In a programme of Liszt: Petrarca sonnets, Duparc: selection of songs and arias by Massenet, Verdi and Puccini
Amar Muchhala made his Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, debut as ‘Chulak’ in the world premiere of David Bruce’s The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, going on to sing the role of ‘Alex’ in the world premiere of Søren Nils Eichberg’s Glare. He covered the role of ‘Pasterz’ in the 2015 ROH production of Król Roger, Szymanowski, directed by Kasper Holten under the baton of Maestro Antonio Pappano and recently covering Jonas Kaufman in the title role of Werther, Massenet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, having stepped in for all the rehearsals.
Other notable engagements include the titular role in Massenet’s Le Roi de Lahore with Dorset Opera, Macduff in Macbeth for English Touring Opera, Froh in Das Rheingold for Birmingham Opera Company, Cavaradossi with Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic, The Hallé and performances with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Ed Gardner.
Engagements in Germany include the title-role Werther for Theatre Regensburg, Camille Desmoulins, in Gottfried von Einem’s Dantons Tod at Staatsoper Hannover and Theatre Magdeburg and Georg in Boieldieu’s Die Weisse Dame with Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg.
Resident in London, Amar was born in Bombay and read French Literature at Franklin & Marshall College, USA going on to attend the opera course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.
Johann Peiris is a Sri Lankan pianist who has collaborated on many musical projects ranging from vocal recitals, chamber music, musical theatre and solo appearances with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and the Chamber Music Society of Colombo.
As a chamber musician, he has also performed in Europe as part of the Vianden Chamber Music Festival, Luxembourg and with the Summer Voice Festival at the Manhattan School of Music, as a collaborative pianist. He was a chorus member of the Neemrana Music Foundation’s productions of ‘The Pearl Fishers’ in Colombo and ‘Carmen’ in New Delhi (2008-2009).
Johann holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sociology from Ithaca College and New York University respectively, where he received further training in music.
He has been involved as musician or musical director of theatre productions such as Cinderella and Fun Home. His range of musical styles span from Renaissance choral music to experimental music projects for festivals such as Colomboscope.
He has collaborated in recitals with Dhilan Gnanadurai, Harin Amirthanathan (baritone), Chrisni Mendis, Dhanushi Wijeyekulasuriya (soprano) Thaisen Raush (tenor) and Ireene Ollino (mezzo). As a chamber musician, he has performed most recently with violinists Sulara Nanayakkara, Madelein Mitchell, Ruben Jeyasundaram (cello) and Danielle de Neise (soprano).
