KUCHING: The Borneo Opera Festival 2023 slated for Oct 12 to 15 will captivate audiences with the magic of Teatro d’Opera Italiana (Opera Vox Orchestra) experience.
Organised by Borneo Season Opera II Palcoscenico, the event aims to be a celebration of culture, art, and music – providing an opportunity for the public to experience the art of opera at its finest.
The event is set to feature various world-renowned names and introduce Sarawak’s very own opera singer, Jeanne-Marie Druce, who is charting her future in the world of opera.
THE ITALIAN BARITONE WHO CONQUERED THE WORLD OF OPERA
From singing and dancing in a Sicilian folk group to performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, Maestro Alfio Grasso’s journey in the world of opera is nothing short of remarkable.
Born in Italy in 1961, Maestro Grasso’s passion for opera was ignited during an international gathering of folk groups in Switzerland, where he heard a Spanish tenor and soprano sang and was enchanted by their vocal abilities.
Maestro Grasso’s dedication to mastering the art of opera singing led him to take private lessons with soprano Marisa Pintus for two years.
However, he knew he needed more guidance to achieve his musical aspirations. It was in Taormina where he met a pianist from Rome who arranged an audition with the renowned 1960s tenor Maestro Angelo Bartoli.
Impressed with Grasso’s potential, Bartoli mentored him for six years in Rome as a baritone singer in his traditional one-on-one mentoring programme.
During his mentorship with Maestro Bartoli, Maestro Grasso went on his first concert tour in Taiwan and made his debut in “Pagliacci” as Silvio.
He fearlessly performed various operatic repertoires such as “Traviata,” “Rigoletto,” “Nabucco,” “Trovatore,” and “Aida,” allowing him to transform himself internally and move with his soul into the century in which the operatic repertoires were set.
Maestro Grasso has mastered 32 operatic repertoires under Maestro Bartoli’s mentorship and won four international competitions throughout his 36-year career on stage.
He has worked with renowned conductors such as Bruno Bartoletti, Nader Abbassi, and Stefano Ranzani, and has performed with renowned duet partners in opera productions, including Mirella Freni and Gianluca Zampier.
With his success, Maestro Grasso pledges to continue Maestro Bartoli’s legacy and pass on the baton to future generations.
His passion for opera continues to inspire others, and his dedication to the craft has made him a beloved figure in the world of opera.
FROM CHILDHOOD MUSIC ENTHUSIAST TO INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED OPERA SINGER
Jeanne Marie Druce’s passion for music started at the tender age of four, when she spent hours watching the classic musical ‘The Sound of Music’ while her mother did household chores.
She later joined the Carmelite choir in Miri Sarawak, where she honed her musical skills with her mother’s accompaniment every Sunday.
Despite the lack of qualified vocal teachers, Jeanne Marie taught herself how to play the piano and later auditioned for piano and vocal studies at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) in Sydney, Australia.
Her vocal talents were soon discovered, and she completed both her Honours and Master’s degrees in just 3.5 years, majoring in vocal and minoring in piano.
Seeking new opportunities to develop her vocal abilities, Jeanne Marie auditioned and was selected for a one-year ERASMUS Programme at the Ference Liszt University in Budapest, Hungary in 2019.
Although her stay was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeanne Marie remained in Budapest and continued her vocal training with Maestro Alfio Grasso for three years, during which time he discovered her full potential in vocal ability and capabilities.
Her exceptional vocal range and abilities, coupled with her proficiency in reading music and vocal musicianship, allow her to adapt songs and styles to suit various audiences and events, creating captivating performances that leave a lasting impression.
Throughout her career, Jeanne Marie has gained valuable experiences, including attending an opera masterclass organised by Pacific Opera Company in Sydney in 2017, performing for the 85th anniversary of St. Joseph School Dinner in Miri, Malaysia, and holding a year-end vocal recital in Miri in the same year.
She also participated in a Vocal Masterclass conducted by Dr Kornelia Perchy in Miri, Malaysia.
Jeanne Marie has also competed in several international competitions, including the Sydney Eisteddfod Competition and the Eisteddfod by the Bay Competition in Melbourne in 2017. She went on to hold a concert recital in Hamburg Musik Halle, Germany, under Conductor Walter Ghelert in 2018, and continued her successful run by performing in the Sydney Eisteddfod Competition and the Orange Eisteddfod Competition in the same year.
Jeanne-Marie’s international performances have also been impressive, having held concert recitals in Rosario, Buenos Aires, in 2022 and taken part in the Romania Tour Regal Di Viene for 30 days in Romania in December 2022.
She also participated in the Romania Tour for 14 days (Trei Tenori Italiani) in 2023 and played the role of La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro while holding a concert recital in Germany in the same year.
Her accomplishments include achieving Highly Commended in Italian song, 3rd place in Oratorio, and 3rd place in Opera at the Sydney Eisteddfod Competition in 2017.
She also won first place in Open Vocal, Open Lieder Solo, Operetta, and Open Vocal Song at the Orange Eisteddfod Competition in 2018.
A SPANISH SOPRANO MAKES WAVES IN THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SCENE
Beatriz Silván is a talented Spanish soprano who began her musical education under the guidance of renowned maestro J.L. Zamanillo.
She later completed her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Madrid and the Faculty of Arts in Oradea, Romania, studying with distinguished professors such as Adelino Barrios, Verónika Veselákovà, Conchita Ormaechea, Julio Robles, Madalit Lamazares, José Manuel Menéndez, Florina Hinsu Maris and Alfio Grasso.
Silván has received invaluable advice from a variety of renowned conductors, including David Lowe, Frederic Oller, Ángel de Paz, Félix Redondo, Mihail Herhmann, Javier Corcuera, Leonard Dimitriu, Salvatore Cicero, Richard Egarr and Pierre Cao.
Her teaching degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and her proficiency in English, Italian and German, which she acquired at the Official Language School (EOI) in Madrid, are testament to her commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
As a soloist, Silván has collaborated with several prestigious groups, including the Orquesta Sinfónica y Coro Ciudad de Tres Cantos, Coral Santa Teresa, Coro Brizia, Coral Tak, Coro A Capella, Coro de la Capilla de la Sagrada Familia, Coro y Orquesta Nuevos Clásicos, Orfeón de Reinosa, Coro y Orquesta Estrellas de Madrid, and Opera Vox productions.
Silván regularly performs lyrical recitals internationally, showcasing her diverse repertoire that includes monographs of Puccini, Verdi, Spanish music and religious music.
She has also performed in various opera and zarzuela productions sponsored by Madrid City Council, Juventudes Musicales, the Wagnerian Association of Madrid (tribute programme to Wagner), Trio Da Ponte, and Trio Paul Cézanne.
Her performances at the Clarinetfest, where she has played romantic and contemporary music, have been highly praised.
She has also participated in the “Noches en los salones de España” events organised by the Spanish Embassy to promote Spanish music.
Silván has played the lead roles in Verdi’s Nabucco (Abigaille) and Aida, and is currently preparing for the roles of Leonora (Il Trovatore) by Verdi and Norma (Norma) by Bellini.
Her impressive accomplishments and ongoing dedication to her craft make her a highly respected and sought-after soprano in the international music community.
A RISING START IN THE WORLD OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Bogdan Alexandru Costache, a Romanian violinist, began his violin studies at the age of four with his father, Decebal Costache, who was the concertmaster of Brasov Opera House.
At the young age of seven Bogdan made his debut as a soloist with the Brasov Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania.
Since then, he has performed extensively as a soloist and in chamber music recitals on prominent stages across Europe, Russia, and Asia.
His talent has been recognised with numerous national and international awards, including the Great Prize and First Prize in the International Violin Competition Remember Enescu, First Prize at the International Music Competition Paul Constantinescu, Finalist in the Jeunesses Music Competition, and First Prize in the International Music Competition Prize Monterosa Kawai (Italy), among others.
In 2011, Bogdan won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied with the esteemed Romanian professor, Remus Azoitei. In 2019, he completed his studies with a Master’s in Music at Transilvania University.
Despite his young age, Bogdan has achieved great success in his career. He served as the leader of the CEI International Youth Orchestra and concertmaster at World Peace Philharmonic & Philharmonie der Nationen (Hamburg) in Germany, conducted by the renowned Justus Frantz. With these ensembles, he has performed in concerts across Europe and Asia.
He was also invited by the Arad Philharmonic to lead the orchestra as concertmaster and serve as the permanent soloist for an entire season.
Currently performing at the Brasov Philharmonic, Bogdan is a permanent violinist invited by the Vienna Strauss Philharmonic Orchestra in Vienna and continues to give numerous concerts as a soloist and in chamber music recitals worldwide. He has been the principal soloist and conductor of Opera Vox since 2022.
He is considered one of the most promising young violinists under 30, performing constantly on stages across Europe and Asia.
A ROMANIAN ARTIST WITH A PASSION FOR OPERA AND MUSIC
Ioan Vrasmaş is a distinguished Romanian artist who boasts an impressive educational background, including a doctorate in music from the George Enescu National University of Arts, a master’s degree from the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, and a bachelor’s degree in Orthodox Theology from the Babeș-Bolyai University.
He has also attended international masterclasses by notable figures in the opera world.
Vrasmaş has collaborated and performed as a soloist and guest artist in various institutions such as the Romanian National Opera in Cluj-Napoca, Pygmalion Theatre an der Wien, and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Constanța.
He has graced concerts and operas in Salzburg, Vienna, and Italy, among others. Some of his notable roles include Zaccaria in Nabucco, Don Pasquale in Don Pasquale, and Ferrando in Il Trovatore.
In addition to his impressive performances, Vrasmaş has also collaborated with numerous conductors and directors such as Reinhardt Seifried, Joseph Wallnig, Hermann Keckeis, and Lucia Cicoara Dragan.
He has worked with various orchestras such as the Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg and the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Cluj-Napoca.
Vrasmaş has also worked with artistic agencies and companies in Europe, including COFO FORSTER GMBH Passau and OPERNKLASSIK UG Bad Krozingen.
From 2012 to 2023, Vrasmaş served as the cultural organisation manager at the “Opera Vox” Company.
He has received several distinctions and awards, including the Grand Prize in the Music Section at the National Radio Romania Cultural Awards Gala for the year 2018.
He has also received certificates of excellence and other accolades from various municipalities, county councils, Rotary clubs, and other state and private institutions in Romania and abroad.
