also with his eye-catching checked suit. To conclude, John Tneoh spearheaded the collective performance of Brahms’ “Bruderlein,” Strauss’s tribute to human spirit.
During a week when Bangkok experienced profound upheaval, this appeal for fraternity and solidarity resonated even deeper than normal.
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