Join conductor Arthur Fagen, soprano Gao Manhua and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for a magnificent Italian operatic spectacular on July 20. Bell'Italia! will feature some of the most popular soprano arias in the Italian repertory, including 'Un bel di' from Madama Butterfly and 'Regnava nel silenzio' from Lucia di Lammermoor. The evening's programme will also include a selection of favourite orchestral excerpts and interludes by Bizet, Mascagni and Puccini.

Born in New York, Arthur Fagen was the first prize winner of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Conductors Competition. He has been the Music Director of the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dortmund Opera since 2002. He has conducted the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Munich State Opera, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, New York City Opera, Opera Capitole de Toulouse, Bordeaux Opera, Frankfurt Opera, and New Israeli Opera, amongst others.

A separate charity concert will be held on July 19 in aid of the inaugural SMRT Silver Tribute Fund, which aims to raise funds for eight beneficiaries to help the elderly lead more meaningful and dignified lives, as well as to strengthen the families and communities that care for them. Tickets for the SMRT-SSO Charity Gala Concert are priced at $150, $200 and $250.

Bell'Italia!
20 July 2007 (Friday), 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets are available from SISTIC counters islandwide and Esplanade Box Office.