Before the onslaught of the sickeningly sweet and saccharine Valentines Day offerings, experience something tragic, classic, and definitely operatic with Lucia di Lammermoor, the opera masterpiece with music by Gaetano Donizetti and libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, to be staged on January 31, 2020, 8:00 PM and February 2, 2020, 3:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Rustan Group of Companies, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., and the Embassy of Italy Manila, this production marks the return of international Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu, portraying the role of Edgardo, to the CCP Main Theater stage since 2012's Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
CCP President Arsenio Nick Lizaso recalled how impressed he was with Arthur Espiritu when he saw his Special Concert Series back in September 2018 and that he deserves to be seen at a bigger stage in a full opera production as opposed to a recital.
Joining Espiritu is French-Aremenian soprano Melody Louledjian singing the titular role of Lucia. This opera will both serve as her Philippine debut and also her debut with the role of Lucia. At the press conference, Louledjian admitted that she has been preparing for this role and was just waiting for the opportunity to portray it someday. And now that the opportunity has come and in Manila of all places, she considers these as "presents".
Despite not having worked together before, both Espiritu and Louledjian felt chemistry right away during their first rehearsal together. Louledjian owed it to the "magical language of music", despite saying not a word, "you feel like you have an answer from your partner" which Espiritu agreed with.
Rounding up the international cast are Korean baritone Byeong-In Park (Enrico), Filipino tenor Ivan Nery (Arturo), Chinese bass Shi Zong (Raimondo), mezzo-soprano Camille Lopez-Molina (Alisa), Nomher Nival (Normanno), and the Viva Voce Lab choral group along with guest singers from various music schools in Manila and Iloilo.
This opera also sees the return of director, set and costume designer Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and assistant director Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, the same duo from the 2017 production of L'Elisir d'Amore. Other members of the creative team include Giovanni Pirandello (Lighting Director and Giampaolo Lomi Ormanni (Creative Project Coordinator).
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| Arthur Espiritu and Melody Louledjian |
CCP President Arsenio Nick Lizaso recalled how impressed he was with Arthur Espiritu when he saw his Special Concert Series back in September 2018 and that he deserves to be seen at a bigger stage in a full opera production as opposed to a recital.
Joining Espiritu is French-Aremenian soprano Melody Louledjian singing the titular role of Lucia. This opera will both serve as her Philippine debut and also her debut with the role of Lucia. At the press conference, Louledjian admitted that she has been preparing for this role and was just waiting for the opportunity to portray it someday. And now that the opportunity has come and in Manila of all places, she considers these as "presents".
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| Arthur Espiritu and Melody Louledjian |
Despite not having worked together before, both Espiritu and Louledjian felt chemistry right away during their first rehearsal together. Louledjian owed it to the "magical language of music", despite saying not a word, "you feel like you have an answer from your partner" which Espiritu agreed with.
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| Camille Lopez-Molina, Byeong-In Park, Arthur Espiritu, Melody Louledjian, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, and Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong |
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra provides live orchestral accompaniment with Maestro Alessandro Palumbo conducting.
This opera also sees the return of director, set and costume designer Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and assistant director Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, the same duo from the 2017 production of L'Elisir d'Amore. Other members of the creative team include Giovanni Pirandello (Lighting Director and Giampaolo Lomi Ormanni (Creative Project Coordinator).
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| Camille Lopez-Molina, Byeong-In Park, CCP President Arsenio J. Lizaso, Italian Ambassador Giorgio Gugliemino, Arthur Espiritu, Melody Louledjian, Rustan Group of Companies Chairman & CEO Zenaida Tantoco, Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, and Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong |
The performances of Lucia di Lammermoor will benefit the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. (PPOSI) and the Philippine Italian Association (PIA) Endowment Fund.
Lucia di Lammermoor is presented in cooperation with Hilton Manila, SSI Group, Inc., East West Bank, San Miguel Corporation, LCS Group of Companies. The opera is made possible also through the help of the following Supporters of Arts and Culture: Hermes, Danny Dolor, Ambassador and Mrs. Antonio M. Lagdameo, Rustan Coffee Corporation, and Advanced Foundation Construction Systems Corporation. MAC Cosmetics Philippines is the official make-up sponsor.
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