Mozart's magic comes alive in the capital

The magic of Mozart, one of the greatest composers in western classical music, was brought alive today in the capital by a group of artists from India and seven other countries who performed the best of his compositions, leaving the audience spellbound.

The first-of-its kind concert, 'Mozart Magic in India' attracted music lovers from all over the city, who braved the chill and waited for almost an hour for the show to start.

The performers, who were late as they were stuck in traffic, were pleasantly surprised to see that despite the delay and extreme cold, audience turnout was better than what they expected.

"We thought it would be very few people coming for the show but we are amazed to see so many poeple here," said George Mathew who conducted the show.

Musicians of the Bombay Chamber Orchestra and Neemrana Music Foundation presented extracts from Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' which was well received by the audience.

"I am a big fan of Mozart and western classical music and I loved the show," said Rahul Verma a college student.

The concert performed at Central Park was organised by The Indian Council for Cultural Relations in collaboration with the Neemrana Music Foundation.

Members in the audience were thrilled to attend the open air concert and hoped to make it for the upcoming shows in Siri Fort auditorium.

"I have a keen interest in Opera shows, I have already got passes for the upcoming shows and I am definitely going to the show," said Sakshi, a music student.

Extracts from Mozart's famous operas- The Magic Flute, Idomeneo, Cosi Fan Tutte and The Marriage of Figaro would be rendered with operatic stage direction and costumes at Siri Fort Auditorium on January 7-8.

The shows are directed by Jean Marie Curti and has a predominantly Indian cast both of soloists and the choir. 19 musicians from Rouen Opera House in France, 26 from the Bombay Chamber Orchestra and 40 singers from The Neemrana Music Foundation Choir are set to perform for the upcoming shows.

TNMF, which has been actively producing operas since 2002, would also present guest musicians from the Rouen Opera House in a special rendition of Mozart's famed Gran Partita at an exclusive show at Nehru Memorial Musuem and Library.

Indian artistes include Aude Priya, Sunanda Rao, Vikrant Subramaniam, Nitya Vaz, Payal John, Ashwin Sahay, Ashwati Parameshwar, Ramya Rao, Sparsh Bajpai, Pallavi Seth, and Tara Grover.