Refreshing performance by ‘Princesses of Violin’

The famous Hungarian trio ‘Princesses of Violin’ took to the stage, for an evening of delightful music at a local hotel. Before the performance began, the Hungarian Ambassador Istavan Szabo welcomed the audience and said the trio is among Hungary’s best.

“I promise you, this will be a special treat,” he said.

The aptly named Princesses of Violin, truly rule the stage. They are highly skilled musicians who masterfully blend classical and popular tunes to produce a unique sound. Since 2001, they have performed all over Europe and even further afield. The trio has released two platinum albums with a total sale of over 150,000 albums.

As their first performance in Islamabad progressed, everyone in the audience was tapping their feet. The music sounded refreshing as classical tunes were transformed with faster beats. The evening ended with a thundering applause and standing ovation from the audience.

“The promise of a great night of music was certainly kept,” remarked Sohail Kiani, a Pakistani-Canadian investment banker.

He said that whenever such events are organised, one realises how cosmopolitan Islamabad can be.

“The performance was alive, loud, with great light effects,” said a European diplomat.

She added that it was a concert that could energise anyone.

The concert had been organised by the Embassy of Hungary in cooperation with MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas. The young CEO, Akos Grosz, appeared delighted with the musical performance. His company’s sponsorship for the event had been successful in bringing Pakistan and Hungary closer together.

The ‘Princesses of Violin’ will perform in some other cities of Pakistan before returning to Hungary.

Guests enjoy a serene musical breakfast

Opera singer and teacher Lynley Ruth Butt with Daniel Sung on piano.

Classical music, great weather and delicious food combined for the perfect spring breakfast at the house of Lynley Ruth Butt.

“The rain gave the musical breakfast a spring-like feel,” said a European guest at the event. “The sun would have actually been a distraction. The weather reminds me of my home,” she added.

Opera singer and teacher Lynley Ruth Butt is originally from New Zealand but has been a resident of Pakistan for many decades. She hosts such events a few times a year.

For this event, over 50 guests were seated in large drawing room with a piano and a grand piano.

Lynley’s son Aaron Rashid, a musician and filmmaker, was in charge of the professionally arranged audio system, recording the almost two-hour long programme for a possible CD.

“I just came back from a visit to the United States and my mother came back from New Zealand so we decided to host the event,” he said.

“I am glad I attended. This was a pleasant and serene morning of music. The beautiful violin and piano recitals from the classical European composers were a treat to hear,” said Gulzar Wazir, who had come with three NGO colleagues from Peshawar.

Another guest said that the elaborate breakfast and conversation were pleasant breaks in the programme. “And so were the three poems about spring and good human relations, read by one of the participants,” she added.

“I have attended many events organised by Lynley,” said a Pakistani guest.

“Often large concerts are for the elite. Lynley’s concerts are for students and children of the elite and others, too. I am glad to meet ambassadors and other diplomats, but I am also glad to meet their children and spouses, as at Lynley’s,” she said.

Lynley Butt thanked the audience and the musicians. About Sonia Ciavaglioli, a ‘voice of gold’, she said she suggested that she should join the opera in her home country when her husband’s diplomatic posting in Pakistan ends. She added that there is much talent and potential and many ‘voices of gold’ in Pakistan, local and foreign.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2015

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