L’Elisir d’amore to premiere in Manila

That intoxicating feeling of love is in the air as one of the world’s most beloved operas, Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’amore, finally gets its Manila premiere with a limited two performance run this October 7 & 8, 2017 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

For years, small, abridged concert stagings have been performed in here but a full production of this opera has never been done. Now, thanks to the Rustan Commercial Corporation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, and The Peninsula Manila, in cooperation with the Philippine-Italian Association under the auspices of the Italian Embassy that this is seeing the light of day.

Nemorino (David Astorga) hangs on to Adina's (Elena Monti) every word

This production boasts of an international cast led by Italian soprano Elena Monti (Adina), Costa Rican tenor David Astorga (Nemorino), and Italian bass Francesco Vultaggio (Dulcamara). Korean baritone Byeong-In Park (Belcore) and our very own Rachelle Gerodias-Park (Gianetta) round up the cast. They will be joined by Coro Tomasino under Ronan Ferrer and Philippine Ballet Theatre under Anatoly Panasyukov.

Providing live music is the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of former principal conductor/music director Ruggiero Barbieri.

Dulcamara (Francesco Vultaggio) making outrageous claims

I had the opportunity to take a sneak peek and watch the technical dress rehearsal. It is so tempting to describe what I saw and heard in detail and also to post a lot more photos in here but that would be  telling. I want others to see the opera for themselves. All I can say is that David’s Una furtiva lagrima was so exquisite that there were shouts of bravo from the small number of audience present and those at the wings after he finished the famous aria.

This may sound trivial but for me it’s extremely vital: thank goodness that there will be a real harp in this, or else, Una furtiva… will be ruined.

Belcore (Byeong-In Park) proposes a toast at his wedding

Director Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini leads the artistic and production team along with Direction Consultant Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong. Completing the team are Maurizio Varamo (Set Design), Flavio Monti (Set Project Assistant), Otello Camponeschi (Costume Design), and Giovanni Pirandello (Lighting Design).  

Gianetta (Rachelle Gerodias-Park) spreading gossip

This production of L’Elisir d’amore is in celebration of the 70^th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy as well at the 65^th Sapphire Anniversary of the Rustan Group of Companies. This project is made possible through the sponsorship of Royal Duty Free Shops, Hermes, Debenhams, Rustan Marketing Corporation, Rustan Supercenters, Inc., Megaworld, and Bergamo.

This opera fundraiser is produced by Zenaida R. Tantoco with Nestor O. Jardin and Dr. Raul M. Sunico as Executive Producers. Proceeds from this will benefit the construction of the San Pablo Apostol Parish Church in Tondo, Manila.

Nemorino (David Astorga) sings Una furtiva lagrima

Gala Night performance of L’Elisir d’amore is on October 7, 2017, 8:00 PM and the matinee performance is on October 8, 2017, 3:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

Viva Verdi 1813-2013 Bicentennial Gala Concert

Viva Verdi 1913-2013 Bicentennial Gala Concert participants
Photo by Kiko Cabuena

Featuring:

Gian Luca Pasolini, tenor

Alvaro Lozano, baritone

Rachelle Gerodias, soprano

Margarita Giannelli, soprano

Nenen Espina, soprano

Thea Perez, soprano

Andrew Fernando, baritone

Ronan Ferrer, tenor

Coro Tomasino

Ballet Philippines

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Ruggero Barbieri, conductor

Celebrations for Giuseppe Verdi’s 200^th birth anniversary had a fitting finish in the Philippines with Viva Verdi 1913-2013 Bicentennial Gala Concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The event, presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Italy, featured collaborations between Italian and Filipino artists led by Italian conductor Ruggero Barbieri, who for the first time conducted the Manila Symphony Orchestra. This tandem provided the live music accompaniment for the singers on stage that included tenor Gian Luca Pasolini and baritone Alvaro Lozano from Italy. The Italians were joined on stage by local talents that included sopranos Rachelle Gerodias, Margarita Giannelli, Nenen Espina and Thea Perez, baritone Andrew Fernando, and tenor Ronan Ferrer. Coro Tomasino acted out as the chorus while members of Ballet Philippines provided the dancing. Actor/writer/director Jaime del Mundo wa the evening’s narrator providing useful background information prior to the performance of Verdi’s masterpieces.

But the concert didn’t start out with Verdi’s music. In solidarity with those affected by the super typhoon Yolanda, the evening started with the orchestra playing Air on the G String (August Wilhelmj's arrangement of the second movement Air of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068) while images of the devastation were projected on screen.

After this, it was all business with Verdi. Some of the numbers were trips back to memory lane like Rachelle Gerodias’ reprisal of Violetta and Andrew Fernando’s Giorgio Germont in La Traviata. It was my first time to see and hear live performances from Rigoletto and Aida, both of which had their Metropolitan Opera productions screened some months before. I was really grateful that Jaime del Mundo was on hand or else I’d be completely lost as to what La Forza del Destino and Il Trovatore was all about.

The soloists were top notch with Rachelle Gerodias and Andrew Fernando’s ever reliable performances gave me the opportunity to relax and enjoy most of the night. This concert also gave me a chance to see Ronan Ferrer, Thea Perez and Nenen Espina perform in a featured capacity. Obviously, the audience was curious to see and hear how the Italian guest singers would fare. Tenor Gian Luca Pasolini had some fun showing off by doing some passages while laid down on a bench. On the other hand, Alvaro Lozano, was an imposing presence on stage that supported his equally imposing baritone. But the biggest surprise for many during that night was soprano Margarita Giannelli who wowed everyone with her rendition of Ritorna vicnitor from Aida. I still wonder up to this day why she didn’t do, O patria mia, a more emotional and difficult aria instead.

Alas, the praises I gave for the soloists could not be said for the chorus. Their rendition of Va, pensiero from Nabucco failed to convey the emotions that stirred the Italians to consider this song as their unofficial national anthem. The chorus also seemed a bit lost during the Triumphal March in Aida but I hardly blame them for this since there was supposed to be a dance number by Ballet Philippines during this part. The scene was hardly triumphant as the chorus was left uncomfortably looking at the projected images on stage instead and the audience wondering if there was something else that was supposed to be happening instead. Ballet Philippines’ minimal participation was left to the Zingarelle e Matadori in La Traviata which was the exact choreography from CCP’s production of the said opera.

This production was indeed very intriguing since there seemed to be a lot more stuff that happened behind the scenes like Ballet Philippines’ minimal participation. The Requiem portion was also scrapped but I think that having the Air on the G string tribute piece meant that Requiem had to go, or the chorus was already up to their necks with all that they had to do with the very little preparation time that this entire production had. But most intriguing of all was Alexander Cortez being the director of the whole affair for it was originally announced that Floy Quintos would be at the helm.

Anyways, the Embassy of Italy, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philippine-Italian Association, and Rustan's were able to pull off Viva Verdi 1913-2013 Bicentennial Gala Concert and it was still a great success judging by the happy faces of the many people at the lobby after the concert. But I never imagined all the headache and the drama (that completely dissolved away with the audience’s applause) that goes into putting up a show like this. I guess it’s all very fitting considering this is how Giuseppe Verdi’s operas are, full of drama whether it’s on or off the stage.

Philippine premiere of Sarmientos' marimba concerto opens Filfest's 2014 Season

May 31, 2014, 8:00 PM

Insular Life Auditorium

Insular Life Tower

Filinvest, Alabang

Featuring:

Dena Fernandez, marimba

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Ruggero Barbieri, conductor

Programme:

Giacomo Puccini La tregenda from Le Villi

Joaquín Turina Orgía from Danzas fantásticas, Op. 22

Jorge Sarmientos Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra No. 1, Op. 20

Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, From the New World

Camille Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Op. 47

Nino Rota Symphonic Suite

Arturo Márquez Danzón No. 2

Nicanor Abelardo Mutya ng Pasig

The Filfest Cultural Foundation and Insular Life opens its 2014 season with the Philippine debut performance of a marimba concerto featuring marimbist Dena Fernandez and the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Ruggero Barbieri happening on May 31, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Corporate Centre Auditorium of Insular Life Tower in Filinvest, Alabang.

The marimba concerto to be premiered in this concert was composed by Guatemala’s National Artist Jorge Sarmientos, considered as one of the most important composers hailing from South America. Aside from the marimba concerto, the evening’s program also includes Giacomo Puccini’s La tregenda from Le Villi, Joaquín Turina’s Orgía from Danzas fantásticas, Op. 22, Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178, From the New World, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Op. 47, Nino Rota’s Symphonic Suite, Arturo Márquez’ Danzón No. 2, Nicanor Abelardo’s Mutya ng Pasig.

This concert is presented by Filfest Cultural Foundation and Insular Life in cooperation with San Miguel Corporation, Rustan’s, Vivere Hotel, Contis and Philippine Italian Association.

Ticket prices:

P1000 Orchestra Center

P800 Orchestra Side

For inquiries:

Marie (0917) 817-7261, (0918) 941-9472, 585-3823

Viva Verdi Gala Concert at the CCP celebrates Giuseppe Verdi's 200th birthday anniversary

December 10, 2013, 7:30 PM

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Gian Luca Pasolini, tenor

Alvaro Lozano, baritone

Rachelle Gerodias, soprano

Margarita Giannelli, soprano

Thea Perez, soprano

Nenen Espina, soprano

Ronan Ferrer, tenor

Andrew Fernando, baritone

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Ruggero Barbieri, conductor

The Embassy of the Republic of Italy, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine Italian Association, and Rustan’s, present Viva Verdi 1813-2013 Bicentennial Concert, an event in honor of the 200^th  birth anniversary of the great Romantic opera composer Giuseppe Verdi to be held on December 10, 2013, 7:30 PM at the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

The concert, directed by Floy Quintos will feature selected opera scenes from La Forza del Destino, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, Nabucco, La Traviata, and Aida. A couple of Italian singers, tenor Gian Luca Pasolini and baritone Alvaro Lozano leads the lineup in this concert. Joining them are leading Filipino singers namely sopranos Rachelle Gerodias, Margarita Giannelli, Thea Perez, and Nenen Espina, tenor Ronan Ferrer, and baritone Andrew Fernando. Also included in the cast are Coro Tomasino, Ballet Philippines, narrator Jaime del Mundo, and Maestro Ruggero Barbieri conducting the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

Viva Verdi 1813-2013 Bicentennial Gala Concert will also feature an exhibit, entitled Giuseppe Verdi, the Composer, the Man, the Patriot which opened at the Yuchengco Museum last month. It will be on display at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music this December 9-18, 2013. The exhibit is a traveling multimedia exhibition presenting three different aspects of Giuseppe Verdi.

Giuseppe Verdi is considered as one of the greatest opera composers of the Romantic era, alongside Giacomo Puccini, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioacchino Rossini, and Georges Bizet. It was a Golden Age for opera, where elaborate costumes and set designs ably complimented the dramatic singing and acting in a grandiose setting of elegant operatic venues of Europe. The themes represent human frailties, emotions, and experiences in everyday life, such as love, anger, treachery, and tragedy – which ironically are still very much persistent in today’s society. In this way, opera serves as a mirror of ourselves but presented in dramatic and artistic fashion.

An added value of Viva Verdi 1813-2013 and of the 13^th Edition of the Week of the Italian Language is the educational component, the involvement of students of music and Italian, who will be offered free transportation and entrance to the Theater on December 10^th, and the Master Class on Italian Opera and Giuseppe Verdi conducted by Italian tenor Gian Luca Pasolini and Italian baritone Alvaro Lozano, which will be held at the College of Music, on December 11^th.

Viva Verdi 1813-2013 promises to be the country’s culminating climax to honor the great Italian opera composer and Italian culture, where his informative exhibits and operatic excerpts will aptly demonstrate his genius and legacy.

This event is sponsored by Rustan’s, Elburg Shipmanagement Philippines Inc., Italian Maritime Academy Phils Inc., Crewtech Shipmanagement Phils Inc., PIASI, FILA, The Peninsula Manila, HSBC, Trevi Foundations Philippines, and Furnitalia.

Ticket prices:

P1500 Orchestra Center

P1000 Orchestra Side

P800 Balcony I

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

CCP Box Office 832-3704

Ms Lulu Casas 895-2109

culturale.manila@esteri.it

TicketWorld 891-9999