A taste of opera at Goethe Institute

Monica performs at the show. PHOTO: STAR

As opening act, Nrityanchal's dancers presented a group performance with Rangiye diye jaogo ebar jabar agey.

Prior to her performance, Monica briefly explained what opera is. According to her, "Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental as it is through the lyrics.

"An opera usually includes hundreds of musicians. What you're going to hear this evening is a partial representation of opera."

With Shanta P Gunasekara on the piano, the soprano then rendered an Italian composition, O mio babbino caro. As the pianist struck the first note, the minstrel seemed to transform into the character. Most of the listeners probably didn't understand the Italian number but the passion of the young woman in love, imploring her father to accept the love of her life, was apparent through her effective emoting.

Monica also performed a moving Russian aria which translates into "Do not sing to me my beauty", a romantic aria from Le nozze di Figaro, An American folk composition by Steven Foster -- Beautiful dreamer and I could've danced all night from My Fair Lady.

Monica's father, noted economist Dr Muhammad Yunus attended the performance. Dr Yunus said, "This is an emotionally charged moment for me, my family and friends. Monica has made me proud on many occasions. I've seen people moved to tears by her singing in Spain."

"I've started learning about music and in the process she has started learning about 'microcredit'," said a smiling Yunus.