London-based, acclaimed soprano Patricia Rozario
(OBE) needs no introduction in Goa as she is considered
to be the epitome of operetta. She will be joined by
her husband, pianist Mark Troop, and Joan-Enric Lluna
on the clarinet for the Western classical concert, titled,
The International Celebrity Concert, which is being
organised by Goa Chitra, Benaulim.
The concert will include romantic works by
Spohr and Schubert, famous operatic arias, clarinet
showpieces and ‘Shepherd on the Rock’ for clarinet,
voice and piano. Speaking about the concert, Mark
Troop says, “We value what Victor Hugo Gomes, the
curator of Goa Chitra, is doing and when we were
looking around South Goa for a venue for our courses,
he was very helpful in providing us with the same. We
have a common interest in spreading culture and we
wanted to give something back and show our gratitude.
The concert is incredibly popular with operatic arias
and dazzling clarinet beats and it is one of our favourite
concerts, something we wanted to bring to Goa two
years ago.” Mark is a pianist, broadcaster and writer, the
founder of The Chamber Music Company – a creative
performance group, and a lecturer in music at Goa
University.
Following the concert at Goa Chitra, Mark and
Patricia will have another opera concert, Decatur
Sammela, at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim on
November 5, 2016 at 6:30pm. Decatur Sammela is set to
be an annual event. “We want to have one international
concert every year and this will be the inaugural concert
in opera. We want to add Goan singers and musicians
and make it a Goan festival in the coming years. it will
include international and national artistes and yet we
will be reasonably selective,” explains Mark.
For the past six years, Mark and Patricia have been
coming down to India for ‘Giving Voice to India’ (GVI),
an international quality vocal tuition and coaching
initiative in western music. The aim of the program is to
raise the standard of the western vocal art form in India
and create opportunities in India for singers to perform.
“We had several students, including three Goans, who
have studied with us and have gone abroad for further
studies. The program helps develop talent and provide
performance opportunities,” says Mark.
Patricia and Mark were in Mumbai for two concerts
at the recently restored Royal Opera House at Charni
Road. The venue was opened after 23 years and has
been restored to its original 1916 glory. The Gujaratbased
Maharaja of Gondal bought the Opera House
in 1952. His son, Jyotendrasinhji, commissioned its
restoration in 2010. The Royal Opera House was
inaugurated by King George V in 1911.
For Bombay girl Patricia, who lives just 40 minutes
away from the venue, it was a dream come true. “It was
an amazing experience and the Royal Opera House
is such a beautiful space and has been restored to its
former glory. We had two performances at the venue,
one on October 21, 2016 for the private launch for
Maharaja Joytendrasinhji Jadeja and Maharani Kumud
Kumari Jadeja and a few of their friends. On October
22, we performed with a different program with more
musicians. The Royal Opera House was built in 1911 and
after the British left India, it became a cinema house
and then it was closed for 23 years. It is a great thing
for Bombay as the restored venue at Churni Road can
be used for plays, Indian classical musical concerts and
musicals,” says Patricia.
Married for 35 years, Patricia and Mark share a
special bond on stage. “It is a special connection and we
have these moments when we perform together as we
know how to anticipate or prepare for the flow of music.
It is also tricky as a couple because we have to make
time to practise our music and follow a routine. Here in
India, we practise every morning, but in London, there is
a lot of other work that comes in the way. It is important
to be disciplined in your art,” says Patricia, as Mark adds,
“It is a fun thing for us.”
Goa Chitra will present ‘The International Celebrity
Concert’ featuring Patricia Rozario (soprano), Joan-
Enric Lluna (clarinet) and Mark Troop (piano) at Goa
Chitra, Benaulim on November 3, 2016 at 6pm
