Night of Enchantment

It was a magical night at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on May 9 as more than 12,000 people gathered for the YTL Concert of Celebration 2010 which featured world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The concert, part of a series of world-class concerts organised in celebration of YTL’s major milestones and achievements, was conceived to share YTL’s values of friendship, celebration and love for God and mankind with the Singaporean people.

Peaceful and picturesque, the Botanic Gardens was the perfect setting for the concert. That night, the audience overflowed from the Botanic Gardens’ Swan Lake to the adjacent Palm Valley Lawns as they congregated to catch Bocelli live. Before the concert commenced, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh touched the hearts of the audience with his profession of God’s grace and goodness by giving praise and glory to God for the achievements and success of YTL thus far.

Bocelli opened the show with a powerful performance, leaving the crowd eagerly for more. He mesmerised the audience with one after another of his much-loved songs – Puccini, Brandisi, Mamma and others. World-renowned flautist Andrea Griminelli, who is no stranger to YTL concerts, delivered a breathtaking performance of Gabriel’s Oboe and Flight of the Bumblebee. Other artistes who performed that night included Slovenian soprano Sabina Cvilak and Australian singer Delta Goodrem. They were accompanied by the Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonic Chamber Choir, conducted by Eugene Kohn.

The guests-of-honour for the evening were President of the Republic of Singapore SR Nathan and his wife. Other specially invited guests included Datuk Michelle Yeoh, Datuk Mohamed Nazim Razak, Datuk Jimmy Choo and publisher/CEO of KL Lifestyle Datuk Gary Thanasan and his wife Datin Dr Sharmilla Thanasan.

Throughout the night, the crowd couldn’t get enough of Bocelli and the maestro looked like he was equally enjoying himself. He performed seven encores and received a massive standing ovation as he returned to sing Can’t Help Falling In Love and The Prayer together with Delta Goodrem before moving into his famous closing song Con Te Partirò with Sabina Cvilak. In a surprise ending, Bocelli performed Nessun Dorma – a particular favourite of Tan Sri Francis Yeoh. In a grand display of celebration typical of YTL style, the night sky was illuminated with brilliant fireworks as the crowd erupted into joyous cheers.

CONCERT OF CELBRATION BY YTL

YTL’s much-loved Concert of Celebration is a series of world-class concerts organised in celebration of YTL’s major milestones and achievements. Since 1994, YTL has chosen to celebrate its achievements every year with a classical music concert for all to enjoy. It has been YTL’s way of sharing the magical quality of music with the community. The concerts were also part of YTL’s spiritual endeavour to give thanks to God for all His blessings.

Some of the most prominent artistes in the world had been featured in the concerts. In 2003, the Three Tenors – Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and the late Luciano Pavarotti – performed against the backdrop of World Heritage City, Bath, to a live audience of over 40,000. YTL’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2005 saw a free outdoor concert featuring popular classical crossover tenor Russel Watson, accompanied by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in Sentul Park, Kuala Lumpur.

This time around, Singapore has been chosen as the venue of YTL Concert of Celebrations as a number of YTL’s successful business operations are based there. They include PowerSeraya – YTL’s flagship investment in Singapore’s energy market, Singapore-based real estate investment trust Starhill Reit with ownership in Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City, real estate developments Sandy Island and Kasara (the Lake on Sentosa Cove), and Westwood Apartments on Orchard Boulevard.

by Tan Sher Lynn