Noli Me Tangere, the Opera's final bow and this week in concerts

Noli Me Tangere, the Opera takes a final bow

Despite a packed Friday schedule, I was able to rush back to the Cultural Center of the Philippines and catch the second half of the closing performance of Noli Me Tangere, the Opera. I was finally able to see Bianca Camille Lopez as Maria Clara and also Mari Yapjoco as Basilio. I would've wanted to see a different Ibarra and Sisa aside from Ronan Ferrer and Stephanie Aguilar respectively but the alternates already took their final bows in earlier shows. As expected, the intense scene of Sisa and Basilio near the end was the most applauded. I felt sorry for the impatient young woman beside me who left during the Awit ng Gabi ni Sisa. She missed one of the best moments of the entire opera. Such a shame.

Like one cast member told me, the opera does grow on you. With just a second viewing of the second half, the music started to make a stamp on me with the leitmotifs (especially that of Sa Lupang Pangako) becoming more evident. The charming quartet Pusong Pinagtali has also endeared itself to me. And the pacing that I felt was disjointed before was now tighter and flowed better. The production was also able to remedy some of the technical miscues. I only had some issues with the lighting as the patterns on the floor looked contemporary and out of place in a period piece like this.

I was extremely pleased to see a lot of young people among the audience. Opera productions in here are often joked as a gathering of senior citizens. But such was not the case for Noli Me Tangere, the Opera. with a great mix of the young and old in attendance. For once, I was glad to have belonged to the older demographic.

The opera may have taken its final bows (for now) but that doesn't mean that there aren't any more shows to look out for this week. Here's a selection of music performances happening over the next few days. 

First off is the return of Korean superstar soprano Sumi Jo for a one night cnthis February 7, 2017, 8:00 PM at the Meralco Theater. This performance comes at the heels of her successful concerts in Hong Kong. Learn more about Sumi Jo Divine Diva concert here.

The night of February 9, 2017 will be filled with music with at least three performances happening.

The Ayala Museum kicks off its 2017 Concert Series with a pre-Valentine’s Day presentation Caught in a Madz Romance featuring the world renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers led by choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio at 6:30 PM at the Ayala Museum.

Caught in a Madz Romance

February 9, 2017, 6:30 PM | Ayala Museum

Featuring:

Philippine Madrigal Singers

Mark Anthony Carpio, choirmaster

Ticket prices:

P700 Regular | P560 Discounted Rate| P500 Senior Citizens | P300 Students

For a unique music crossover in a club atmosphere experience, head over to the Beato Angelico Gallery at the University of Sto. Tomas at 7:00 PM for Classical X Electro featuring Hamburg based string orchestra Ensemble Resonanz and local electronic artist similarobjects. Check out more details about this performance here.

At 8:00 PM over at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) will be the world premiere performance of Diwata ng Bayan. With music by Carmela Buencamino Sinco and libretto by Ed Maranan, this opera is presented by the University of the Philippines’ College of Music in line with the celebrations of its 100^th year anniversary.

Diwata ng Bayan, a new full-length lyric opera is a love story between two characters named Matias Ylagan and Mayumi Lualhati, set during the turbulent years of the Philippine-American war in the 1900s, touching on critical issues such as clash of cultures, dispossession of land, collaboration with the colonial power and the unfinished revolution of 1896. The hero and heroine also play the roles of mythical characters named Dimalupig and Diwata in the sarsuwela which is integrated into the middle part of the opera.

Ervin Lumauag and Criselda Go lead the cast that also includes Keith Segura, Rica Nepomuceno, Maria Carmila Molina, Jeconiah Retulla, JM Espiritu, Emlyn Santos, Malvin Bethoven Macasaet, Paul Manet Martinez, Michelle Mariposa, Angelica Rose Benipayo, Ma. Rovelyn Bautista, Keisha Joy Paulo, Bianca Louise Nicole Baltazar, Cassandra Imperial, Joshua F. Cadeliña, Myron de la Cruz, Jhon Paul Fino, Rodney Erick Abuel, Airo Saret, Raymond Leslie Diaz, and Jomar de la Cruz.

Heading the creative and technical team is Dr. Ramon G. Acoymo as the overall Production and Artistic Director. Prof. Rodney Ambat conducts the Diwata ng Bayan orchestra. Rounding up the team is Jose Christe Nombres for Light Design and Technical Direction, Eric Anthony Pineda for Costume Design, and Ricardo Eric Cruz for the Set Design.

Diwata ng Bayan

February 9, 2017, 8:00 PM | Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Ticket prices:

P1500 | P1300 | P1200 | P1000 | P800 | P700 | P500

50% discount for students

20% discount for senior citizens, PWD, government and military personnel

Back by popular demand, the power vocals of Aegis and the symphonic sounds of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra team up once again for Aegis in Symphony, Symphonic Aegis #HugotPaMore on February 11, 2017, 8:00 PM at the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). Find out more about this concert here.

See the next generation of concert pianists via the Henrietta Sydeco Tayengco-Limjoco Mozart Piano Concerto Competition Winners’ Concert this February 12, 2017, 4:00 PM at the Fleur de lis Theater of St. Paul University Manila.

Pianists Gabriel Allan Paguirigan, Ye Yun Yi, Miguel Lorenzo Panagsagan, Jet Stephen Chong, Kirsten Chantrice Fabellar, Rinaldi Alvin Yonathan, Betina Edith Bernabe, and Klyde Francis Ledamo will perform works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Camille Saint-Saëns. The Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Aries Caces accompanies Ledamo and Chong’s performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto for Two Pianos in E major.

This concert is presented by the Henrietta Sydeco Tayengco-Limjoco Piano Competition, in cooperation with the Piano Teachers' Guild of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. and Steinway Boutique Manila, and in partnership with the Manila Symphony Orchestra and St. Paul University Manila.

The best thing about this concert? Admission is free. Years later, when these young pianists make it big, one can say that he/she was there to witness their budding greatness at this concert.

Henrietta Sydeco Tayengco-Limjoco Mozart Piano Concerto Competition Winners’ Concert

February 12, 2017, 4:00 PM | Fleur de lis Theater, St. Paul University Manila

Ticket price:

Free admission

The Società Dante Alighieri Manila and Lyric Opera of the Philippines present the Gala Premier of Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi which is now going to be staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) on February 12, 2017, 7:00 PM.

This production, under the music direction of Michelle Nicolasora , is the 2017 opener of L’Opera on Wheels that aims to make classic opera accessible to a much broader audience. Baritone Noel Azcona sings the title role. Joining Noel in this production are Elisanta Cortes, Jasmin Salvo, Randy Gilongo, and Nomher Nival.

Following the Gala Premier, subsequent performances on March 3-4, 2017, 7:00 PM will be staged at the Power Mac Spotlight Center in Circuit Makati.

Gianni Schicchi

February 12, 2017, 7:00 PM | Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

For inquiries:

SDA Manila (0998) 858-1695, sda.manila@dantemanila.com

Such a packed week and unfortunate that it's physically impossible for me to see all of them. See you at the concerts!

MSO presents pre-Valentine's concert at Power Mac Center

February 6, 2016, 8:00 PM

Power Mac Center Spotlight

Circuit Makati

Featuring:

Camille Lopez Molina

Arthur Espiritu

Nonie Buencamino

Noel Azcona

Teenee Chan

Myramae Meneses

Michaela Fajardo

Viva Voce

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Arturo Molina, conductor

The Manila Symphony Orchestra offers an early Valentine’s Day treat with music from the world of opera, musical theater and sarsuela with Love in the Time of Opera happening this February 6, 2016, 8:00 PM at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati.

Music from the operas Carmen, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni,  La bohème, Lakmé, and the Merry Widow Waltz, musicals Carousel and West Side Story, and the sarsuela Walang Sugat will be performed by special guests Arthur Espiritu, Nonie Buencamino, Noel Azcona, and Teenee Chan joining the group Viva Voce led by Camille Lopez-Molina.

The concert will also serve as the send-off for Myramae Meneses and Michaela Fajardo, who are bound to London as scholars at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Myramae and Michaela were recently seen as Maria Clara and Sisa respectively in Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s Kanser@35.

Ticket prices:

P2000

P1500

P1000

For inquiries:

CAEO (0920) 954-0053, (0918) 347-3027, 997-9483, 782-7164

TicketWorld 891-9999

Carmen at the FEU

The cast of Carmen

Featuring:

Ana Feleo, soprano

Randy Gilongo, tenor

Noel Azcona, baritone

Stephanie Aguilar, soprano

UST Symphony Orchestra

William Barkyhmer, conductor

The FEU Auditorium played host to two Carmens in their Cultural Calendar for the school year 2013-2014 bearing the theme of Debuts and Farewells. The first Carmen to take to the stage was prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, who danced the title role for the last time when her company Ballet Manila presented the ballet Carmen. Less than a couple of months later, Ana Feleo reprised the role of Carmen in the repeat run of the opera by the Lyric Opera of the Philippines.

The Lyric Opera of the Philippines first staged Carmen back in 2012 at the St. Cecilia’s Hall at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. In this repeat run, Ana Feleo was joined by a mix of returning and new cast members. Reprising their roles once again were Randy Gilongo as Don Jose, and Noel Azcona as Escamillo. But this was the first time that Feleo and Gilongo were paired together for the previous run had them playing alongside different partners. Laurice Guillen once again was at the helm as the stage director. New to the cast was Stephanie Aguilar as Micaela, the UST Symphony Orchestra and conductor William Barkhymer who made his Philippine debut with this production. Completing the main cast were Gereberne Lozada (Mercedes), Patrice Pacis (Frasquita), Pepe Herrera (Dancairo), Nomher Nival (Remendado), Jun Jaranilla (Zuniga) and Greg de Leon (Morales).

This production of Carmen was stripped to the core by having almost a bare stage having only minimal props. This somewhat enabled the audience to focus solely on the performers and also to the music composed by Georges Bizet. For those who are familiar with the music of the opera, they would’ve noticed that the Avec la garde montante that was supposed to be sung by a children’s chorus during the changing of the guards in Act I was omitted in this production. This production may not have been as grand as other operas out there but one thing that they managed to have was the FEU Auditorium’s much improved acoustics. The performers were able to project their voices without the aid of microphones so they were able to focus more on acting and their characters instead of exerting too much effort in order to be heard.

I can only imagine how much of a challenge this Carmen was for conductor William Barkhymer. For one, the orchestra was placed at the back of the stage and not at the pit which is the norm for opera. It probably wasn’t very easy for him to conduct while not facing the singers who were performing on stage right behind his back. This production also didn’t have the opportunity to have a dress rehearsal since the super typhoon Yolanda led to the cancellation of the all important final rehearsals before the curtain rose.

Remarkably, the UST Symphony Orchestra was in tiptop shape, sounding a lot better compared to performances I’ve seen and heard in recent years. Members of the orchestra sacrificed their semester break in order to rehearse for up to five hours a day in preparation for this opera.

But probably the most pleasant surprise of all was the scene stealing presence of popular actress Marian Rivera who came to support her dear friend Ana Feleo. I never expected Marian to be a fan of the opera but she clearly enjoyed watching the show. She was particularly very impressed by Aguilar’s take on Micaela’s showstopping aria Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante during Act III. And in the end, she led in cheering the whole cast and production team during the curtain call.

Carmen was presented by the Lyric Opera of the Philippines and the Far Eastern University’s President’s Committee on Culture.

Arthur Espiritu leads Rossini’s Petite mese solennelle performance in benefit concert for Yolanda victims

December 3, 2013, 7:00 PM

Ayala Museum 

Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street

Greenbelt Park, Makati

Featuring:

Arthur Espiritu, tenor

Camille Lopez Molina, soprano

Margarita Giannelli, soprano

Noel Azcona, bass/baritone

Viva Voce

Najib Ismail, piano

Farley Asuncion, piano

Melissa Taqueban, piano
Gideon Benedicto, conductor

Programme:

Gioachino Rossini Petite messe solennelle

The Cultural Arts Events Organizer, in partnership with the Ayala Museum, presents A Christmas Offering, a special Christmas concert featuring a performance of Gioachino Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle happening this December 3, 2013, 7:00 PM at the Ayala Museum.

A total of 27 of the country’s finest artists will be performing on this evening lead by the leading Filipino tenor, Arthur Espiritu. He is joined by three of the country's premiere classical artists namely soprano Camille Lopez-Molina, soprano Margarita  Giannelli and bass-baritone Noel Azcona. The 16 member chorus will be composed of members of Viva Voce. Pianists Najib Ismail, Farley Asuncion and Melissa Taqueban will accompany the singers under the musical direction of Gideon Bendicion and Camille Lopez-Molina.

Tenor Arthur Espiritu

This performance will be offered as a tribute to the victims of the super typhoon Yolanda. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the victims of Llorente, Samar.

A Christmas Offering is made possible in partnership with Ayala Museum, Lyric Piano and Organ, BusinessWorld, DZFE.FM 98.7 The Master's Touch, Highlife and HerWord.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Center

P800 Side

For inquiries:

COEA 782-7164, (0918) 347-3027

MCO Foundation 750-0768, (0920) 954-0053

TicketWorld  891-9999

MSO IV: Verdi’s Opera Extravaganza

Tanya Corcuera, Noel Azcona, Camille Lopez-Molina, Nomher Nival
and Myramae Meneses

Featuring:

Camille Lopez-Molina, soprano

Noel Azcona, baritone

Myramae Meneses, soprano

Tanya Corcuera, soprano

Nomher Nival, tenor

Viva Voce
Manila Symphony Orchestra

Arturo Molina, conductor

Programme:

Giuseppe Verdi

     La Forza Del Destino

          Overture

     Nabucco

          Va, pensiero

     La Forza Del Destino

          Pace, pace mio Dio

     La Traviata

          Un di felice eterea

          Di provenza il mar, il suol

          Libiamo ne lieti calici

     I Vespri Siciliani 

          Overture

     Rigoletto

          Caro nome

          La donna e mobile

          Un di sa ben rammentomi… bella figlia dell’amore

     Un Ballo in Maschera

          Morro ma prima in grazia

     Don Carlos

          O don fatale

    Otello

          Credo

     Il Trovatore     

          Mira d’acerbe lagrime

     Aida

          Gloria all’egitto ad isside

The previous week leading into this concert was marked by illness due to exhaustion coupled with the unpredictable weather. And if one looks at the blog entries that I’ve written for the past few months, then one can form an idea on how busy I’ve been. So I decided to take things easy and made sure that I’d recover in time to see the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s concert Verdi’s Opera Extravaganza at the Santiago Francisco Hall. I knew that I really had to make it up to them and catch this performance in celebration of Giuseppe Verdi’s 200^th anniversary of his birth since I missed the orchestra’s previous concert featuring violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., which I heard was literally a standing room only affair.

Soprano Camille Lopez-Molina

When concert started with Arturo Molina conducting the orchestra with the very familiar overture from La Forza Del Destino, I knew that the concert repertoire was perfect for me because I could just take things easy and just enjoy the performances. And I did appreciate the next number which was Va, pensiero from Nabucco performed by Viva Voce who were at the gallery above the stage. This tune is a big deal for Italians and they even consider it as their unofficial national anthem. Then it was time for the featured soloists to do their solos, starting with soprano Camille Lopez-Molina doing Pace, pace mio Dio from La Forza Del Destino. I was surprised and slightly amused to see her donning the same ensemble she wore during her show stopping aria from Lorenzo.

Tenor Nomher Nival

The La Traviata portion that came right after had me thinking about the previous staging of the opera that I was able to see thrice. So it was nice reliving those memories when Nomher Nival and Myramae Meneses performed Un di felice eterea and baritone Noel Azcona did Di provenza il mar, il suol. After this, Viva Voce joined all of the soloists including soprano Tanya Corcuera who has yet to do her solo in singing the popular drinking song Libiamo ne lieti calici which ended the first half of the concert.

Soprano Myramae Meneses

The overture to I Vespri Siciliani started the second half of the concert before Myramae Meneses took to the stage to do her solo which is Caro nome from Rigoletto. Nomher Nival then took a shot at the most famous aria from that opera which is La donna e mobile. Then the quartet of Meneses, Nival, Corcuera and Azcona did Un di sa ben rammentomi… bella figlia dell’amore. Around this time, I was pleased to have seen the Met Opera in HD screening of Rigoletto since I now had a clear idea on what was going on stage and also how nice it was to finally see these arias performed live.

Baritone Noel Azcona

After this, things took a turn to the unfamiliar and darker route as Tanya Corcuera sang Morro ma prima in grazia from Un Ballo in Maschera, Camille Lopez-Molina with O don fatale from Don Carlo, Noel Azcona with Credo from Otello and Camille and Noel doing Mira d’acerbe lagrime from Il Trovatore. This was the time when the concert ventured into Verdi that I am not familiar with. Although I barely had an idea on what these arias were all about, I felt the malevolence, despair and impending doom based on what I saw in their performances.

Finally, Viva Voce performed the Gloria all’egitto ad isside from Aida. At one point when I looked back once again on my previous Aida experience, I thought that the orchestra would play the entire march but they played a shortened/concise version or else it would’ve been a very, very long night. Thank goodness that the concert ended in this triumphant mood which was boosted further by an encore of Libiamo ne lieti calici, thus making me feel energized and upbeat which I really needed at that time.

Arturo Molina, the Manila Symphony Orchestra

One thing I realized with this concert was how differently I was able to appreciate arias from operas that I’ve seen performed in its entirety compared to those that I was only able to listen on its own through various recordings and recitals. It felt like was I trying to relive the experience of the opera and also imagining how these singers would be if they were in those roles in a full opera production. And for the ones that I’ve heard only for the first time, it made me wonder if I would be able to have the chance to see the entire opera in the near future. This concert capped the MSO’s Color Your World series for this year but they will return early next year with a performance celebrating the orchestra’s 88 years.

Manila Symphony Orchestra celebrates Verdi's bicentennial with opera extravaganza concert

September 14, 2013, 8:00 PM

Francisco Santiago Hall

South Tower, BDO Corporate Center

Makati

Featuring:

Camille Lopez-Molina, soprano

Noel Azcona, baritone

Myramae Meneses, soprano

Tanya Corcuera, soprano

Nomher Nival, tenor

Viva Voce
Manila Symphony Orchestra

Arturo Molina, conductor

Programme:

Giuseppe Verdi

     La Forza Del Destino

          Overture

          Pace, pace mio Dio

     Nabucco

          Va, pensiero

     La Traviata

          Un di felice eterea

          Di provenza il mar, il suol

          Libiamo ne lieti calici

     I Vespri Siciliani 

          Overture

     Rigoletto

          Caro nome

          La donna e mobile

          Un di sa ben rammentomi… bella figlia dell’amore

     Un Ballo in Maschera

          Morro ma prima in grazia

     Don Carlos

          O don fatale

    Otello

          Credo

     Il Trovatore     

          Mira d’acerbe lagrime

     Aida

          Gloria all’egitto ad isside

The Manila Symphony Orchestra celebrates Giuseppe Verdi’s bicentennial by presenting Verdi’s Opera Extravaganza on September 14, 2013, 8:00 PM at the Santiago Francisco Hall at the BDO Corporate Center in Makati. This performance, the fourth in MSO’s Color Your World 2013-2014 Concert Season will feature an all Verdi repertoire performed by a handful of seasoned and promising up and coming talents in the Philippine opera scene.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra

Joining the MSO and conductor Arturo Molina are internationally renowned soprano Camille Lopez-Molina and baritone Noel Azcona, rising talents sopranos Myramae Meneses and Tanya Corcuera, and tenor Nomher Nival. They will be supported by Viva Voce, a group of young and talented classical singers trained by voice teachers Camille Lopez Molina, Randy Gilongo, Pablo Molina, John Glenn Gaerlan and Rica Nepomuceno, and pianists Peter Porticos, Myrna Lopez, and Najib Ismail. In this concert, famous selections from Verdi’s operas like Nabucco, La Traviata, La Forza Del Destino, Rigoletto, Aida, Un Ballo In Maschera, Don Carlos, and Otello will be performed.

Conductor Arturo Molina

There haven’t been any full opera productions this year compared to last year’s four. Yes, there had been screenings of opera productions this year but still, nothing compares to seeing and hearing performances live and this concert is a good way for people to have their fill. And looking upon the lineup for this concert, there’s a nice mix of pieces that I know and a lot more that I’ve yet to hear. This concert is another opportunity for me (and others as well) to expand my knowledge of opera especially Verdi’s music.

Ticket prices:

P1200 Orchestra

P600 Balcony

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

523-5712, (0916) 408-7549, info@manilasymphony.com