LONDON
Renowned Goan baritone operatic singer Oscar Castellino recently delivered a captivating performance alongside Baluji Shrivastav OBE of the Baluji Music Foundation and Portuguese soprano singer Sofia Bagulho at St Stephen's Church, South East London.
The concert on June 21 in Dulwich village, South East London, surrounded by lush greenery which provided a serene atmosphere for the concert, was a celebration of Goan musical heritage.
The Vicar of St Stephen’s Church, Dulwich, Reverend Canon Bernhard Schünemann welcomed the audience to the venue.
Melville Rodriguese, lead sponsor, introduced the Bajuli Music Foundation and performers, and explained the music expresses a wonderful fusion that combines Portuguese rich melodies with Indian rhythmic structures.
“The Goan heritage has a uniqueness – reflected its houses, cuisine and music – between the Portuguese West and the Indian East. We are here to celebrate this uniqueness that has played a crucial role in expressing Goa’s cultural identity – as well as evolving, and embracing other musical traditions, including as Goans have journeyed elsewhere. The music amalgamates genres, and transcends borders… The concert has a multicultural dimension with musicians from Britain, India and Portugal,” said Melville, who was supported by his family along with other associates in organising the concert.
THE PERFORMANCES
Oscar's soulful rendition of the popular Goan song ‘Adeus (Korcho Vellu Paulo)’ resonated deeply with the audience, evoking nostalgia for their homeland, followed by ‘Cancâo do Mar and Candomble’ by Sofia showcasing her vocal prowess. Her duet with Oscar on ‘Tambe Rosa’ was a standout performance.
The Swahili tune ‘Maliaka’, popular among East African Goans, brought back fond memories for some in the audience.
‘Opera Arias’ by Sofia delivered impressive opera performances, while Oscar sang the ‘O Lisbona’ in a baritone. Konkani tunes like ‘Ya Ya Maya Ya’ and ‘Claudia’ was among the others that drew the attention to old memories of Goa.
Among the Portuguese songs were ‘Encosta Tua Cabecinha’, ‘Mas Quê Nada’, and ‘Cadiza, za, za’ was a hit, showcasing Oscar’s vocal range.
After the interval, Baluji Shrivastav performed an instrumental on sitar and improvisation of ‘Aum Saiba’.
Pianist James Welland also performed a solo improvising ‘Lisboa’ which took the audience with a spell.
The audience was enthralled by the performances, with some even joining in to sing along.
Baluji Shrivastav introduced and played on a lesser-known Bengali musical instrument ‘Gopi’, playing an instrumental tune towards the end of the concert.
The ensemble for the show also included Yusuf Ali Khan (tablas) and Neil de Mendonca (violin).
The Baluji Music Foundation is a world leader in promoting professional performance opportunities for blind musicians.
The Goan Association UK and the Goan Welfare Society made a financial contribution towards the Goan snacks during the interval.
