Tuesday, August 05, 2025

CCP's The Met: LIVE in HD presents Richard Strauss' Salome


The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents Richard Strauss' Salome, the latest installment of CCP's The Met: LIVE in HD screening on August 12, 2025, 5:30 PM at Glorietta 4, Cinema 1 at the Ayala Center in Makati.


This new production by Claus Guth, set during the Victorian era, stars soprano Elza van den Heever in the titular role, baritone Peter Mattei as Jochanaan, tenor Gerhard Siegel as King Herod, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung as Herodias, and tenor Piotr Buszewski as Narraboth. Met Orchestra's Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.


An advance warning though as this production of Salome contains adult themes and disturbing imagery.


Here is the press release for CCP's The Met: LIVE in HD screening of Strauss' Salome

Salome’s dangerous obsession in CCP’s The Met: LIVE in HD

The biblical tale of the wicked Salome takes center stage in the seventh installment of CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines)’s The Met: LIVE in HD, screening on August 12, 2025, 5:30 pm, at Glorietta 4, Cinema 1 in Makati City.

Composed by Richard Strauss, Salome intertwines the life of the young girl with her stepfather, King Herod, and the prophet Jochanaan. Enthralled by Jochanaan, Salome makes advances. He then rejects her and advises her to seek Christ instead. Blinded by anger, the girl seduces King Herod to get the prophet for herself.

Due to its scandalous tale of eroticism and indecency, Strauss’ Salome was banned in London until 1908. Its provocative number, Dance of the Seven Veils, paints the once innocent girl in a new light. The spoiled princess displays her sexual awakening as a terrifying force, enough to commit murder in the name of her desires. Highlighting Salome’s dangerous obsession with Jochanaan, the opera narrates her inevitable descent into madness and corruption.

Originally a French play by Oscar Wilde, Salome was translated into German by Strauss following Hedwig Lachmann’s libretto. Its unsettling dissonances and turbulent rhythms deny the audiences a gentle introduction, reeling them in with psychological precision. Meanwhile, the use of string, wind, and brass instruments perfectly balances the tale’s eerie atmosphere with the powerful vocals of each singer.

After two decades, the Metropolitan Opera brings Strauss’ Salome back with mezzo-soprano Elza van den Heever brilliantly portraying the unhinged heroine. Tenor Gerhard Siegel joins her as the corrupt King Herod, while celebrated baritone Peter Mattei is Jochanaan. The regality and dark themes of Salome shine with the orchestral performance under the baton of the Met Opera’s music conductor, Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Witness Salome’s tragedy on screen on August 12, 5:30 p.m., at Glorietta 4’s Cinema 1 in Makati City as the seventh installment of the CCP’s The Met: LIVE in HD. The CCP, in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., and Ayala Malls Cinemas, showcases the beauty of operas in excellent Dolby Surround and High-Definition video.

While inspiring a deeper appreciation of all art forms, the country’s leading art institution keeps true to its commitment to providing world-class artistic experiences to Filipinos through The Met: LIVE in HD program. Aside from the performance itself, the opera program gives a glimpse into the nitty-gritty of mounting operas with exclusive interviews and footage.

Regular tickets for CCP’s The Met: LIVE in HD - Season 10 screenings are priced at Php350. Students and young professionals can avail of the discounted price of Php100 upon presentation of a valid ID. You may purchase directly from the ticket booth at the venue or book tickets online via www.sureseats.com.

Get updates on CCP’s The Met: LIVE in HD through the official Facebook pages of CCP and CCP Film, Broadcast, and New Media. For upcoming CCP shows and events, follow the CCP’s official social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. You may also check on the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for more information.

Friday, August 01, 2025

Reviving the Roots of Philippine Theatre: a Month-Long Tribute to Zarzuela at Instituto Cervantes and UST


Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain, and the University of Santo Tomas, present a month-long cultural program highlighting the shared legacy of zarzuela in the Philippines. From August 1 to 28, a cultural celebration featuring weekly zarzuela screenings, an immersive zarzuela workshop, and a Zarzuela recital will take place in the Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros and the University of Santo Tomas.

The Zarzuela, considered to be one of the most treasured forms of art in the Spanish-speaking world, also happens to be the most popular cultural product in the Philippines for decades in history. It is the musical genre that truly left its mark in the history of the Philippine theater, as said in the timeless words of Nick Joaquin, “Certainly, in no other art form, whether in English, Spanish, or Tagalog, has the Filipino shown himself so much at home; and in no other, since then, has he been able to establish such close rapport with the people."

Entitled Zarzuela Viva, this month-long event will feature a weekly screening of zarzuelas throughout August. The series opens on August 1 at 3:00 p.m. with the screening of the documentary Tiempo de Zarzuela by Cristina Otero Roth at the Intramuros branch of Instituto Cervantes. On August 7, also at 3:00 p.m. at the same venue, audiences can enjoy a production by Teatro de la Zarzuela of the classic La del manojo de rosas by Pablo Sorozábal.

The third installment in the series will be a screening of Alfredo Sanzol’s production of El barberillo de Lavapiés by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, scheduled for August 14. The final screening will feature El sobre verde by Jacinto Guerrero on August 28. These last two screenings will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Central Laboratory Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Ramón Grau

Presented as the highlight of Zarzuela Viva, a 4-day Zarzuela Workshop will be conducted by Spanish pianist Ramón Grau from Teatro de La Zarzuela in Madrid. The workshop will be held at the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila (UST) and is addressed to advanced students of music. Those interested in joining the workshop can reserve a spot by submitting their CV to cultmni@cervantes.es.

On August 26, as a result of the Zarzuela workshop led by pianist Ramón Grau, he and the participants will present Zarzuela-Sarswela, a concert featuring a selection of pieces from the classic Spanish zarzuelas El barberillo de Lavapiés and La del manojo de rosas from the screening, alongside works from Philippine sarswelas. The recital will be held at the Education Auditorium (4F Albertus Magnus Building), UST. This event is open to everyone, but attendees and participants are encouraged to register early through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/gqQYWUHzSb

Here is a detailed lineup of the films to be screened:

El barberillo de Lavapiés (2019)


Director/s: Alfredo Sanzol/Jose Miguel Pérez Sierra

El barberillo de Lavapiés is one of the most joyful and iconic pieces in the Spanish lyrical tradition. With music by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri and a libretto by Luis Mariano de Larra, this work has stood the test of time as a symbol of Madrid’s traditional spirit and musical theater. It’s considered a masterpiece of Spanish musical history and a shining example of both Madrilenian character and Hispanic lyrical art.

In this new production, stage director Alfredo Sanzol emphasizes the comic and adventurous aspects of the story, while staying true to its underlying pursuit of beauty. For Sanzol, comedy is a powerful and freeing tool, it allows us to explore life’s conflicts with both depth and lightness. The plot follows the charming and lovable characters Lamparilla and Paloma, whose story intertwines with the romantic entanglements of Marquesita Estrella and Don Luis. All of this unfolds against a political backdrop marked by the transition between the governments of Grimaldi and Floridablanca. The musical direction is led by José Miguel Pérez-Sierra, who brings out the richness of Barbieri’s score, considered one of the high points of the zarzuela genre. The collaboration between Barbieri and Larra resulted in a work that fully captures the essence of Madrid: a story set in 18th-century Madrid, with 19th-century music, and a timeless vitality that still resonates today.

La del Manojo de Rosas (1990)


Directors: Guillermo García Calvo/Emilio Sagi

This production of La del Manojo de Rosas, directed by Emilio Sagi, has become a modern classic of Spanish lyrical theatre. With music by Pablo Sorozábal and a libretto by Anselmo C. Carreño and Francisco Ramos de Castro, this zarzuela is one of the most beloved by audiences, thanks to its lively spirit, humor, and warm portrayal of Madrid in the 1930s.

Since its premiere in 1990, this version has been performed across Spain and even in cities like Rome and Paris, consistently earning praise from both audiences and critics. Sagi’s direction captures the charm and emotional depth of the sainete (a short, comic theatrical piece), giving it a fresh, updated look while staying true to its original character.

Set in a Madrid neighborhood, the story revolves around Ascensión and Clarita, two young, independent and determined women who represent the feminine awakening of a time of change.

Through their voices and their decisions, the play reflects a society in transformation, where Sorozábal's music-full of poetry, grace and emotion- becomes the soul of a close and universal story.

With a new cast and musical direction by Guillermo García Calvo, this production is just as exciting and powerful as it was 30 years ago. La del Manojo de Rosas is not only a tribute to Madrid during the Republican era, but also a celebration of zarzuela as a living art form—one that keeps evolving and continues to touch the hearts of new generations.

El sobre verde (2022)


Directors: Cecilia Bercovich/Nuria Castejón

El sobre verde is a sainete (theatrical humurous skit) in two acts with touches of revue, that is, a musical show set in the popular Madrid of a century ago and in the skyscraper-filled New York of the time. The music is by Francisco Guerrero and the original texts were written by Enrique Paradas and Joaquín Jiménez. In its time it was a huge success, and here we present a revised version of the piece for young audiences (and not-so-young ones). El sobre verde is a festive musical comedy full of songs, dancing, and humor. But in our version, it also offers a brief yet powerful reflection on fortune. In these hyper-connected, highly technological times, mediated by screens, when money governs the fate of the world when having is more important than being, when appearances, the number of ‘likes’, the brand of one’s clothes or the zeros in the bank account seem to matter more than friendship, loyalty or justice, Nicanor's fable, his journey from rags to riches and back again, leaves us with a bittersweet aftertaste and leads us to ask ourselves: what would we do if we found the green envelope?

Tiempo de Zarzuela (2023)


Director: Cristina Otero Roth

Tiempo de Zarzuela is an exciting immersion into the world of the Spanish lyrical genre that has endured for four centuries, becoming an invaluable treasure of the artistic and emotional memory of the Spanish-speaking community. Directed by Cristina Otero Roth and produced by López Li Films in 2023, this film transports us through the history and heritage of zarzuela, revealing its profound impact on Spanish culture and art.

The film delves into the roots of zarzuela, exploring its origins and evolution over the centuries. Through interviews with experts, musicians and actors, Tiempo de Zarzuela offers a unique insight into the importance of this genre in Hispanic culture and and its influence on music and theater both in Spain and beyond.

From the earliest zarzuelas to the most contemporary productions, the film presents a wide range of memorable moments and outstanding performances. It also provides a glimpse into the current landscape of zarzuela, demonstrating that it remains a vibrant and relevant form of artistic expression today. Tiempo de Zarzuela is a tribute to a genre that has touched the hearts of audiences around the world and continues to captivate new generations with its rich tradition and exciting interpretations.

Here is the schedule of screenings:

Instituto Cervantes, Intramuros
August 1, 2025, 3:00 PM 
Tiempo de Zarzuela
August 7, 2025, 3:00 PM
La del Manojo de Rosas

Central Laboratory Auditorium, UST
August 14, 2025, 3:00 PM
El barberillo de Lavapiés
August 28, 2025, 3:00 PM
El sobre verde

Zarzuela Viva is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID, the Conservatory of Music of UST, Teatro de La Zarzuela, and Intramuros Administration.

For more information about Zarzuela Viva, visit Instituto Cervantes' website at www.manila.cervantes.es, or follow it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila/

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

RAd's Page Turners: White Noise by Don DeLillo


Back in December last year, I decided to get White Noise by Don DeLillo done and over with as it has been on my to be read pile even before the pandemic began. Because of the holiday distractions that came along with that time of the year, I plowed through it at a glacial pace. I somehow neglected the book altogether as the plot picked up with the black cloud just about to threaten the lives of Jack Gladney, his family and the rest of the college town.


An unfinished book bothers me so here I am, more than half a year later, attempting to read it again. And it's only recently that I learned that the novel has been adapted into a film. Yeah, how can I miss news about it? Directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, and Don Cheadle, the film adaptation of White Noise is available to view over at Netflix. Nothing motivates me more to finish a book than a film adaptation already waiting at the sidelines.


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White Noise by Don DeLillo


White Noise tells the story of Jack Gladney, his fourth wife, Babette, and four ultra­modern offspring as they navigate the rocky passages of family life to the background babble of brand-name consumerism. When an industrial accident unleashes an “airborne toxic event,” a lethal black chemical cloud floats over their lives. The menacing cloud is a more urgent and visible version of the “white noise” engulfing the Gladneys—radio transmissions, sirens, microwaves, ultrasonic appliances, and TV murmurings—pulsing with life, yet suggesting something ominous.

Friday, July 25, 2025

"Dois Fabios" headline MSO's Brazilian Guitar & Cello concert


Not just one, but two Fabios are set to bring Brazilian music to the Manila Symphony Orchestra's latest installment of its 2025-2026 season happening on August 9, 2025, 7:30 PM at the Bayanihan Hall, Creative Arts Centre of the British School Manila, BGC in Taguig.

The "dois Fabios" headlining the concert, billed as Brazilian Guitar & Cello, are guitarist Fábio Zanon and cellist Fabio Presgrave. Joining them at this concert is soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila while MSO's music director and principal conductor Marlon Chen takes to the podium.

Music to be performed includes the Prelúdio (Ponteio) from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7 and the Ária and Dança from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Jeffrey Ching's Concerto da camera, Radamés Gnattali's Concerto No. 4 for Guitar and String Orchestra, and Astor Piazzolla's Le Grand Tango for Cello and String Orchestra.

Fábio Zanon

Guitarist Fábio Zanon earned his master’s from the University of London and rose to prominence by winning major guitar competitions in 1996, including the Francisco Tárrega, GFA, and Alessandria contests; he later received numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario and awards such as the Carlos Gomes Prize and Bravo! Award.

Fabio Presgrave

Born in Rio, cellist Fabio Presgrave earned his degree from The Juilliard School and has performed as soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Qatar Philharmonic and Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, under renowned conductors such as Rafael Payare and Lior Shambadal.

Stefanie Quintin-Avila

Praised for her vocal flexibility and commanding presence, Stefanie Quintin-Avila is a multi-awarded soprano, receiving honors such as the Delphic Lyra Award and the Presidential Award for Culture and the Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of the Philippines and a Master’s in Contemporary Music Performance from UC San Diego.

Marlon Chen

Known for his dynamic charisma and versatility, Marlon Chen has led performances across four continents in opera, ballet, and symphonic music. He was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra in 2019 and holds guest conducting roles with leading ensembles worldwide.

Brazilian Guitar & Cello is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil through Guimarães Rosa Institute (IGR) and the Embassy of Brazil in Manila.