By Tyron Devotta
"On the last day of August, practices began late in the morning as choristers who once sang under the baton of maestro Claver Perera reunited to test and tune their voices for the repertoire chosen for the year-end concert. This gathering marked the first rehearsal for the forthcoming Jubilee Concert — a celebration of six decades in music, six decades that have left an indelible imprint on generations of singers."
At first, the voices wavered, some unpracticed in recent years, stumbled over notes as the first few songs were attempted. There were chuckles at forgotten entries and raised brows at missed cues. But as latecomers filed in — the “old stragglers,” — something began to stir. Under the calm but firm direction of Geoffrey Alagaratnam, the scattered threads of sound were coaxed into harmony.
“Everyone was moving in different directions at the start,” Geoffrey admitted, with a smile, “but then it came together. You could see the singers relax, enjoy the sound, and remember why we sang in the first place.”
Songs of Another Land, Roots of Our Own
The repertoire chosen for the Jubilee reflects the choir’s roots in Alpine music — rustic, melodic songs drawn from the mountains of Italy. For audiences unfamiliar with this tradition, the themes are surprisingly universal.
There is Il Testamento del Capitano, the moving lament of a dying captain who calls his soldiers to his side. There is La Montanara, a hymn to the beauty of the mountains; Quel mazzolin di fiori, the playful gift of flowers to a beloved; and La Valsugana, nostalgic for home and peace.
“These are not operatic pieces,” Geoffrey explained. “They are country songs, folk harmonies. They tell stories in the same way our village music in Sri Lanka does — love, loss, duty, hope. Their simplicity is their strength. Even if the audience doesn’t understand Italian, the music speaks.”
It was with these songs that Fr. Claver first introduced his version of choral music to Sri Lanka. Beginning with an all-male choir in the 1960s, he built a group of young men that went on to win competitions and captivate audiences. One of those early performances — of an Italian mountain piece that won them fame — remains etched in the choir’s memory as a turning point.
Geoffrey Alagaratnam conducting the first rehearsal for the Jubilee Concert
A Reunion of Voices
Old boys of St. Peter’s and St. Joseph’s were present, as were the ladies of Holy Family Convent, who have long added warmth and color to the choral sound.
Though some voices showed the effects of time, the enthusiasm was not dimmed. Online rehearsals have already drawn interest from alumni abroad. Singers like Jehan Bastians (Australia) and Stefan Corera (Middle East) are preparing to return to Colombo to join the final performance. By year’s end, Geoffrey expects a choir of thirty to forty voices, blending long-time stalwarts with new reinforcements.
“The first practice was better than expected,” Geoffrey reflected. “Some didn’t know the pieces, but they caught on quickly. The catchy nature of the mountain songs helps — once you’ve sung them, they stay with you.”
Beyond the Notes
For Geoffrey, the significance of the Jubilee Concert extends beyond music. It is about institutional memory — the passing on of cultural traditions from one generation to the next.
“Culture doesn’t stand still,” he said. “These mountain songs may seem foreign, but they echo our own traditions. Just as Italians sang them in the Alps, our rural people sang their own stories in the fields and villages. By revisiting these songs, we remind ourselves where our choral journey began — and perhaps inspire others to carry it forward.”
The concert, he added, will not only recall the past but also offer the hope of continuity.
A Legacy in Song
For the singers, the concert is deeply personal. It is a chance to reconnect with old friends, to remember rehearsals long ago under the gimlet eye of Fr. Claver, and to honor the legacy of a man who shaped not only their voices but their lives.
“Our aim,” Geoffrey concluded, “is to remind ourselves of the flavor of those years, to celebrate the St. Mary’s Choral Group, and to say: this mattered. What we did was meaningful. And if that legacy inspires future generations, then we’ve succeeded.”
As the morning rehearsal drew to a close, the room no longer echoed with hesitation. Instead, voices rose in harmony, carrying the strains of Alpine songs across decades, a bridge between past and present.
The Jubilee Concert promises to be more than a performance — it will be a reunion of voices, a celebration of memory, and a testament to the power of song.
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