Korean opera singers headline Rigoletto at the CCP

August 22, 2014, 7:00 PM

August 24, 2014, 3:00 PM

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Cultural Center of the Philippines

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Daesan No, baritone

Yun-Kyoung Yi, soprano

Jae-Wook Lee, tenor

Ronan Ferrer, tenor

Nenen Espina, mezzo soprano

Thea Perez, soprano

Jun Francis Jaranilla, bass

Noel Azcona, baritone

Coro Tomasino

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Jae-Joon Lee, conductor

After taking a breather last year, full length opera productions are back as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with Filipino Opera Society Foundation Inc., Bohol Restoration Group, and the Rustan Group of Companies, stages Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto with a Gala performance August 22, 2014, 7:00 PM and a Matinee performance on August 24, 2014, 3:00 PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

This production of Rigoletto, a dark and tragic opera considered as Verdi’s first masterpiece from his middle to late period, will feature the core cast and team from the CCP’s 2012 production of La Traviata. Leading the cast are the trio of Koreans namely baritone Daesan No, soprano Yun-Kyoung Yi and tenor Jae-Wook Lee essaying the lead roles in this opera. Music director in this production is Jae-Joon Lee who will be conducting the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra while Floy Quintos will be the stage director. Rounding up the cast are noted Filipino vocalists namely Ronan Ferrer, Nenen Espina, Thea Perez, Jun Francis Jaranilla, Noel Azcona, and members of the Coro Tomasino.

Baritone Daesan No and soprano Yun-Kyoung Yi’s last visit in Manila had them performing at the Ayala Museum and at the CCP with the UST Symphony Orchestra earlier this year. Rigoletto will be tenor Jae-Wook Lee’s first return to Manila since La Traviata back in 2012.

Dr. Raul Sunico, Elisanta Cortes, Nenen Espina, Ronan Ferrer, Mary Anne Espina,
 and Jun Jaranilla at the Rigoletto press conference

During the press conference held at the Diamond Hotel, I was able to ask Dr. Raul Sunico, president of the CCP, if this production of Rigoletto will be presented traditionally like La Traviata or will be more like Madame Butterfly which had an edgier take, both were CCP productions from 2012. He responded that he intends to stage Rigoletto as closely as how the composer, Verdi, intended it to be. So as the CCP aims to showcase the grandiose and lavish, visual spectacle of an opera, they also have to bear in mind the cost. And one measure is for director Floy Quintos to move forward a bit the setting since authentic costumes would be very expensive. But the production would still retain the feeling of being held centuries ago. One can breathe easy since this upcoming Rigoletto will be very much unlike the Metropolitan Opera’s production that took place in Las Vegas during the 1970’s instead of Mantua sometime in the 16^th century.

Rigoletto rehearsals at the CCP Main Theater Lobby

Proceeds from this production of Rigoletto will go to the rehabilitation of the heritage sites in Bohol destroyed by the recent earthquake and typhoon Yolanda through the Bohol Restoration Group.

Ticket prices:

August 22, 2014 Gala performance:

P2000 Orchestra Center

P1500 Orchestra Side

P800 Balcony I

P500 Balcony II

August 24, 2014 Matinee performance:

P1200 Orchestra Center

P800 Orchestra Side

P500 Balcony I

P300 Balcony II

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

CCP Box Office 832-3704

TicketWorld 891-9999