Maestro Fabio Armiliato to conduct opera masterclasses for Progetto Puccini 2024

Progetto Puccini 2024 brings internationally acclaimed maestros led by famed tenor Fabio Armiliato to the country for a series of opera masterclasses this October 1-4, 2024 and a culminating concert on October 5, 2024 all happening at the Metropolitan Theater.

Maestro Fabio Armiliato

Joining Maestro Armiliato in conducting the masterclasses are musical director and vocal teacher Mariano Panico, soprano Lorena Zaccaria and répétiteur John Florencio offering their expertise in vocal technique, Italian diction, interpretation, expression, stage presence, and more.

Mariano Panico

The Filipino singers participating in the masterclasses include soloists Angeli Benipayo, Nerissa de Juan, Stefanie Quintin-Avila, Jomel Garcia, Ervin Lumauag, and Karl Arnold Saret.

Lorena Zaccaria

The masterclasses will also feature a La Bohème Workshop featuring Myramae Meneses, Anna Migallos, Iona Ventocilla-Borja, Carlo Falcis, Roby Malubay, Nomher Nival, Fritz Rivera, Raymond Yadao, as well as pianist Oliver Salonga.

John Florencio

The upcoming masterclasses will serve as preparation for the second phase of Progetto Puccini happening next year, June 15-30, 2025, that will be highlighted by performances of La Bohème featuring the masterclass participants at the Teatro Orfeo.

Anna Migallos

The collaboration between the Philippine and Italy in this two-phased project is expected to strengthen cultural ties and celebrate the connection between the two countries through the opera music of Giacomo Puccini.

Roby Malubay

Observers for the masterclasses on October 1-4, 2024 at the Metropolitan Theater are welcome. One just need to register until September 30, 2024 through this link: https://forms.gle/PjWorK8AdySd7DQb8.

Myramae Meneses

The culminating concert, billed as Amore in Aire: A Filipino-Italian Encounter will be held on October 5, 2024, 6:00 PM at the Metropolitan Theater. Admission to the concert is for free and tickets can be availed through this link: https://bit.ly/ccp-amore.

Progetto Puccini is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Metropolitan Theater, the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), the Arturo Toscanini Foundation, and the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation with the support of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), San Miguel Corporation, Ferrari Philippines, Smeg Philippines, Auro Chocolate, Admiral Hotel - Official Residence Sponsor, and the Viva Voce Voice Lab.

Manila Symphony Orchestra rings in 2018 with epic season finale

The Manila Symphony Orchestra brings their Leadership & Creativity season to an epic close with a performance of Carl Orff’s masterpiece Carmina Burana this January 20, 2018, 8:00 PM at The Theatre at Solaire.

The MSO, to be conducted by Prof. Arturo Molina, will be joined by soprano Rachelle Gerodias-Park, baritone Byeong-In Park, tenor Nomher Nival, Coro Tomasino, and Viva Voce for the performance of Carmina Burana.

Making its world premiere on this night is Alejandro Consolacion II’s Dekada ’70 A Rhapsodic Suite for Orchestra which is in line with the orchestra’s aim to enrich the Philippine orchestral music literature by commissioning works from Filipino composers.

The MSO gave a sampler of Carmina Burana years ago featuring soprano Elainne Marie Vibal, baritone Noel Azcona and Viva Voce through a recording made for the Ortigas Foundation. Note that there was no tenor listed since only some parts, and none with the tenor, was recorded.

While very brief, the tenor part in this piece is extremely demanding and gives no opportunity for him to warm up at all. I do think that Nomher Nival is one tenor who is up to this formidable task.

Carmina Burana, especially the O Fortuna part is one of the most recognizable pieces of music out there as it had been used in movies, television, commercials and just recently as the music for Michael Christian Martinez’s short program for this season in his unsuccessful bid to return to the Winter Olympics.

I do recommend that people head on to The Solaire and hear Carmina Burana in its entirety and make this epic piece of music set the pace for an equally epic 2018.

Manila Symphony Orchestra Concert Season 2017-2018

Leadership & Creativity Season Finale

January 20, 2018, 8:00 PM | The Theatre at Solaire

Featuring:

Rachelle Gerodias-Park, soprano

Byeong-In Park, baritone

Nomher Nival, tenor

Coro Tomasino

Viva Voce

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Arturo Molina, conductor

Program:

Alejandro Consolacion II

     Dekada '70 A Rhapsodic Suite for Orchestra

Carl Orff

     Carmina Burana

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

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

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.