Guitarist, soprano make music

Guitarist, soprano make music

JAKARTA (JP): A rare performance by leading soprano Aning Katamsi Asmoro and rising guitarist Sudirman Leman was held at Bentara Budaya in Central Jakarta on Friday night.

The 250 people who filled the venue were witness to a beautiful and entertaining performance. The show, organized by Yayasan Musik Internasional and Bentara Budaya, was part of the Yayasan's Art Song Series, whose mission is to introduce this type of music to a wider Indonesian audience.

Sudirman graduated from the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria, in June last year. He took part in several concerts and attended summer courses as well as competitions during his stay in Europe.

His mastery of the guitar and his appreciation of music clearly show he is a star performer in the making.

Dirman accompanied Aning on the guitar, and the duo opened with El Que Quisiera Amando (Who Wants to Love), a piece composed by Fernando Sor (1780-1839).

Each of the pieces performed by Dirman and Aning was received with warm applause from the audience.

Aning put on a sterling vocal performance that highlighted her talent and her strength, as she did not stop singing throughout the first half of the show except for an occasional sip of water.

Her effortless and beautiful performance included pieces by Federico Garcia Lorca, Joaquin Rodrigo, Bejamin Britten and Matyas Seiber, the latter two 20th century composers.(hbk)