Opera music comes to splendid Purana Qila

New Delhi, Nov 2: It's not a full opera, but one of the world's top opera houses from Verdi's backyard is to perform in the splendid setting of the Purana Qila next week.

Ten of the most famous operatic arias will be the winter's gift to Delhiites from the Parma Royal Theatre, a nearly two-century-old opera house in Italy.

The concert on November 11 is by a 60-member orchestra, but Italian Ambassador Antonio Armellini, whose embassy is bringing the opera house refused to disclose the compositions.

Arias from 10 different operas will make the concert by the orchestra, which is situated in the land of one of Italy's greatest composers, Giuseppe Verdi, whose operas include 'Aida' and 'La Traviata'.

Though opera still remains an alien art form to Indians, its ingredients are akin to India's own culture, said Mr Armellini. ''A Bollywood film-maker and an opera story-teller tell the same thing--passion, love and feelings.'' Diplomat-writer Pavan K Varma, Director General of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), which is collaborating with the event, politely differed with the ambassador.

''There is an audience in India for operatic music though they don't get enough,'' Mr Varma said.

The last time Delhi witnessed an opera was in 2005 when Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville' was performed at the Siri Fort auditorium.

Mr Armellini said bringing an opera involves huge expenses and logistics unlike an orchestra.

ICCR will be reciprocating with its own cultural shows in Italy.

Bharatanatyam dancer Malavika Sarukkai will be performing in Italy during the same time as the Parma Royal Theatre Orchestra in India.

Flute wizard Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia goes to Italy a week later.

''I am not making a comparison, but Malavika Sarukkai is as world class as the Parma orchestra,'' Mr Varma said.

There will be a second concert in India by the orchestra, at the Jamshed Bhabha auditorium, Mumbai on November 13.

UNI