Accademia dell'Opera Italiana & Amber Trust: A Celebration of American Music
Conway Hall presents a night where music transcends boundaries, with Accademia dell’Opera and Amber Trust.
Opera, jazz, and Broadway come together in a powerful celebration of music without limits. This charity fundraising concert draws a compelling connection between the impossible loves of Porgy and Bess and West Side Story with the timeless heartbreak of Italian opera—from I Capuleti e i Montecchi to La Traviata, Un Ballo in Maschera, and Andrea Chénier.
Accademia dell’Opera (AOI) founder Massimo Modoni will take the stage alongside Brian Hughes and the rising stars of AOI, performing with Amber Trust artists, whose talent shines brightly in every note. Hughes will also bring the golden age of American music to life with dazzling New York big band classics from the ‘40s and ‘50s, bridging operatic grandeur with the energy of modern performance.
The evening will also feature an unforgettable performance by Derek Paravicini, the celebrated jazz pianist whose remarkable musical abilities and spontaneous improvisations have earned him international acclaim. Paravicini’s performances are a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to inspire, regardless of circumstance.
Featuring:
Nadiia Chaichenko • mezzo soprano
Brian Hughes • piano
Valerija Iljin • soprano
Massimo Modoni • baritone
Derek Paravicini • piano
Chapman Shum • piano
Programme:
Amazing Grace, Spiritual
Giacomo Puccini | “In quelle trine morbide” from Manon Lescaut
Paolo Tosti | Ideale
Sergei Prokofiev | “No 2. Scene” and “No. 8 Mercutio” from Romeo and Juliet
George Gershwin | “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess
George Gershwin | “The Man I Love” from Lady Be Good
Gian Carlo Menotti | “Lullaby” from The Consul
Leonard Bernstein | “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story
Abram Chasins | Rush Hour in Hong Kong
John Kander | “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret
John Kander | “Life Is A Cabaret!” from Cabaret
INTERVAL
Derek Paravicini | Improvisations and Requests
Giacomo Puccini | “Minnie” from Fanciulla del West
Giuseppe Verdi | “Di Provenza il mar, il suol” from La Traviata
Ethyl Smith | “Pierrot’s aria” from Fete Galante
Umberto Giordano | “Nemico della patria” from Andrea Chénier
Paul Anka | “My Way”
John Kander | “New York, New York”
This event is more than just a concert—it’s a testament to the power of music to break barriers. Amber Trust supports musicians with visual impairments in pursuing their artistic passions, while AOI offers world-class opera training to the most promising talents, regardless of their financial or social backgrounds.
Prepare for an evening of passion, drama, and musical excellence—where tradition meets innovation, and art unites us all.
The Amber Trust is a charity founded in 1995 with the aim to provide blind and partially sighted children, including those with additional disabilities, the best possible chance to meet their musical needs and aspirations. It has grown to become the only national charity dedicated to supporting vision impaired children with their musical development and education. Find out more here.