CUBA
13 April
Sydney Opera House
On a balmy Sunday evening in April the Sydney Opera House’s Utzon Room was transformed into a vibrant celebration of Cuban soul, rhythm and cultural unity, thanks to an unforgettable concert organised by Artists for Peace in collaboration with the Cuban Embassy in Australia. At the heart of this magical evening was the luminous Turkish Australian soprano, Ayşe Göknur Shanal, whose commanding presence and vocal brilliance captivated the packed room from the very first note. Shanal, a Brisbane-born lyric soprano and one of Australia’s most decorated classical singers, with accolades including the Dame Joan Sutherland Award and the Opera Foundation’s Metropolitan Opera Award, proved once again that her versatility knows no bounds.
Whether in opera, oratorio or Cuban bolero, she commands the stage with ease, warmth and irresistible charm. Opening with Ernesto Lecuona’s ‘Siboney’, Shanal’s soprano soared with a freshness and emotional clarity that left the audience utterly spellbound. Her ability to infuse the piece with both technical finesse and raw feeling set the tone for the night. But it wasn’t just about the music, it was about connection. With disarming charisma, she engaged the audience frequently, cheekily asking how many couples were in the room, sharing her passion for Cuban music and making us feel as though we were all guests at an intimate Havana soirée.
Adding to the magic was an extraordinary trio of musicians: Karella Mitchell (cello), Cheryl Oxley (piano) and Jess Ciampa (percussion). Ciampa’s rhythmic mastery on the congas brought infectious energy, while Oxley’s delicate and nuanced piano work added elegance and heart. Mitchell’s cello lines were lush, emotional and transportive and together the ensemble created a sonic landscape that felt unmistakably, joyfully Cuban.
The evening was not just a performance, it was a celebration: ‘A bridge between nations’, as Cuban Ambassador to Australia Tanieris Dieguez eloquently put it. She didn’t hesitate to join Ayşe on stage for an impromptu duet, drawing delighted applause and underscoring the joyous spontaneity of the night.
From beloved classics like ‘La Bella Cubana’ and ‘La Malagueña’, performed with soul and conviction, to a rousing, encore-worthy rendition of ‘Guantanamera’, the concert was a tribute not just to Cuban music and iconic figures like Company Segundo and Miguel Matamoros, but to the universal language of joy, resilience and togetherness.
By the final notes the crowd was on its feet, singing, clapping, dancing, lifted by a spirit that was bigger than the room itself. Ayşe and her fellow musicians didn’t just perform Cuban music they brought it to life. This was more than a concert, it was a message: of peace, of passion and of the beautiful bonds that music can build.
-Xavier Bichon