International artists: Rusanda Panfili, violinist from Romania; and Kate Rafferty, soprano from Vienna; join the singers and musicians of “Opera by Candlelight”. They’ll give you a splendid entertainment of wonderful tunes and astonishing virtuosity.

“Gypsy Fire” is shaping up to be the best and most enjoyable show I’ve yet presented. Here’s the important things you need to tell your friends about this unique entertainment:

A great night out!

This is much more than a concert…it’s a complete entertainment with great performers and best loved tunes, a wonderful hall beautifully decorated for the occasion, a chance to share wine and food and good times with your friends, and performers who are not only great talents: they are also young, beautiful and glam!

Invite your friends to join you for wonderful event which is presented in a unique format with wine and supper!

Three performances at Canberra’s Albert Hall:

Friday October 31, 8pm. Theatre style with champagne supper.

Saturday Nov 1, 6pm. Banquet seating (minimum tables of 8)

Sunday Nov 2, 6pm. Theatre seating with supper and wine.

The search for a truly great violinist…

I spent June and July travelling around Austria, Hungary and the Balkans in the search for a fantastic violinist. I was seeking a great musical talent, and also a performer who can capture the passion of gypsy music. I met with violinists from the Vienna Philharmonic and the opera orchestras, and many of them spoke of Rusanda Panfili as the best and most glamorous young violinist performing in Europe.

Rusanda was born in Moldova and spend her childhood in Romania: the heartland of the gypsy violin. She started violin studies at age 5, and at 7 years was a student of the Enesco violin academy in Bucharest. At 11 years she was the youngest ever student admitted to the Vienna Conservatory, and by then she had won 7 international competitions. She then won the coveted Herbert von Karajan prize before launching her international concert career which takes her around eastern and western Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.

Seeing is believing, so watch the Youtube video on this page.

Rusanda is now rehearsing with my daughter Kate in Vienna. They’re preparing their new concert “Gypsy Fire…Gypsy Heart”. They’ll present this programme in Austria, Hungary and Romania before they bring this passionate and virtuosic music to Australia at the end of October.

Rusanda’s concert schedule is tight…so I can only present her for three performances in Canberra. The banquet performance on Saturday night is limited to only 42 tables, so early booking is essential.

“Gypsy Fire…Gypsy Heart” features the most evocative and exciting tunes and heady rhythms of the Hungarian and Romanian gypsy traditions, with special tributes to the colours of Spain, the elegance of the Viennese ballroom, and the dark passions of Russia.

Soprano and Violin:

This is a unique concert: The combination of virtuoso violin and coloratura soprano is thrilling…instrument and voice weave astonishing patterns around each other in a display of scintillating showmanship. You’ll enjoy special arrangements: this unique combination will present favourite tunes by Tchaikovsky, Strauss, and Puccini:

Opera highlights:

You’ll enjoy a handful of highlights from grand opera. The rousing “Gypsy chorus” from Il Trovatore will feature Rusanda leading our wonderful singers. “Caro nome” from Rigoletto has earned Kate standing ovations in Austria and Poland. The beloved “O mio Babbino caro” (theme from the movie “A Room with a View”) is featured in my new arrangement for voice and violin, and the castanets will snap away in Verdi’s Sicilian Bolero!

Trick or Treat?

Our season opens on Halloween, so I’m including a scary but thrilling surprise. Book now to enjoy this special spooky moment in a unique entertainment!

Two enjoyable formats…

There are two ways you can enjoy these unique events: banquet night (Saturday Nov. 1) and supper shows (Friday Oct. 31 and Sunday Nov. 2).

Banquet night (Saturday November 1) is the opportunity for you to enjoy your own musical dinner party. Gather a group of 8 or more friends, pack a banquet of yummy food, arrive at stately Albert Hall where your table is waiting. You’ll walk into the beautifully decorated hall to your own table set with a white linen table cloth, a glittering silver candelabra, and a generous selection of good wines. Enjoy your dinner with your friends, be entertained by the captivating gypsy tunes, and go home with a spring in your step and a song in your heart! All seats are $80 and wine is included. There are only 42 tables available.

Supper nights (Friday Oct 31 and Sunday November 2): You’ll arrive at the hall to hear the pop of the champagne corks. Snack on a chicken or smoked salmon sandwich and then take your glass to your seat and enjoy the excitement of “Gypsy Fire”. You’ll enjoy more wine selection at interval, as well as some yummy sweets, then more stunning entertainment! All seats are $80 including wine and nibbles.

A feast for the eyes and the ears…

Fabulous music isn’t all you’ll enjoy…this show will look fantastic. All the singers and musicians look as good as they sound, and I have a lot of fun selecting dozens of wonderful colourful dresses for the beautiful young ladies.

My devoted and brilliant stage designer Ian Croker is creating an interior design based on the motifs and colours of the last days of the Austro-Hungarian empire and it’s Rococo and Art Deco influences. Book now so you can enjoy this spectacle!

BOOK by emailing Carl Rafferty: raffertycarl@internode.on.net