The evening will feature performances by talented students from the Department of Italian Studies, with five singers showcasing Italian arias accompanied by a pianist.
Between performances, the audience will also be treated to some interludes of Italian baroque music.
Talia Walker, a second-year PhD candidate in the Department of Italian Studies, will be presenting the recital, and has also been involved in publicity for the event.
She said the breathtaking evening will be “the first of its kind” organised by the department.
It will take place in the university’s Great Hall, “which is both an aesthetically and acoustically beautiful venue for such a performance”.
“The performers all approached this event armed with ideas and eagerness,” Walker added.
“Their passion and willingness to be involved has been really wonderful.”
Vanessa Agius is one of the performers on the night and a former student of both a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Voice, and a Diploma of Languages majoring in Italian Studies.
She will sing Stride la Vampa, an aria from Verdi’s opera The Troubadour, which is sung by the gypsy woman Azucena.
Agius grew up listening to Italian opera and singing, and said that “pieces like this are staples of the operatic repertoire and it’s such a privilege to perform them”.
Walker, who has also held the positions of academic tutor and research assistant in the department, mentioned that the Italian departmental staff have been “instrumental in making this night happen”.
“We have been working hard to bring together a night of Italian music and culture which we hope our audience will truly enjoy,” she said.
‘Italian Students on Stage: Aria d’Italia’ will be held on Monday, October 21, in The Great Hall at the University of Sydney, from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm.
The event is free and everyone is welcome.
