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| Bianca Lopez and Ivan Nery |
Due to insistent public demand, J&S Productions' Noli Me Tangere, the Opera had yet another rerun at the Cultural Center of the Philippines over the past weekend.
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| Front: Santino Juan Santiago, Matteo Teehankee, and Johann Andra Back: Jerry Sibal, Jose Jeffrey Camañag, Miguel Espiritu, Nomher Nival, Allison Cervantes, Mheco Manlangit, and Edwin Josue |
The opera, with libretto by National Artists Guillermo Tolentino and music by Felipe Padilla de Leon, which has now been dubbed as the People's Opera proved to be such a hit during its previous staging just a few months earlier in March that talks about a rerun circulated even before that run wrapped up.
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| Ivan Nery as Crisostomo Ibarra |
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| Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara) and Ivan Nery (Ibarra) meet as Jose Mari Javato (Padre Salvi) eavesdropping |
Upon the invitation of producers Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal (who also co-directed and designed the sets and costumes), I was able to attend the preview night that featured veterans Bianca Lopez as Maria Clara and Ivan Nery as Crisostomo Ibarra. Having portrayed and sung the roles at least twice in previous stagings, the pair were in the zone. Bianca has mastered the use of dynamics giving her Maria Clara more dimensions as a character. Ivan has shown vast improvement since I saw him during the last run. He now allowed himself to show more vulnerability acting wise and vocally as well.
The rest of the cast appeared and sounded more settled as well since majority of them were returning from the earlier run. The only slight difference was Paul Dominique Galvez who was part of the January 2017 run, singing the role of Albino. Another returning cast member of that run is Mheco Manlangit who alternated the role of Maria Clara paired with Nomher Nival as Ibarra. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to see the other pair during this run.
Commendable performances were given by Ronaldo Abarquez as Padre Damaso, Joseleo Logdat as Elias, and Krissan Manikan-Tan as Tiya Isabel. As expected, Bernadette Mamauag's crisp coloratura continued the tradition of Sisa being a showstopper.
The truly new additions to the cast were a trio of young boys, Miguel Suarez, Matteo Teehankee, and Johann Andra, who alternated the role of Basilio. The preview night had Miguel performing and it was a delight to hear a boy soprano once again in the role. Hearing Basilio's heart wrenching aria sung at the right octave had more emotional impact compared to having it an octave lower.
Aside from singing, the talented Miguel also paints and a trio of his works are part an art exhibit titled Ang Sampung Pangarap ni Rizal. The exhibit features the artworks of the Pasig Art Club Members and other guest artists that will be on display on BroadwayWorld.com. Part of the proceeds will go to 10 different youth organizations and groups, which include Tanghalan Mandaluyong, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Soup Kitchen of Pasig, Phil-Asia Assistance Foundation, Gota de Leche, Pasig Catholic College Center for Culture and Arts, Sagip Batangpalengke, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, San Pablo Apostol of Tondo Youth Ministry, and Hospicio de San Jose.
Noli Me Tangere, the Opera has indeed become one of the biggest draws at the CCP in recent years. And as long as there are students who study Rizal and his works, this opera will always have an audience. My sincerest hope is that J&S Productions will continue to stage this and give local classical singers a platform to showcase their talents at a full length opera.
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| The youth led by Paul Dominique Galvez (Albino) have a picnic by the lake |
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| Bianca Lopez sings Maria Clara's aria Kay tamis ng buhay |
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| Ivan Nery (Ibarra) confronts Padre Damaso (Ronaldo Abarquez) |
The rest of the cast appeared and sounded more settled as well since majority of them were returning from the earlier run. The only slight difference was Paul Dominique Galvez who was part of the January 2017 run, singing the role of Albino. Another returning cast member of that run is Mheco Manlangit who alternated the role of Maria Clara paired with Nomher Nival as Ibarra. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to see the other pair during this run.
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| Bianca Lopez as Maria Clara |
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| Charina Balmores (Sindang), Krissan Manikan-Tan (Tiya Isabel), Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiyago), and Micah Galang (Andeng) |
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| Ronaldo Abarquez as Padre Damaso |
Commendable performances were given by Ronaldo Abarquez as Padre Damaso, Joseleo Logdat as Elias, and Krissan Manikan-Tan as Tiya Isabel. As expected, Bernadette Mamauag's crisp coloratura continued the tradition of Sisa being a showstopper.
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| Bernadette Mamauag as Sisa |
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| Miguel Suarez (Basilio) and Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa) |
The truly new additions to the cast were a trio of young boys, Miguel Suarez, Matteo Teehankee, and Johann Andra, who alternated the role of Basilio. The preview night had Miguel performing and it was a delight to hear a boy soprano once again in the role. Hearing Basilio's heart wrenching aria sung at the right octave had more emotional impact compared to having it an octave lower.
 |
| Miguel Suarez and his paintings |
Aside from singing, the talented Miguel also paints and a trio of his works are part an art exhibit titled Ang Sampung Pangarap ni Rizal. The exhibit features the artworks of the Pasig Art Club Members and other guest artists that will be on display on BroadwayWorld.com. Part of the proceeds will go to 10 different youth organizations and groups, which include Tanghalan Mandaluyong, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Soup Kitchen of Pasig, Phil-Asia Assistance Foundation, Gota de Leche, Pasig Catholic College Center for Culture and Arts, Sagip Batangpalengke, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, San Pablo Apostol of Tondo Youth Ministry, and Hospicio de San Jose.
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| Ronnie Abarquez, Ivan Nery, Bianco Lopez, and Jose Mari Javato |
Noli Me Tangere, the Opera has indeed become one of the biggest draws at the CCP in recent years. And as long as there are students who study Rizal and his works, this opera will always have an audience. My sincerest hope is that J&S Productions will continue to stage this and give local classical singers a platform to showcase their talents at a full length opera.
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