Hungarian children's choir joins 11th Halina't Umawit

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Ave Maria Children's Choir Foundation, Inc., presents the 11th Halina't Umawit, a Philippine children's choir festival happening on August 18, 2019, 4:00 PM at the CCP's Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

For this year, the festival welcomes the Cantemus Children's Choir, conducted by Denes Szabo, from Nyiregyhaza, Hungary joining the Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir, conducted by Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan and Jude B. Roldan, and special guest choir, the Ateneo Chamber Singers, conducted by Jonathan Velasco for this one performance only choral event.

The 11th Halina't Umawit is in line with the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir.

Manila Symphony Orchestra's unveils 2019-2020 Season

Coming off the heels of a string of sold out/standing room only/repeat performances of Rush Hour Concerts at the Ayala Museum, the Manila Symphony Orchestra unveils its 2019-2020 season gala concerts.

This season, taking on the theme Live Music Lives features an international lineup of conductors and soloists who are a mix of new and familiar faces.

The season begins with The Music of Ryan Cayabyab, a tribute to the National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. Featuring conductor Jonathan Velasco and the Ateneo Chamber Singers, the concert will be a mix of folk songs arranged for orchestra, choral pieces with orchestra, and more. The season opener happens on June 9, 2019, 6:00 PM at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, inside the Ateneo De Manila University campus in Quezon City.

Cellist Matias Oliveira Pinto and soprano Andión Fernandez-Ching, along with conductor Marlon Chen top bill Double Concerto happening on September 1, 2019, 6:00 PM at the Powermac Center Spotlight, in Circuit, Makati.

Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra's first violinist Jeanna Rafaella Marquez steps up to the plate in Sibelius and Beethoven 5th on October 6, 2019, 6:00 PM at Areté, inside the Ateneo de Manila University. Tarmo Peltokoski leads the MSO in this performance.

Grammy nominated conductor Darrell Ang returns in Darrel Ang & Diomedes Saraza Jr. on November 16, 2019, 8:00 PM at the Meralco Theater. Concertmaster Diomedes Saraza, Jr. will be the evening's featured soloist.

The season wraps up on February 5, 2020, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Billed as Shostakovich, the finale concert will feature guitarist Jacob Cordover and conductor Marlon Chen.

Subscription packages for this season and various sponsorships can be availed by contacting the MSO via e-mail at info@manilasymphony.com or by calling 523-5712.

Musicartes stages La Bohème opera at SM Aura Premier’s Samsung Hall

October 18-19, 2014

Samsung Hall

SM Aura Premier, Taguig

Featuring:

Margarita Giannelli, soprano

Scott Ramsay, tenor

Fernando Araujo, baritone

Myramae Meneses, soprano

Greg de Leon, baritone

Nonon Baang, baritone

Viva Voce

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Jonathan Velasco, conductor

Soprano Margarita Giannelli

After a year’s absence, full length operas came back on the live stage in full force this 2014, and to cap it all off is the one considered as the most romantic of all, Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème happening this October 18-19, 2014, 7:30 PM at the Samsung Hall of the SM Aura Premier in Taguig.

Baritone Fernando Araujo

This opera, presented by MusicArtes, Inc. and A-Team, is led by the phenomenal soprano Margarita Gianelli playing the seamstress Mimì. Giannelli, a Rosa Ponselle awardee, impressed audiences with her performance as Micaela in Carmen back in 2012 and Aida at the Viva Verdi 1813-2013 Bicentennial Gala Concert. Her lover, the poet Rodolfo will be played by American tenor Scott Ramsay. Italo-Brazilian baritone Fernando Araujo plays Marcello while promising young soprano Myramae Meneses play the role of his on and off lover Musetta. Baritones Nonon Baang (Colline) and Greg de Leon (Schaunard) complete the main cast.

Tenor Ivan Nery and baritone Fernando Araujo

Tenor Ivan Nery and soprano Margarita Giannelli

Also appearing in this production are Michael Bulaong, Raymond Yadao and Viva Voce. Maestro Jonathan Velasco conducts the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Directing the opera will be Dr. Anton Juan whose last full length opera was Madame Butterfly, also presented by MusicArtes, Inc. The set design by Otto Fernandez is said to have a modern aesthetic even though the opera will still be set in the early 19^th century. Light design will be by Joseph Matheu while the costumes will be handled by the MusicArtes team.

Soprano Stephanie Aguilar

The opera La Bohème is actually the source material of the popular musical Rent and now is the perfect chance for fans of the musical (and/or the film adaptation) to finally see for themselves where their favorite was actually based from. For me, the main highlights of La Bohème has got to be Sì, mi chiamano Mimì in which Mimì dishes out more poetry than the love struck poet Rodolfo and also her parting aria to her lover, Donde lieta uscì. But for many, their favorite is the most popular aria from the opera which is Musetta’s waltz, Quando men vo. Other highlights in the opera are Rodolfo’s Che gelida manina, Mimì and Rodolfo’s duet O soave fanciulla, and Colline’s Vecchia zimarra which is a sad farewell to his coat. Most of these arias were performed during the press conference held at Chef Jessie's with Margarita Giannelli, Fernando Araujo, Nonon Baang along with understudies Ivan Nery (Rodolfo), Stephanie Aguilar (Musetta).

Baritone Nonon Baang

It will also be very interesting to see how the Samsung Hall will be like since the venue hasn’t been used for a full length opera production before. MusicArtes’ Jay Glorioso told members of the media that one reason why they decided to stage La Bohème there is so that they can reach out to more people, especially those who frequent the SM Aura Premier.

Nonon Baang, Ivan Nery, Stephanie Aguilar, Jonathan Velasco, Margarita Giannelli,
Fernando Araujo, and Jay Glorioso

Ticket prices:

P5000 Orchestra Patron

P4500 Orchestra VIP 1

P4000 Orchestra VIP 2

P3500 Orchestra VIP 3

P3000 Orchestra 1

P2800 Orchestra 2

P2500 Loge Center

P2000 Loge Side

P1500 Balcony Center

P1000 Balcony Side

For inquiries:

Musicartes 895-8098, 519-3603

A-Team (0918) 921-6835

Nonon Baang (0921) 207-6945, (0927) 687-4403

SM Tickets 470-2222