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American soprano Lindsay Feldmeth and Japanese pianist Ayako Watanabe are in town to give us a glimpse, for the very first time, of opera as part of a two week 'Music for Peace' festival. The soprano and pianist, who have been performing throughout the world together since 2001, were awarded a David Projects for Peace grant, allowing them to play here to promote world peace and cultural exchange.
The Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, which is staging the event with the support of Hope Partnership Nepal, is also offering workshops and opera masterclasses with the musicians as well as live performances by Nepali group 1974 A.D, Luniva, Hindustani fusion groups, singer Priti Kaur and others. The aim is to coalesce diverse cultures on the stage and promote a sense of oneness among people from two opposite sides of the world through musical performance.
"Music and peace is indistinguishable," says Feldmeth, for whom music has been the sole source of tranquility since she was 15. Having played at several countries all over the world - Austria, Japan, Italy, Moscow, the US?they strongly believe that 'the universal language of music' has the power to make the world a peaceful home.
Feldman will also present peace scholarship awards for talented Nepali musicians to study for a full year at KJC.
The Music for Peace Festival is from 27 June - 3 July. For more information and schedule visit http://www.katjazz.com
