Soprano Dinali – Resounding Success

Soprano, Dinali Wijesinghe David will present her first solo voice recital on  February 6, at the Russian Cultural Centre Auditorium. The programme will commence at 7 p.m. She is trained by Mary Anne David and will be accompanied by pianist Eshantha Peiris.

The 25 year-old singer is a soloist and a lead soprano of the Merry-An-Singers, the well known choral group.

Dinali won the prize ‘Young Soloist of the Year – Vocal’  in August 2009, presented by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka ( SOSL). She was also the Runner-up at the Concerto Competition conducted by SOSL in 2006.

Dinali’s solo recital scheduled for Saturday, February 6 marks her official launch as a classical and operatic soloist. Commenting on her choice of career, Dinali was full of enthusiasm and hope.  It’s wonderful to be able to pursue your passion. It has been my lifelong dream to be a singer. I’m very grateful to my teacher Mary Anne David without whose guidance and training I would never have made it this far, Dinali stated.

Dinali is a past pupil of Ladies College and Wycherley International School, where she completed her Advanced Level.

She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the University of Northwood at American National College. She has won many singing  competitions as a student. She began voice-training at an early age and has over the years participated in several festivals, concerts, corporate events etc. both as part of her choral group and as a soloist.

Starting off as a pop singer Dinali won the All-Island Showboat Karaoke Competition in 2001 at the age of 16. Later however she moved onto the classical and operatic field and now sticks almost exclusively to that genre.

Speaking on her plans for the future Dinali stated that she plans to  obtain a Masters degree in vocal music overseas. She also wants to be the first Sri Lankan operatic soprano to represent her country as other Sri Lankans who have entered for such competitions have represented the country they currently live in.

Dinali is married to Andre David, who is himself a vocal trainer. Their son Jordan is one year old and the couple are looking forward to the next addition in May this year.

Tickets for Dinali David – In Recital are available at Charter House International showroom at Havelock Road, Colombo 5. The programme will also feature guest performances by pianist Eshantha Peiris, cellist Shamistha Perera, tenor-baritone Sanjeev Niles and bass-baritone Andre David.

The evening’s programme features highlights from Mozart’s Marriage Of Figaro and works by Schumann, Schubert, Gounod, Gershwin and Bernstein, among others.