Encore to encore
View(s):The Revelations Mixed Voice Choir, under the dynamic direction of Sanjeev Jayaratnam, delivered a stunning celebration of music across decades in Encore on August 9 and 10 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
Featuring hits from the 80s and 90s, the concert was a seamless blend of powerful vocals, tight harmonies, and sharp choreography, showcasing the choir’s versatility and spirit.
The curtain rose on ‘Fame’, an explosive rendition of the song from the 1980s musical of the same name, complete with high-octane harmonies and choreography setting the tone for what would be an exceptional show. The momentum surged with ‘Eye of the Tiger’, Survivor’s anthem from the film Rocky III, which was a tribute to resilience and the underdog spirit.
Sanjeev Jayaratnam and the Revelations choir. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
An uplifting arrangement of Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’ lightened the mood with its inspiring message and toe-tapping harmonies. The choir then returned to the 80s with an energetic arrangement of the Bon Jovi classic, ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’, encouraging the audience to join in a rousing sing-along of the chorus, a challenge they eagerly embraced.
The mood shifted to one of sombre reflection with Sting’s ‘Fragile’, a poignant ballad which speaks of the fragility of life and the futility of violence. Journey’s anthem of hope and persistence, ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, spiked the energy once more, reigniting the crowd’s enthusiasm through another sing-along. Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ brought some attitude followed by the infectious groove of Ray Charles’ ‘Tell Me What I Say’, which had the audience clapping and responding in true call-and-response style.
The second half of the evening began with Lionel Richie’s ‘Jesus is Love’, which introduced a gospel depth, featuring soul-stirring harmonies and the enthralling vocals of soloist Movin Perera. Then came a rollercoaster ride through everyone’s favourite hits from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s – a pop medley of songs by Train, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Hanson, Backstreet Boys that kept feet tapping.
The choir moved back into a gospel setting once more with a powerful arrangement of one of the world’s most beloved hymns, ‘How Great Thou Art’, providing a moment of reverence. Keeping to the same theme, the choir also performed ‘Total Praise’ by Richard Smallwood, adding to the feeling of sacred awe and gratitude.
Billy Joel’s ‘Lullaby’ offered a rare moment of stillness – a stripped-back arrangement that was intimate and heartfelt. In contrast, ‘Purple Rain’ by Prince became a dramatic choral spectacle, with its rock and soul blend swelling into a powerful moment. An arrangement of the popular hit ‘Long Train’ by The Doobie Brothers drove the audience to clap, move, and sing along in a joyous build-up to the finale.
Robbie Williams’ breakout solo ballad ‘Angels’ closed the night on a note of togetherness, with the audience joining the choir in a moving and emotional sing-along in what was a fitting end to a concert celebrating music, community, and connection.
What set Encore apart was the dynamic interaction between the audience, the choir, and the live band consisting of Dinuka Jayasuriya on bass, Yohan Jayasuriya on drums, Mahira Dissanayake on guitar, and Rowena Loganathan, Shevan de Alwis, and Sanjeev himself on keyboards. Backed by this group of talented musicians, with expressive choreography by Julian Anderson, each number was delivered with precision and limitless energy. Encore was exactly what its name promised: a return to something worth repeating, a musical reminder that every stage of life can be a triumphant second act.
-Shannon Salgadoe
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