Puccini's La Fanciulla del West wraps up CCP Met Opera in HD Season 7

When the return of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Met Opera in HD was initially announced, there were just five productions lined up for the seventh season. Turns out that there is a sixth offering to wrap up this season for real.

Eva-Marie Westbroek and Jonas Kaufman 

On March 7, 2023, 5:30 PM at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 2, the final installment of the CCP Met Opera in HD Season 7, Giacomo Puccini's La Fanciulla del West, will be screened.

This production, staged by Giancarlo del Monaco, stars Eva-Maria Westbroek as Minnie, Jonas Kaufmann as Dick Johnson, and Željko Lučić as Jack Rance. Marco Armiliato conducts.

Tickets for the screening are priced at P450 each. To make opera more attractive for young audiences, a special discounted price of P100 are available for students and those who are 35 years old below.

The CCP Met Opera in HD is presented in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., and Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Gretl May Roquim to perform in musical revue at Manila Pianos

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents Gretl May Roquim in Full Circle, London to Home happening on March 5, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom at Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

This musical revue tackles Gretl's hardships and reflections in being a Filipino immigrant and musical theater actor in London. She has encountered in her journey bouts of homesickness, isolation, and discrimination, making her realize the resilience of Filipinos working abroad. The show will also tell her story hoping that it can inspire others to pursue their dreams.

The show will feature songs from various musical theater productions including Les Misérables, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Little Women, and more.

Joining her are pianist Dingdong Fiel, tenors Mark Joshua Morales and Heber O’hara, and sopranos Jade Del Mundo and Rosette Valencia.

Tickets are priced at P900 each with discounted tickets at P500 for PWDs, seniors, students, and faculty available also. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

CCP presents Kabataang Gitarista, Jobry Cimafranca, and Male Ensemble Philippines in outreach concert at Malabon

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with Diocese of Caloocan and the City Government of Malabon, presents Huni Mula sa Sacristia on February 28, 4:00 PM at the San Bartolome Parish, Malabon.

Performing uplifting music in this intimate concert at the church's sacristy are the young guitar ensemble Kabataang Gitarista, "viocalist" Jobry Cimafranca and the male vocal ensemble, Male Ensemble Philippines.

The San Bartolome Church is a 408-year-old church that has recently been declared by the National Museum of the Philippines as an Important Cultural Property (ICP).

RAd views The Whale

TBA Studios/A24

So much has been said about Brendan Fraser's critically acclaimed performance in The Whale. Not only has it cemented his return to the Hollywood A-List, it has also put him in the running for a Best Actor trophy at the upcoming Academy Awards.

In The Whale, Fraser reminds audiences that he is not just an actor who starred in blockbuster flicks such as George of the Jungle and The Mummy. He has also showcased his acting chops in dramatic roles in movies such as School Ties and Gods and Monsters.

Brendan Fraser

TBA Studios/A24

Fraser portrays Charlie, a reclusive English teacher whose relationship failures has led him to spiral into morbid obesity. He is regularly checked upon by Liz (Hong Chau), his nurse and probably the only friend he has left. Liz's genuine concern for Charlie is continually put to the test as ignores her persistent pleas to seek proper medical care when his health turns for the worst.

Upon realizing that he may not have much time left, Charlie desperately tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink) who has harbored resentment towards him for the past eight years. But Charlie blindly clings on to his perceived image of his daughter as someone who is capable of great things and that he will damn everything to ensure her of a great future.

Add to the mix, the door to door missionary Thomas (Ty Simpkins) who believes that it is his calling to save Charlie and Charlie's ex-wife Mary (Samantha Morton) who has long accepted her failure as a parent for raising such an evil daughter.

Hong Chau

TBA Studios/A24

The Whale is clearly a comeback vehicle for Fraser. The unforgettable scene when Charlie feels elated believing that her daughter Ellie, despite being called evil by her mother, has finally done some good shows Fraser at his finest. The complexity of his portrayal in this scene, where his elation could have also been a moment of delirium, might have sealed the Oscar Best Actor for Fraser.

There are also clear stand outs in the cast like Hong Chau whose Liz reflects the frustration and the eventual resignation the viewers might feel as Charlie's health declines. Also remarkable is the brief, single scene Samantha Morton had that gave unexpected doses of humor in the film.

The Whale is directed by Darren Aronofsky with a screenplay adapted by Samuel D. Hunter from his play of the same name. It is produced by A24 and distributed locally by TBA Studios.

The film opens in Philippine cinemas today, February 22, 2023.

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents John Gerald Ayroso Calma, pianist Dingdong Fiel recital

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents horn player John Gerald Ayroso Calma and pianist Dingdong Fiel in a recital happening on February 26, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom at Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

Billed as Siegfried's Horn, the recital takes its cue from Siegfriedruf, the horn call solo heard at a pivotal scene in Richard Wagner's opera Siegfried.

Other pieces to be performed at the recital include Paul Dukas' Villanelle for Horn and Piano, Camille Saint-Säens' Romance, Op. 36, Franz Strauss' Horn Concerto in C minor, Op. 8, and Reinhold Glière's Horn Concerto in B-flat Major, Op. 91.

Calma is currently a member of the UP ROTC Band, UP Symphonic Band, and plays the second horn in the UP Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are priced at P500 each with discounted tickets at P300 for PWDs, seniors, students, and faculty available also. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

A jazzy night with Remi Huppert, Butch Roxas Quintet in Les Jeudis Culturels' comeback

Butch Roxas Quintet

Writer Remi Huppert and the Butch Roxas Quintet filled the return of Les Jeudis Culturels with a lot of jazz as the monthly cultural rendezvous presented by the Embassy of France and Alliance Française de Manille made a successful, swinging comeback.

After swtiching to online performances in 2020, the latest edition billed as Une Soirée, Très Swing saw the return of a live performance with an audience at the Alliance Française de Manille's Multi-Purpose Hall.

Remi Huppert

The evening started with Remi Huppert giving a lecture/presentation on jazz, touching upon its history, influences and how the music genre flourished. He made several references to his written works but they are published in French and have not been translated to English. So it was difficult at times to understand fully what he meant having not read by of his novels.

Butch Roxas Quintet

This was followed by a performance by the Butch Roxas Quintet. Taking cue from Hupert's presentation, the quintet made up of Butch Roxas and Erskine Basilio on guitars, Gerald Flores on bass, Ryan Villamor on piano/keyboard, and Fernando Mendoza on drums/percussion, along with guest artist Uela Basco on vocals performed not just jazz music, but also music closely related to the genre like blues and spirituals.

Since Une Soirée is basically a double feature, the whole event lasted around twice as long compared to previous editions prior to the pandemic. This only showed how much Les Jeudis Culturels was missed by Francophiles, jazz music enthusiasts, and culture vultures.

Conductor Haoran Li, violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr. at PPO's February concert at the Met

Chinese conductor Haoran Li, the fifth finalist shortlisted for the position of Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra takes to the podium at the PPO's sixth concert of its 38th season on February 24, 2023, 8:00 PM at the Metropolitan Theater.

Featured soloist in this concert is violinist Diomedes Saraza, Jr., the current concertmaster of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

The evening's program includes Antonino Buenaventura's By the Hillside, Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, and Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 with Saraza Jr. as the soloist.

Li was the assistant conductor of China Philharmonic Orchestra from 2019 to 2020, and the National Center for the Performing Arts Beijing, China in 2018. For the 2022-2023 season, he led concerts with La Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, Romanian Radio National Orchestra, Lasi Philharmonic Orchestra, Banatul Philharmonic Orchestra of Timioara, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, and the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra.

Flutist Mark Kenedy Fortunado Rocas, pianist Dingdong Fiel in Manila Pianos Artist Series recital

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents flutist Mark Kenedy Fortunado Rocas and pianist Michelle Nicolasora in The Enchanter's Wand on February 25, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom at Paseo de Magallanes, Makati

Rocas, currently the assistant principal flute of the UP Symphony Orchestra, will perform Paul Taffanel's Fantasie on Themes from "Der Freischütz", Franz Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata in A minor, D.21, and Carl Reinecke's Flute Concerto in D Major, Op. 283.

The recital will also serve as a fundraiser for his upcoming studies abroad.

Tickets are priced at P800 each with discounted tickets at P500 for PWDs, seniors, students, and faculty available also. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

RAd Culture: A peek inside the CCP building, 2023 performances

Inside the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater)

Back in May 2017, a couple of hours before Lea Salonga's concert with the Brigham Young University Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, a very sudden heavy downpour occurred.

CCP Chairman Dr. Jaime Laya

The rain was so heavy that it caused a slight delay to the concert, there were those that got stuck along the way in the flooded streets of Metro Manila which was not surprising. But what was shocking to see was the handful of orchestra seats inside the CCP Main Theater cordoned off due to leaks from above. The concert was a sold out affair so who knows where the ticket holders for those seats ended up eventually.

CCP President Margie Moran-Floirendo

This incident from back in 2017 already drove home the need for major repairs to the CCP Main Building. A year later, an audit of the whole building was conducted to see what and where needs fixing. Events to raise funds were then held during the 50th anniversary celebrations that was abruptly cut by the pandemic.

Ongoing work at the 4th Floor

Now at the start of 2023, the major repair and rehabilitation is in full swing. The CCP main Building is closed to the public and the performances have already moved to various venues like the nearby Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez and Metropolitan Theater. But during the institutional press conference held earlier this month, the press was toured around the building and was given a glimpse of the ongoing work there.

Bare ceiling at the Silangan Hall 

When the CCP reopened its doors, several venues inside like the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) and Silangan Hall at the 4th floor were already undergoing renovation. The tour showed that the ceilings of the Silangan Hall and the offices housed at the 4th floor have already been stripped exposing the wiring, drainage, and air vent systems that will be completely overhauled. There were plenty of warped ceiling panels and bumpy floors throughout the 4th floor indicating water leaks and corrosion of the drainage pipes.

Ceiling of the Silangan Hall kitchen

The CCP Library, which has been closed since sometime October 2022, will be transferred over to the annex building which is just a stone's throw away. Some of the library's collection are still in boxes currently stored at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery) awaiting its transfer to the annex building.

Library materials currently stored at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery) 

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) remains untouched for now with rehabilitation work beginning sometime next year. The Fazioli piano remains there as well for the meantime while the Steinway has been moved to the Metropolitan Theater where the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and its office is based for the meantime.

Current state of Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater)

On the other hand, Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) has not been used at all since the reopening and work in it has already begun. Not sure if the Little Theater will still have an orchestra pit after all this rehabilitation. The orchestra pit has not been used for ages due to the presence of water in it. Not surprising since the CCP Complex is built on reclaimed land and the pit is among the lowest areas inside the building.

Even if the CCP Main Building is closed, the performances will definitely continue. The Institutional Presscon also laid out some of the productions on the horizon for 2023.

Lara Maigue with the PPO Wind Ensemble

Announced are the music productions like Isang Gabi ng Sarswela (June 2023), Figaro, excerpts from the Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro (August 2023), and Wondrous Woodwinds (October 2023) to be held at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box), the CCP's newest performance venue.

Aside from the subscription series concerts at the Metropolitan Theater, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will also go on a tour with more dates in various cities in Luzon and the Visayas.

CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan 

Other projects include the Lola Basyang Animation Project and a Flamenco show schedules in September 2023. Also announced is the return of the Virgin Labfest and the Cinemalaya to be held in new venues this year.

Taiko player Leonard Eto embarks on Philippine tour; Japanese Film Festival 2023 enters final leg

Taiko player Leonard Eto embarks on a Philippine tour this February bringing his innovative taiko performances to select cities in Metro Manila and in Laguna.

A founding member of the pioneering taiko drum group Kodo, Eto begins his tour with a special performance before the free screening of Inu-Oh at the final leg of the Japanese Film Festival 2023 at the UPFI Film Center Cine Adarna on February 17, 2023, 4:30 PM.

Gates open at 4:00 PM so walk-ins need to make sure to come in early since seats are limited with no reservations allowed.

On February 18, 2023, 12:30 PM, Eto will have a performance at the Japan Fiesta to be held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati.

The next stop finds the tour in Laguna, specifically at Tanghalang Maria Makiling at the Philippine High School for the Arts on February 23, 2023, 11:00 AM.

Wrapping up the tour is a performance at the Nihongo Festival on February 25, 2023, 4:20 PM at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall's Grand Atrium.

Percussionist Tusa Montes will be Eto's special guest for this Philippine tour.

Here is the screening schedule of final leg of the Japanese Film Festival 2023 at the UPFI Film Center Cine Adarna.

February 17, 2023

1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed

5:00 PM Inu-Oh

February 18, 2023

1:00 PM Lesson in Murder

4:00 PM Blue

February 20, 2023

1:00 PM Intolerance

4:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed

February 21, 2023

1:00 PM Inu-Oh

4:00 PM Lesson in Murder

February 22, 2023

1:00 PM Blue

4:00 PM Intolerance

Taiko Beat Leonard Eto Philippine Tour 2023 is presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila and supported by JTI Philippines and Japan Airlines.

Pianist Carmencita Sipin-Aspiras, next generations of Filipino Artists, set to perform in concert series

The Henrietta Sydeco Tayengco-Limjoco Foundation for Piano presents Keep the Music Playing: Three Generations of Filipino Artists, a series of concerts headed by internationally acclaimed pianist Carmencita “Chita” Sipin-Aspiras.

The series kicks off with an all Mozart program on February 18, 2023, 7:00 PM at the Ayala Museum with Aspiras joined by clarinetist Andrew Constantino, the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra, and Grammy-nominated conductor Darrell Ang.

The concert will have performances of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550, Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, and Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466.

For the outreach performances Aspiras will be joined by violinist Sara Maria Gonzalez and cellist John Paulo Aronico with dates on February 25, 2023, 7:00 PM at Luce Auditorium, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, with the next stop on March 1, 2023, 7:00 PM at Manila Pianos, Makati before wrapping up on March 3, 2023, 6:00 PM at University of the Philippines, Visayas at Iloilo City.

The program for the outreach performances includes Joseph Haydn's Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Hob. XV/25 'Gypsy', Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8, and Astor Piazzolla's Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas/The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.

Pianist Carmencita Sipin-Aspiras

Aspiras is a former child prodigy and since has earned global respect in the musical community through her prolific artistry, great sensitivity, and excellence. Before becoming a remarkable pedagogue in piano and music in the Philippines, she was then the first recitalist for the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Filipino Artists’ Series and the choice to give the Philippine premiere of the late British Composer Sir Michael Tippett’s Piano Concerto with the composer conducting.

Born in Manila, she started playing at an early age taught by her mother, who was also an amateur pianist. Aspiras was the youngest student of Juan Banez at the UP Conservatory of Music and later studied with National Artists Lucrezia R. Kasilag. After graduation, she was hailed as one of the brightest young talents and was awarded by the Music Promotion Foundation to study at the Vienna Academy of Music (now Vienna Music University) in Austria. She studied with Bruno Seidlhofer, the mentor of the great pianists Martha Argerich, Rudolf Buchbinder, Nelson Freie, Daniel Baremboim, Mitsuko Uchida, Greta Hinterhofer, and Richard Hauser.

One of her performances in Vienna elicited this review by the leading daily KURIER: “Her intense playing displayed refinement of taste, versatility and an exceptional sense of style. Strong applause at Musikverein’s Brahms Hall.”

Ultimately, Carmencita did not just perform widely in Europe, she also recorded for radio networks namely Radio Vienna, Radio Graz, Sueddeutsche Rundfunk and RIAS Berlin. Her performances with violin virtuoso Carmencita Lozada were widely acclaimed for their laudable collaboration.

For tickets, contact either HSTLF at 0920-9540053, 0918-3473027, or josephuy2004@yahoo.com or Childhope Philippines via 0917-1005303.

Keep the Music Playing: Three Generations of Filipino Artists series of concerts are presented by Henrietta Sydeco Tayengco-Limjoco Foundation for Piano, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Holiday Inn Suite Makati, Ayala Museum, DZFE-FM 98.7 and Manila Pianos. Proceeds from the concerts will benefit Childhope Philippines and HSTLFoundation Young Artists Program.

RAd views Ten Little Mistresses

The day after Valentine's has been said to be the day for the other, covert, and/or illicit lovers. So it is no surprise that Ten Little Mistresses, the first, original Filipino Prime Video movie premieres today, February 15, 2023 at Amazon's video streaming platform.

Written and directed by Jun Robles Lana and featuring a powerhouse cast led by award winning actors Eugene Domingo and John Arcilla, Ten Little Mistresses is a mashup of a comedy with amped up levels of camp with a whodunit murder mystery.

The movie begins with Lilith (Domingo leading a choir of maids in preparation for the arrival of Don Valentin Esposo's (Arcilla) mistresses. Recently widowed, Valentin summoned his ten mistresses to his sprawling and isolated mansion on his birthday where he will make an important announcement.

The mistresses, namely Magenta (Carmi Martin), Babet (Pokwang), Helga (Agot Isidro), Diva (Kris Bernal), Aura (Arci Muñoz), Moon-Young (Sharlene San Pedro), Because (Adrianna So), Lady G (Christian Bables), Sparkle (Kate Alejandrino), and Coco (Iana Bernardez), expect that Valentin will make decision on who his next wife will be. And each mistress firmly believes that it will be her who will be the next Mrs. Esposo. But before he can make his announcement, Valentin drops dead.

As Lilith and her right hand maid Chiclet (Donna Cariaga) don their sleuth caps and try uncover the identity of Valentin's killer, viewers are treated to many twists and turns, and an occasional red herring.

Compound this murder mystery with mistresses attempting to upstage one another not just with their banter but with their over the top wardrobe as well. The way these bickering mistresses act, they can either be prime suspects or too crazy and absurd to pull off a murder.

The movie provides plenty of laughs, especially the quips of Pokwang's Babet. One has to think if these were written in the script or just impromptu lines of the veteran comedienne. But there were moments that fell flat like the scene when some of the mistresses argue as to what constitutes the side of the pool, as opposed to being its front or back. This came across as filler and didn't really add much to the plot or characterization.

While all of the mistresses were given the spotlight, there were some that were underutilized. Most of the mistresses gravitated towards their arch nemesis (Magenta vs Babet, Helga vs Diva, Sparkle vs Because) or kindred spirit (Moon-Young and Coco) while Aura and Lady G somehow remained the two oddest of the bunch. It would've been nice if there were more different pairings and groupings that further explored the dynamics between the mistresses.

Ten Little Mistresses serves as a showcase for both Eugene Domingo and John Arcilla. It has been quite a while since there was a Eugene Domingo starrer and this reminds audiences that she remains one of the country's prime comediennes who can switch gears and do a dramatic turn when needed. On the other hand, John Arcilla shows his versatility as an actor tackling a comedic role. He exhibits a swagger that makes it not surprising for Valentin having ten mistresses with such diverse and eccentric natures. 

Nods to Filipino pop culture are generously scattered throughout the film but not all hit the mark. Surprising that the homage to Temptation Island was met with silence during the film's global gala premiere held last February 7 at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. It remains to be seen how many of these Easter Eggs will resonate over to foreign audiences since the movie can be streamed in around 240 countries and territories.

Ten Little Mistresses is available for streaming at Prime Video starting February 15, 2023.

Kabataang Gitarista gives free concert at St. Scho

In celebration of National Arts Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and St. Scholastica's College School of Music present the Kabataang Gitarista in a free concert happening on February 18, 2023, 3:00 PM at the Corazon Aquino Hall, St. Scholastica's College, Manila.

The guitar ensemble group will perform an all-Filipino program consisting of folk and other songs arranged by Monching Carpio.

The performance is for free and open to the public.

Kabataang Gitarista is a program by the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Artist Training Division that aims to promote appreciation for, and interest in classical guitar performance among public high school students. The program provides the highest level of guitar training to public high school students from Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque free of charge through a scholarship program.

Pundaquit Virtuosi perform all Vivaldi concert at Manila Pianos

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents Casa San Miguel's Pundaquit Virtuosi in an all Vivaldi recital on February 12, 2023, 4:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom at Paseo de Magallanes, Makati

The performance will feature two of Antonio Vivaldi's works namely The Four Seasons, Op. 8 and Concerto for Four Violins in B minor, Op. 3 No. 10, RV 580.

Soloists for The Four Seasons are Kjian Musika Landringan (Spring), Enrico Louise Tobias {Summer), Aries Miko Lorca (Autumn), and Josue Matthew Lipio (Winter).

The quartet for Concerto for Four Violins are Vittorio Vinci Vizcocho, Josef Shea Young, Julia Elaine Aquisap, and Alexa Rafaielle Simpauco.

Tickets are priced at P800 each with discounted tickets at P500 for PWDs, seniors, students, and faculty available also. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

Improved Metropolitan Theater acoustics at PPO concert

Conductor Shizuo Kuwahara and pianist Albert Tiu

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra greeted 2023 with the resumption of its subscription concert series at the Metropolitan Theater, the orchestra's home for the foreseeable future while the Cultural Center of the Philippines' main building is undergoing major rehabilitation.

The orchestra's performance at the Met back in November exposed the theater's lackluster acoustics that had the PPO and CCP regulars wondering if these deficiencies would be remedied by the next concert at the venue. Thankfully, ceiling panels were installed and this made a significant improvement with the sound.

Led by Shizuo Kuwahara, the fourth of the five shortlisted conductors gunning for the position of the orchestra's next music director/principal conductor, the PPO were in top form making the audience enjoy the mostly Russian program that contain easily recognizable melodies and tunes.

With the theater's acoustics now less of a concern, the music was able to shine. Kuwahara highlighted the contrasts of tempo and rhythm in Alexander Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor. This made the piece's most popular melody, mostly known in the mainstream as Strangers in Paradise, a lot sweeter.

Pianist Albert Tiu, conductor Shizuo Kuwahara,
and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra 

In Igor Sravinsky's Firebird Suite, hearing muted strings as intended was a delight since the November concert sounded as if the strings were muted during the entire concert due to the Met's poor acoustics. Finally, there was now a sense of dynamic range that one struggled to hear back then at the previous Met performance.

Earlier in the week, there were hushed talks about pianist Albert Tiu who was the featured soloist at the concert. A couple of days before, Tiu had a scare when he fell off stage after a run through with the orchestra. Good thing that he wasn't hurt that bad and was still able to squeeze in a masterclass within the week. Tiu showed what a trooper he is as he practically didn't miss a beat in the rhythmically charged Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat Major, Op. 10 on the night of the concert.

Although there was a significant improvement with the Met's acoustics, it is still far from perfect. The depth of sound is still a bit off and the clapping from Antonino Buenaventura's Mindanao Sketches sounded as if the hands were gloved. But this is already nitpicking and not that much of a deal breaker.

Overall, the Kuwahara led PPO showed an invigorated unit showing none of the fatigue from the orchestra's Dinagyang Festival series of performances a couple of weeks prior. And so far in the series, this has been the most satisfying concerto with both the orchestra and soloist in equal footing.

Cellist Renato Lucas, pianist Dingdong Fiel in pre-Valentine recital at Manila Pianos

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents cellist Renato Lucas and pianist Dingdong Fiel in a pre-Valentine cello recital on February 11, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom at Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

Billed as Songs Without Words, this recital will see Lucas and Fiel perform music by Edward Elgar, Jules Massenet, Felix Mendelssohn, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Franz von Vecsey, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Fritz Kreisler, Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schuman.

Tickets are priced at P1500 each with discounted tickets at P750 for PWDs and seniors, and students available also. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.