The audience of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre literally jumped out of their seats for a standing ovation so resounding that one wonders if it could be felt in the canals of Venice. Gaetano Bonfante and Clarissa Spata were the stars of this extravaganza, an event so spectacular it was said to outweigh the very performances that they were paying tribute to, those being of Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.
One wonders if Bocelli and the companions who visited Sydney almost exactly twelve months prior would soon be paying tribute to these two voices of a generation. Eliciting audible gasps, emotive tears and blushing joy, Bonfante and Spata evoked feelings that one rarely experiences in life. Their interpretations of some of the world’s greatest ever songs left an impression on this audience that can never be erased.
Timeless songs, with beautifully composed interpretations were performed by ‘Australia’s best musicians’ as Clarissa Spata said. Luke Thatcher, Michael Bellemore, Dora Maria and Peter Toohey created an ensemble unlike any other. Glenn Amer was the Maestro behind the performance, and as a surprise to the audience, the only person on stage with a direct connection to Andrea Bocelli, having been invited to perform on one of Bocelli’s Christmas projects.
The singers took turns impressing the audience as a duet and as solo performers as they worked their magic through such musical treasures as Sarah Brightman’s ‘Think of Me’, Bocelli and Zucchero’s ‘Miserere’ and ‘La Voce del Silenzio’. With the audience at a feverish level already, our musical journey was only just getting started. Split into two forty five minute acts, the performers wove humour, banter and beautifully composed introductions between songs. This gave the audience tremendous insight into Bocelli and Brightman, how their famous songs took shape. More importantly we are able to share how these amazing artists influenced Bonfante and Spata on their own musical journeys.
Bonfante held back tears as he recited the lyrics of ‘ama credi e vai’, “We were born to shine, “All of us here because we believe, Guarda avanti e non voltarti mai” saying it is why he sings. Not a beat later Bonfante broke into that very song in a way that championed his range as a tenor and his incredible talent. Act 1 culminated in a duet with both performers rectinging ‘The Prayer’ in what was a beautifully curated set that shone as brightly as Clarissa Spata’s mesmerizing costumes!
The second act took us on a journey through some of the most powerful songs ever recorded including ‘Brucia La Terra’ (Bonfante), ‘Memory’ from ‘Cats’ (Spata) and culminating in ‘one of the greatest crossover songs of all time, ‘Con Te Partirò’ as sung by Brightman and Bocelli. An encore was mandatory for such a fervent applause and the Casula Powerhouse was blessed to have Gaetano and Clarissa perform the inimitable ‘Nessun Dorma’ before leaving the stage and vacating our hearts as we desperately await their next performance.
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