The Brisbane City Pops Orchestra is delighted to be presenting our second concert for 2024, entitled Love and Latin. This programme combines the wonderful rhythms and melodies of Latin music with some of our favourite songs and music inspired by the heart – what a combination!

The orchestra will be presenting two pieces from the well-known Andalucia Suite by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, sure to have your feet tapping! We will also perform the fabulous music of Carmen Suite No. 1 by Bizet, the wonderful melodies taken from the famous opera about love and tragedy.

The BCPO is excited to welcome back Chen Yang, not only as our conductor for this concert, but also as an amazing soloist, performing the beautiful Romance by Svendson on violin – sure to melt your heart!

The orchestra will present a wide variety of music for your entertainment, including the favourite Begin the Beguine by Cole Porter, the tender tones of the mellow Cavatina by Myers, the lively Cumana by Barclay Allen, a selection of fabulous music from the show Guys and Dolls by Loesser and the melodic Yellow Bird by Luboff. We will also perform Estrellita by Ponce, a wonderful piece featuring the trumpet and Leroy Anderson’s Blue Tango – you will definitely feel like dancing!

The BCPO is very happy to be welcoming back one of our favourite and most popular guest artists, Raffaele Pierno, an amazing Neapolitan Tenor!

Raffaele was born in Naples, Italy (in the same street as the legendary Tenor, Enrico Caruso) and started singing at a very young age. As a teenager he entertained people by performing at local trattorias, where he was discovered by his future voice coach. Raffaele trained under baritone Antonio Finizio from the Royal Theatre San Carlo in Naples and was taught the disciplines of “bel canto” singing, as were famous singers Luciano Pavarotti, Enrico Caruso and others. He has performed extensively throughout Europe, Italy and Australasia for many charities and brings his heritage of Neapolitan songs to his audiences with his beautiful voice and passionate singing!

Raffaele will delight you with his performance of Trio Italiano, an arrangement of three very popular Italian songs, the heart-felt Flower Song from Carmen by Bizet, the dramatic Granada by Lara and the light-hearted Donkey Serenade by Friml.

So please come and join the Brisbane City Pops Orchestra for a wonderfully entertaining afternoon of memorable melodies and rich rhythms as we celebrate the uplifting music of Love and Latin!