Colombo Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_Sri Lanka saw the collaboration of two internationally renowned performers on a single stage in a fundraiser for a very unique project that ensures the continued of education of children whose parents are in long-term incarceration in the largest prison in Welikada Sri Lanka. The concert titled ‘Classical & Cool’ brought together American-Sri Lankan baritone Gehan A Cooray and Norwegian pianist Torgier Kinne Solsvik whose repertoire that evening spanned Operatic Arias and Classical Pieces to Songs from Hollywood and Broadway, showcasing amazing versatility in music genres.
Cooray is not just an extraordinary singer, but is also an actor an independent film maker based in Hollywood, while Norwegian pianist Solsvik, an alumni of the Grieg Academy in Bergen and the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney, is a celebrated accompanist, musician, soloist, choral conductor and producer with his own record label.
Cooray, a steadfast supporter of the Friends of Prisoners’ Children (FPC) project, first performed in a fundraiser for this project in 2019. “I am very moved by the plight of innocent children and adolescents who have to pay the price for their parents’ mistakes – in this case, parents who have been incarcerated. I know how cruel the world is towards such kids – as if they too are responsible for their parents’ sins and crimes. If we can make a tangible difference in the lives of the innocent and victimized youth, it would be the equivalent to taking care of saplings in a harsh terrain so that they might one day blossom into beautiful flora.”
Cooray made his solo debut at Carnegie Hall and had his film The Billionaire which he produced, acted and sang in, win the Best Feature 2020 at the Burbank International Film Festival. He released his debut album Classical and Cool in 2021 and has also performed the dream baritone role of Escamillo in Carmen at the Miami Classical Music Festival.
Beginning with a Bel Canto Italian Operatic Aria by Donizetti, Cooray and Solsvik orchestrated a most beautifully curated ninety-minute concert which included some skilled piano solos by Solsvik. Being an actor, Cooray didn’t just sing, he acted most of the songs which added to the magic of the evening. The repertoire featured songs from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Mozart’s Figaro, Bizet’s Carmen, the Hollywood musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Rossinni’s Barber of Seville, Grieg’s The First Primrose, Lerner & Loewe’s musical Gigi, the Broadway musicals Little Women and Annie and Roger & Hart’s The Boys from Syracuse. But it was Cooray’s powerful rendition of Santa Lucia that had the audience in raptures and called for a resounding “More” from the audience.
Friends of Prisoners Children was launched in 2006 to presents scholarships to children of long-term prisoners, with over 300 children now already in the programme. A monthly stipend right upto the completion of the O/Level or A/Level examination for children from Grades 6 to 13 has a three pronged impact – ensuring school attendance, keeping these children from falling into the same pitfalls of a life of crime due to lack of incentives to be in school and a realization of their aspirations and dreams. If these students want to pursue higher studies or a vocational school, FPC seeks sponsors who will take them through the next phase of their lives.
Due to the success of this programme which is monitored by school principals, the prison authorities allow children to spend one day in the year with their parents or in some cases both parents who are incarcerated, devoid of the usual practice of speaking through bars and mesh windows. This gives the children the opportunity of spending time together as a family without the bars that restrict them, a very crucial psychological impact in their developmental years.
These children are not just marginalized – most are from under privileged environments and drop out of school literally and go into child labour. The investment made for the education of these children therefore, is not an investment in their future but also adds value to their knowledge and skill and most importantly gives them the endorsement that somebody cares.
March 10, 2023
