Past and recent winners share the spotlight in NAMCYA's 45th anniversary concert

Diomedes Saraza Jr., Rachelle Gerodias, Gerard Salonga, Renato Lucas,
Andrew Fernando, Nicole Pugeda, Radnel Ofalsa,
and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

The celebrations for the 45^th anniversary of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) continued with a concert featuring past and recent winners that was recently held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The one night affair, billed as Bayan ng Musika, Alay ng NAMCYA, featured violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., soprano Rachelle Gerodias, baritone Andrew Fernando, soprano Nicole Pugeda, tenor Radnel Ofalsa, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga and Renato Lucas.

Violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., conductor Gerard Salonga,
and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

To kick things off, Gerard Salonga led the orchestra with a delightful Overture from Così fan tutte, K. 588 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Then it was Diomedes Saraza Jr. (2002 1^st Prize Violin Category) who took to the stage performing Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64. This piece has been a popular choice among violinists at the NAMCYA. There was a year when 5 out of the 7 competitors had this piece. It was a taxing experience to sit through that many and with just a piano accompaniment to boot. But not taxing at all was Diomedes Saraza, Jr. breezing through it with such security during the concert. His encore was an upgrade of his staple, Willy Cruz’s Sana’y Wala Ng Wakas, performed that night with the orchestra.

Baritone Andrew Fernando, soprano Rachelle Gerodias,
conductor Renato Lucas, soprano Nicole Pugeda, tenor Radnel Ofalsa,
and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

The second half had Renato Lucas conducting the orchestra with an interesting mixed bag of Filipino songs, arias and rarely heard Filipino short orchestral pieces namely Jullio Nakpil’s Salve Patria and Rosendo Santos’ Maglalatik that evoked images of processions and celebrations in rural areas.

Soprano Nicole Pugeda (2017 2^nd Prize Senior Voice Category) performed Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran by Francisco Santiago showcasing a rich timbre still retaining that sparkle and lightness of youth. Her luscious lower tones were heard in great effect especially when in contrast with Rachelle Gerodias during their duet of Duo des fleurs/Sous le dôme épais aka the popular The Flower Duet from Léo Delibes' opera Lakmé.

Tenor Radnel Ofalsa (1^st Prize Senior Voice Category) did the challenging Ecco, ridente in cielo from Gioachino Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia. He is clearly one of the young tenors whose range is impeccable and when he finds more polish in his runs, I won’t be surprised if he gets substantial roles in opera productions soon.

As always, baritone Andrew Fernando (1998 2^nd Prize Voice Category) had such physical and vocal presence on stage with his performance of Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre, the Toreador song from Georges Bizet’s Carmen. He remained in character throughout the aria and it would not have been difficult for people to figure out what his character was all about despite not knowing any French nor the story of Carmen.

As a staunch supporter of young and upcoming talent through the Klassikal Music Foundation, Andrew made sure that he didn’t overpower Radnel and let the younger one shine too in their duet of Au fond du temple saint from Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles/The Pearl Fishers.

I do have to commend soprano Rachelle Gerodias (1990 2^nd Prize Voice Category) who exemplified what professionalism is that night, giving a masterful performance despite a most difficult personal circumstance. Her take on Nicanor Abelardo’s Mutya ng Pasig was impassioned. Having heard performances of this song with just a piano accompaniment throughout the years has made me forget how much more moving this music could be with an orchestra. She also capped the program with an English version of Mein Herr Marquis, aka Adele's Laughing Song from Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus.

Encore was I Love You So from Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow with the four singers that gave the audience an idea on how NAMCYA has paved the way for musicians to achieve greater things beyond the competition. See who follows their footsteps as the 2018 NAMCYA National Finals Competition happens this November20-25, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.