Dushyanthi: first Sri Lankan woman to conduct the SOSL

The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka’s Romantic Masterworks concert, scheduled for May 19, features its newest conductor—Dushyanthi Perera, the first Sri Lankan woman to conduct the SOSL.

Dushy is well-known as an accomplished cellist. Not only is she recognized as a gifted soloist, but also as a dedicated an inspiring teacher who is able to imbue her students with a love for music and their instrument.

Dushyanthi Perera

She is the principal cellist of the SOSL, and the director and leader of the Cantando Cello Ensemble. Her exceptional musicianship has been recognized by the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, which has appointed her as their principal cellist.

Her abilities as a director came to the fore when she began the Cantando cello ensemble eight years ago. More recently, she has directed chamber ensembles in the Earle De Fonseka Concert series with much success. It seems a natural progression that she now steps onto the podium to conduct her first orchestral concert.

Dushy will direct the SOSL in three works of the Romantic period. Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” symphony, Dvorak’s serenade for strings and Franz von Suppe’s “Poet and Peasant” overture.

Mendelssohn was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His family was wealthy, he had the best musical instruction, and his talent was prodigious.

No wonder that his music so often makes one think of sunny days and cloudless skies. In 1829, he visited England as part of the “grand tour” young men of means embarked on when they came of age. He was fascinated with Scotland--and was particularly impressed by the brooding atmosphere in the ruined chapel at Holyrood Palace.

Mendelssohn’s symphony expresses Scotland’s soul in a series of sound-paintings; its haunted, misty landscapes, its people and history, the land of romantic legends.

Dvorak wrote only one serenade for strings. This string serenade in E major is an elegant and aptly named work, written when he was trying his wings in a new, smaller genre.

The five movement work was written in just 11 days, and has a sincerity and simplicity that is born of the happiest and most fruitful period of his career. It is memorable for its lyricism, beautiful melody and spirit--sometimes serene, sometimes nostalgic and at others impossibly effervescent.

The Poet and Peasant Overture is Franz von Suppe’s most celebrated single work. It was the first of several pieces that were incidental music for a play “Dichter und Bauer” (Poet and Peasant), first performed in August, 1846. Suppé was influenced by the operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Verdi. His style of melodic naturalness, lightness, and fluency reflects the Italian background that he absorbed in his youth.

The Romantic Masterworks concert is on May 19 at the Ladies’ College Hall. Tickets and box plan are available at the Lionel Wendt after 30th April.