British duo Belle Voci, which specialises in opera and classical crossover, features soprano singers Rohan (left) and Burnett. Photo: Handout
Italian flautist Andrea Griminelli is no stranger to the Malaysian classical and opera concert scene.
The 63-year-old musician has performed at private and corporate shows – collaborating with local pop stars – in Kuala Lumpur and other parts of the country since the early 1990s.
Griminelli is one of the main acts for the inaugural Opera In Paradise concert series at Pangkor Laut Resort, Perak from Oct 20-22. The concert at the private island paradise will also feature British pop opera duo Belle Voci and American theatre performer and tenor Michael Austin.
Griminelli, who studied music at the Paris Conservatory (Conservatorio Superiore di Paris), was encouraged by revered French flautist Jean-Pierre Rampal to pursue his dreams to become a soloist.
Griminelli is one of the main acts for the inaugural Opera In Paradise concert series at Pangkor Laut Resort, Perak from Oct 20-22. Photo: The Star/Filepic
And like every young aspiring musician, he dreamt of one day playing prestigious theatres like the Royal Albert Hall and even Carnegie Hall (which he did in the 1990s). In fact, he’s played in a number of legendary venues.
Griminelli hit his stride when he made his international debut at the Madison Square Garden Concerts in New York by Luciano Pavarotti in 1984, with whom he began a close collaboration in more than 200 concerts over 14 years.
Classical and opera names apart, he can easily name drop pop stars like Elton John, James Taylor and Branford Marsalis as collaborators. Sting was also one of the guests who appeared at Griminelli's 60th birthday party.
On stage, Opera In Paradise has also selected well for the heavenly voices.
Belle Voci, Italian for “beautiful voices”, feature Emily Burnett and Sophie Rohan who met in their early 20s while working part-time in a pub in the English town of Cheshire.
Since their hugely acclaimed performances on ITV’s The Voice music show in 2018 and three albums later, bookings for private parties and international events now stretch years ahead.
Austin is one of few African-American tenors known for playing Otello, a role that he has sung many times around the world. Photo: Handout
These singers perform a mixture of well-loved opera classics, as well as contemporary songs with a classical spin.
The line-up of talents for Opera in Paradise 2023 harks back to a memorable performance by the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti who, in 1994, performed to a glittering gallery of distinguished guests on the resort’s grounds.
The upcoming Opera In Paradise concert will be followed by sunset cocktails and a captivating dinner experience where guests can relax and enjoy dinner with views of the beautiful emerald waters and lush mountainscape.
A charity drive will run concurrently with the Opera in Paradise weekend – funds raised will go towards Hospis Malaysia, a charitable organisation with a vision to make palliative care universally accessible.
For more info, email travelcentre@ytlhotels.com or call 03-2783 1000.
