Musical Soiree Under The Rain Tree

Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI) marked the occasion by hosting a Musical Soiree Under The Rain Tree.

Also held in conjunction with the institute’s 13th anniversary, the event featured the powerful vocals of mezzo-soprano Marion Olsen from New Zealand and pianist Nigel Foster from England, both specially invited to perform on the night.

Their musical repertoire included numbers from composers Roger Quilter, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Richard Strauss, Johannes Brahms, Georges Bizet, Charles-Camille Saint-Saens, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and George Gershwin.

After the operatic treat, guests joined in the countdown to Earth Hour 2010. As the clock struck 8.30pm, all lights were turned off and the crowd started lighting up hundreds of candles.

They then indulged in a sumptuous buffet dinner sponsored by G Hotel, illuminated only by candlelight, under a giant rain tree at the institute’s spacious compound on Brown Road.

Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, SERI chairman Datuk Dr Sharom Amat, SERI Centre for Economics committee chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon and SERI Centre for Habitat and Environment committee chairman Datuk Dr Leong Yueh Kwong.

The Star