RAd week November 27-December 3: Music performances beyond Metro Manila

Slim pickings in terms of classical music for Metro Manila folks this week but that doesn't mean that there aren't any performances happening elsewhere in the country.

Up in Baguio, internationally renowned tenor Arthur Espiritu, one of the country's top sopranos Stefanie Quintin-Avila, and the ever reliable and versatile pianist Mariel Ilusorio team up for Christmas Solstice on December 2, 2023, 6:00 PM at Canto, Kisad Road in Baguio.

This early Christmas treat will see Arthur, Stefanie, and Mariel perform a mix of classical, musical theater, and holiday music.

Going a bit south to the central Philippine islands, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra continues their outreach concert tour with Hala Bira PPO sa Kalibo on November 29, 2023, 7:00 PM at the Aklan Provincial Capitol, in front of the Godofredo P. Ramos Park, in Kalibo, Aklan.

This Cultural Center of the Philippines' outreach concert, a part of the orchestra's ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, will also feature soprano Gerphil Flores-Libana and tenor and musical theatre actor Arman Ferrer. Herminigildo Ranera conducts.

Lined up for the evening are a mix of classical, musical theater, OPM, and surprise numbers especially programmed for the Aklanon audience.

While Metro Manila takes a breather this week, the Manila Pianos Artist Series is a model of consistency with its weekend concerts.

Pianist Jordan Shangkuan Ong will have a solo recital on December 2, 2023, 6:00 PM. Billed as Rhapsody, the performance will feature music by George Gershwin, Frédéric Chopin, Aram Khachaturian, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and a selection of Filipino and Chinese songs.

On December 3, 2023, 7:00 PM, vocal ensemble PASIPO presents Hodie: A Christmas Offering. The group, a part of the talent roster of the Manila Pianos Artist Series since 2019, will perform a Christmas themed program with music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, and Felipe de Leon.

Both Rhapsody and Hodie: A Christmas Offering will be held at the Manila Pianos Showroom at Ronac Lifestyle Center, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

Here again is the run down of music events and more happening this week.

November 27, 2023

26th French Film Festival

November 28, 2023

26th French Film Festival

November 29, 2023

26th French Film Festival

Hala Bira PPO sa Kalibo

November 30, 2023

26th French Film Festival

December 1, 2023

26th French Film Festival

December 2, 2023

26th French Film Festival

Christmas Solstice

Rhapsody

December 3, 2023

26th French Film Festival

Hodie: A Christmas Offering

CCP stages Donizetti's opera masterpiece Lucia di Lammermoor

Before the onslaught of the sickeningly sweet and saccharine Valentines Day offerings, experience something tragic, classic, and definitely operatic with Lucia di Lammermoor, the opera masterpiece with music by Gaetano Donizetti and libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, to be staged on January 31, 2020, 8:00 PM and February 2, 2020, 3:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Rustan Group of Companies, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., and the Embassy of Italy Manila, this production marks the return of international Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu, portraying the role of Edgardo, to the CCP Main Theater stage since 2012's  Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Arthur Espiritu and Melody Louledjian

CCP President Arsenio Nick Lizaso recalled how impressed he was with Arthur Espiritu when he saw his Special Concert Series back in September 2018 and that he deserves to be seen at a bigger stage in a full opera production as opposed to a recital.

Joining Espiritu is French-Aremenian soprano Melody Louledjian singing the titular role of Lucia. This opera will both serve as her Philippine debut and also her debut with the role of Lucia. At the press conference, Louledjian admitted that she has been preparing for this role and was just waiting for the opportunity to portray it someday. And now that the opportunity has come and in Manila of all places, she considers these as "presents".

Arthur Espiritu and Melody Louledjian

Despite not having worked together before, both Espiritu and Louledjian felt chemistry right away during their first rehearsal together. Louledjian owed it to the "magical language of music", despite saying not a word, "you feel like you have an answer from your partner" which Espiritu agreed with.

Rounding up the international cast are Korean baritone Byeong-In Park (Enrico), Filipino tenor Ivan Nery (Arturo), Chinese bass Shi Zong (Raimondo), mezzo-soprano Camille Lopez-Molina (Alisa), Nomher Nival (Normanno), and the Viva Voce Lab choral group along with guest singers from various music schools in Manila and Iloilo.

Camille Lopez-Molina, Byeong-In Park, Arthur Espiritu, Melody Louledjian,
Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, and Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra provides live orchestral accompaniment with Maestro Alessandro Palumbo conducting.

This opera also sees the return of director, set and costume designer Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini and assistant director Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, the same duo from the 2017 production of L'Elisir d'Amore. Other members of the creative team include Giovanni Pirandello (Lighting Director and Giampaolo Lomi Ormanni (Creative Project Coordinator).

Camille Lopez-Molina, Byeong-In Park, CCP President Arsenio J. Lizaso,
Italian Ambassador Giorgio Gugliemino, Arthur Espiritu, Melody Louledjian,
Rustan Group of Companies Chairman & CEO Zenaida Tantoco,
Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, and Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong

The performances of Lucia di Lammermoor will benefit the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. (PPOSI) and the Philippine Italian Association (PIA) Endowment Fund.

Lucia di Lammermoor is presented in cooperation with Hilton Manila, SSI Group, Inc., East West Bank, San Miguel Corporation, LCS Group of Companies. The opera is made possible also through the help of the following Supporters of Arts and Culture: Hermes, Danny Dolor, Ambassador and Mrs. Antonio M. Lagdameo, Rustan Coffee Corporation, and Advanced Foundation Construction Systems Corporation. MAC Cosmetics Philippines is the official make-up sponsor.

International tenor Arthur Espiritu opens MCOF’s 35th Anniversary

The Philippines' internationally renowned tenor Arthur Espiritu opens the Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation's (MCOF) 35th Anniversary with Les nuits d'été - an Evening of Love in Opera, this July 27, 2019, 7:30 PM at the PowerMac Center Spotlight, Circuit in Makati.

Joining Arthur are three of the country’s most promising young sopranos namely Stefamie Quintin, second prize winner of Singapore Vocal Competition, Myramae Meneses, prie winning soprano who has studied in London’s Guildhall School in Music and Drama, and Jasmin Salvo, the second prize winner of this year's Jovita Fuentes Competition. Multiple award winning pianist and fresh from his theater debut, Gabriel Allan Paguirigan will be the night's collaborating artist.

This one night concert also acts as a relaunch of the MCOF's main program namely the Young Artists Development Program (YADP). All proceeds from the concert will go to the YADP which nurtures and promotes the professional growth of Filipino musicians through performance opportunities, endorsement, and exposure to a wider public. 

Les nuits d'été - an Evening of Love in Opera is presented by Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation (MCOF) in partnership with Lyric Piano, DZFE.FM The Master's Touch, Manila Times, BusinessWord, Smart Telecommunication and National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

For tickets or other inquiries, contact TicketWorld at 891-9999, MCOF 997-9483 or (0920)954-0053 and the Cultural Arts Events Organizer at 782-7164 or (0918)347-3027.

Tenor Arthur Espiritu leads A Night of Love concert at the Ayala Museum

International tenor Arthur Espiritu leads A Night of Love, a pre-Valentine concert featuring some of opera’s most romantic music happening this February 10, 2018, 7:00 PM at the Ayala Museum in Makati.

Joining Arthur at this concert are Stefanie Quintin and Mheco Manlangit, two of the country’s young promising sopranos, and collaborating artist extraordinaire, pianist Najib Ismail.

The three will take the audience to an evening filled with love songs and duets from Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème, Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula and Norma, Igor Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, and Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

Arthur Espiritu had a productive 2017 making his Australian Opera debut as Rodolfo in La Bohème. He also played the role of the Shepherd in Karol Szymanowski’s King Roger. He then performed in Munich before ending the year with a stint reprising Rodolfo in Israel.

Stefanie Quintin has sung the main roles in Domenico Cimarosa’s Il Matrimonio segreto, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Coronation Mass, and Requiem, Donizetti’s L'Elisir d'Amore, Bellini’s La Sonnambula, George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, Ryan Cayabyab’s Misa, Geonyong Lee’s Asian Mass, among others. She was invited to perform in various international festivals and is a recipient of the Delphic Lyra Award for Traditional Music.

Mheco Manlangit has her major breakthrough as the sole winner of the Singapore International Festival of Music Competition held July last year.  She then made her professional debut at CAEO’s Youth on Stage concert series at the Ayala Museum. She graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Eugene de los Santos.

Najib ismail is one of the most sought after chamber music and collaborating pianist having performed with global opera superstars like soprano Sumi Jo and Nelly Miricioiu.

A Night of Love is presented by Cultural Arts Events Organizer, the Ayala Museum, Lyric, and 98.7 DZFE The Master’s Touch.

BGC Arts Center Festival Day 2: The Opera Gala

Going back for the second day of the BGC Arts Center Festival was not a question for me mainly because of the Opera Gala featuring international tenor, Arthur Espiritu. Joining him in this concert presented by MusicArtes, Inc. and directed by Leo Rialp was a dozen (initially) young and upcoming classical artists. What also drew me in was getting to experience the new Globe Auditorium and see how this space can cater to classical music performances such as a concert featuring operatic singers like this one.

A bit of drama unfolded even before the start as it was announced that baritone Noel Azcona would not be appearing on stage due to illness. He was supposed to be the first to perform and his booming voice in Si può? Si può? from Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci could’ve been an awesome start to the concert.

Opening the concert then fell to tenor Ervin Lumauag with Ich baue ganz auf deine Stärke from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail. A duet between tenor Christian Nagaño and soprano Anna Migallos performing Lippen Schweigen from Franz Lehár’s Die lustige Witwe followed before Christian going solo with Dein ist mein ganzes Herz from Das Land des Lächelns also by Lehár. It was my first time to see both Ervin and Christian perform and I felt that Ervin sounded a bit nervous who, probably owing to starting the affair on such short notice while I think that Christian’s timbre is more suited for a classical crossover repertoire.

A selection from Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto featured the promising soprano Stephanie Aguilar displaying great control with Caro nome. But the normally well-composed Nomher Nival was out of sorts with a rough La donna è mobile that sounded more shouted than sung. This was very uncharacteristic of him since he was top on top form during the press conference of Noli Me Tangere, the Opera. With Noel’s absence, Bella figlia dell’amore with him, along with Nomher, Stephanie, and Krissan Manikan was no longer performed.

A “dolled up” Lara Maigue brought some color and humor to the stage with Les oiseaux dans la charmille aka The Doll’s Song from The Tales of Hoffman by Jacques Offenbach. Pianist Dingdong Fiel gamely joined in on the action when he had to do the winding up of the doll. And the winding up probably did the trick enabling Lara to hit that high Ab in the end.

The most anticipated man of the night, Arthur Espiritu gave me a sampling of something new, his duet with soprano Stefanie Quintin in Prendi l'anel ti dono from Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula, and a soaring Ah! lève-toi, soleil from Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette. Both these pieces were unknown to me but Arthur’s superb storytelling gave me a clearer picture of what these songs were all about. Although it doesn’t take much to know what Romeo’s aria was all about.

At the start of the second half, it became more obvious that the females provided more character, color and flavor to the concert as proven by Marielle Tuason’s exotic rendition L'Air des clochettes aka The Bell Song from Lakmé by Léo Delibes. Not to be outdone, mezzo soprano Krissan Manikan delivered an emotionally intense Adieu, forêts from Jeanne d'Arc, La Pucelle d'Orleans by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with such rich, dark timbre.

An unexpected surprise occurred as Andrew Fernando, who was really just there as part of the audience, came in to the rescue and took over the Noel’s part in a duet with Kay Balajadia-Liggayu in Là ci darem la mano from Don Giovanni by Mozart. Only urged by Madame Fides Cuyugan-Asencio to step in during the intermission, Andrew nonetheless performed as if he was indeed part of the original line up and had ample rehearsals. I wish that someone had informed him before the concert started so that he could’ve taken over entirely Noel's part and sung more than just the duet.

A scene from Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème with Arthur as Rodolfo and Anna Migallos as Mimì followed. What had come before were just bits and pieces from various operas, so this portion that included Arthur’s Che gelida manina, Anna’s Sì, mi chiamano Mimì, and their duet of O soave fanciulla really told a story. I bet that those who had not seen La bohème before, upon seeing how these two neighbors fall in love at first sight, would want to see the entire thing now.

Kay Balajadia-Liggayu revisited Micaëla with her aria Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante from Carmen by Georges Bizet. Having done La voix humaine, the night before, Kay spent her weekend portraying broken hearted women so it was no wonder that she enjoyed her duet with Andrew. As I’ve said earlier, the female singers were on fire and Tanya Corcuera was no exception in singing Sola, perduta, abbandonata from Manon Lescaut by Puccini. I still remember being blown away by Stefanie Quintin a year ago and she did once again with the same number that had me take notice of her: Ombre légère from Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Dinorah.

Arthur then put a close to the evening by dedicating Gioachino Rossini’s Cessa di più resistere from Il barbiere di Siviglia to Juan Antonio Lanuza who was one of the most ardent supporters of the classical music scene here in the country, even predating the establishment of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Hearing the flurry of notes in this aria made me scratch my head as to how Arthur could switch from Puccini to Rossini which is so musically different from each other.

The finale, with everyone back on stage, was Questo è il fin di chi fa mal from Mozart’s Don Giovanni that once again made me feel the absence of a baritone voice. Nessun dorma from Puccini’s Turandot was the encore with the audience getting giddy once the first two words were sung. As always, this aria never fails to stir the emotions and the audience were up on their feet soon after the final Vincerò! was sung.

As far as the Globe Auditorium is concerned, I would need to experience being seated from different sections first like the two balconies in order for me to gauge the acoustics fully. The sound was okay (not great, not bad) from where I was seated at the orchestra section but whenever the two mics in front of the stage pick up the voice especially during the louder moments, a distracting reverb blares out from the speakers above. More distracting was the noise from outside, like the chatter from the lobbies and the vehicles passing by the road, that can be heard inside the auditorium. Measures should be undertaken in soundproofing both the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall and the Globe Auditorium to keep outside noise to the minimum.

I was very pleased with the audience turnout of the inaugural BGC Arts Center Festival. I saw students making up the long line to get into Katips while the senior citizens were given seats to make themselves comfortable while waiting for the Opera Gala to start. I now await with great interest what this new cultural hub has lined up, especially in the field of classical music, for the rest of the new year.

This week in concerts and Shostakovich studies

For those experiencing the post-holiday blues, the classical music performances lined up this week may be the perfect way to perk up the gloomy mood. And if vocal music is right up your alley, then get ready for a vocal performance overload over the next few days.

Marcelo Álvarez as Canio and Turiddu

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD starts the ball rolling with the screening of a twin bill, Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci , happening on January 10, 2017, 6:30 PM at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas. In this new production from Sir David McVicar, tenor Marcelo Álvarez plays the dual roles of Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana and Canio in Pagliacci.

This Saturday, there is the tough choice on whether to catch La Voix Humaine or Tatlo. 3 Nations. 1 Voice. The BGC Arts Center Festival and MusicArtes, Inc. presentation of Francis Poulenc and Jean Cocteau’s La Voix Humaine features soprano Kay Balajadia-Liggayu with pianist Rudolf Golez on January 14, 2017, 6:00 PM at the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall, Maybank Performing Arts Center. This one act opera, an Opera Intima offering by MusicArtes, Inc. will be under the direction of Anton Juan.

Our very own Ateneo Chamber Singers led by conductor Jonathan M. Velasco, the Gaia Philharmonic Choir from Japan, and the SYC Ensemble Singers from Singapore headline the Tatlo. 3 Nations. 1 Voice. on January 14, 2017, 7:00 PM at the Theater at Solaire. Gerard Salonga and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra will have a special participation in this concert.

Capping the week will be the Opera Gala featuring tenor Arthur Espiritu happening this January 15, 2017, 6:00 PM at the Globe Theater, Maybank Performing Arts Center. Also a presention by BGC Arts Center Festival and MusicArtes, Inc., the concert will see Arthur joined by some of the country’s most promising classical vocalists like Stephanie Aguilar, Noel Azcona, Tanya Corcuera, Kay Balajadia-Liggayu, Ervin Lumauag, Lara Maigue, Krissan Manikan, Anna Migallos, Christian Nagaño, Nomher Nival, Stefanie Quintin, and Marielle Tuason. Collaborating artist in this concert will be pianist Dingdong Fiel. Stage direction will be by Leo Rialp.

The release this week of pianist Boris Giltburg’s upcoming album of Dmitri Shostakovich music has really gotten me excited. Recorded with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Vasily Petrenko, this album includes Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35 with trumpet player Rhys Owens, and one of my all-time favorites, Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102. This album is truly a great and logical follow up to Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s acclaimed recording of the Shostakovich’s 15 Symphonies under Naxos. An added treat in the album is the world premiere recording of Giltburg’s solo piano arrangement of the composer's highly personal String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110, and the third movement Waltz: Allegro from String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68, all done with the permission of Shostakovich’s family.

This album will be released on January 13, 2017 and it will take quite an effort for me to get a physical copy since Naxos albums (and almost all classical music releases by other labels) are not available in record stores locally.

Nevertheless, this album just reinvigorates my desire to dig more about Dmitri Shostakovich’s life and his works. And I think that it’s about time that I devote future blog entries about my journey into the world of classical music aside from the concerts that I watch hoping that readers will also get the spark to take the plunge, go and watch concerts, and do some learning of their own too.

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

Future of Philippine opera shines in concert

Featuring:

Roxy Aldiosa, soprano

Jan Briane Astom, tenor

Carlo Bunyi, baritone

Michaela Fajardo, soprano

Mheco Manlangit, soprano

Carlo Mañalac, tenor

Myramae Meneses, soprano

Anna Migallos, soprano

Nomher Nival, tenor

Stefanie Quintin, soprano

Mia Ariana Tanciongco, soprano

Marielle Tuason, soprano

Iona Ventocilla, soprano

Najib Ismail, piano

Gabriel Allan Paguirian, piano

Full length opera productions in the Philippines are a rarity which is a shame since there’s an abundance of talent in here. And a small number of these talents, thirteen to be exact, showed off their operatic vocal chops at a concert entitled A Night at the Opera, their culminating recital held at the Ayala Museum after going through an intensive three day workshop under famed Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu.

The performers, namely Roxy Aldiosa, Jan Briane Astom, Carlo Bunyi, Michaela Fajardo, Mheco Manlangit, Carlo Mañalac, Myramae Meneses, Anna Migallos, Nomher Nival, Stefanie Quintin, Mia Ariana Tanciongco, Marielle Tuason, and Iona Ventocilla each had their moment to shine as they sang works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioachino Rossini, Giacomo Puccini, Giacomo Meyerbeer, and Roger Quilter. They were accompanied by pianists Najib Ismail and Gabriel Allan Paguirigan.

When Myramae along with Iona kicked things off with Prenderò quel brunettino from Mozart’s Così fan tutte, I had a realization that unsettled me for a bit. Myramae, who just a few years ago was a promising newcomer to the scene, now appeared as the seasoned veteran, along with Nomher Nival, in this concert. These two later on sang arias from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore with Myramae doing Prendi, per me sei libero while Nomher delivering Una furtiva lagrima. Iona, on the other hand, gave me my first taste of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Mi tradi quell'alma ingrata.

The evening served as an introduction for me to unfamiliar faces like Mia Ariana Tanciongco who sang Porgi, amor, qualche ristoro from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Carlo Bunyi who did Madamina, il catalogo è questo from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Marielle Tuason (Ruhe sanft, mein holdes Leben from Mozart’s Zaide), Mheco Manlangit (Chi il bel sogno di Doretta from Puccini’s La Rondine), and Anna Migallos (Donde lieta usci from Puccini’s La Boheme).

It was also the first time for me to see familiar faces like Michaela Fajardo (Voi che sapete from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro), Carlo Mañalac (Quanto è bella, quanto è cara from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore), Roxy Aldiosa (Una voce poco fa from Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia) perform as soloists. I’ve seen them a handful of times perform as members of Viva Voce so it’s nice to hear their solo voices at last.

Another very familiar face is Jan Briane Astom (Come Away Death from Quilter’s 3 Shakespeare Songs, Op. 6) and seeing him sing was a departure from what I know of him as a pianist. This wouldn’t be the first time for someone to change tracks since Myramae actually had her start as a violinist before switching to operatic singing.

The one who stole the show was Stefanie Quintin who dazzled with great dynamics, humor and charm despite most of us in the audience not having any idea what the French words of Ombre légère from Meyerbeer’s Dinorah mean. Later did I find out that the aria is actually a duet for one with Dorinah singing alongside with her shadow.

Aside from the solos, there were also duets between Mheco and Marielle (Sull'aria...che soave zeffiretto from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro) and Nomher and Anna (O soave fanciulla from Puccini’s La bohème) that eventually capped the concert. For an encore, all the performers sang Ikaw ang Mahal Ko by Tito Arevalo and Levi Celerio, a surprising choice but eventually a breath of fresh air since it was not yet another Libiamo ne' lieti calici which has already been done to death.

Throughout the concert, I was greatly amused seeing Arthur Espiritu get all excited and nervous as he watched at the sidelines. At the start, he gave opening remarks and told the audience how these young singers need the support especially when they pursue further studies to improve their craft. He clearly wanted these young singers to have the opportunities he has had to study and perform in opera productions here and abroad. Of course, the audience didn’t let the evening end without Arthur singing and he caved in to demands and did Giuseppe Verdi’s La donna è mobile from Rigoletto.

It’s been only few years since I got first exposed to full length operas and this night only told me that there are still new faces and voices to discover and more operas to explore out there. A Night at the Opera was presented by Cultural Arts Events Organizers and MusicArtes Inc.

Singaporean conductor Darrell Ang performs in Manila

July 11, 2014, 8:00 PM

Tektite Tower Auditorium

Phil. Stock Exchange

Ortigas Center, Pasig

Featuring:

Arthur Espiritu, tenor

Christine Coyiuto, piano

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Darrell Ang, conductor

Programme:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

     Misero! O sogno, o son desto?, K.431

     Se vuoi che te raccolgano from Il sogno di Scipione, K.126

     Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K.488

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 Eroica

I first heard about Darrell Ang coming here way back in early or mid-2012 to conduct an all Wagner concert. Things happened and the concert pushed through but with a different conductor. And the idea of Darrell Ang ever coming here got pushed at the back of my mind. That was until I was told earlier this year that he is indeed coming, now for sure, to conduct a Mostly Mozart concert.

Born in Singapore, Darrell is currently the music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne in France. Prior to this, he was the Young Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for five years. I’ve never seen him conduct personally before but I was able to see video of him conducting the Orquesta Sinfónica de RTVE. And I had to watch the video again to pump me up for the concert happening on July 11, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Tektite Tower Auditorium at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Ortigas, Pasig.

Joining Darrell for the Mostly Mozart 2014 concert is the Manila Symphony Orchestra, tenor Arthur Espiritu and pianist Christine Coyiuto. The pieces to be played include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s concert aria Misero! O sogno, o son desto?, K.431, the rarely performed Se vuoi che te raccolgano from Il sogno di Scipione, K.126, Piano Concerto no. 23 in A major, K.488 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 Eroica, the epic symphony that changed music forever.

RAd and Darrell Ang

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Darrell during an intimate lunch with a few members of the press. I was able to ask him his thoughts about where the music of the 21^st century is headed. He said that there are many composers now, especially in Europe, who are creating new works. Darrell thinks that the contemporary composers who will be celebrated decades or centuries from now include the American John Adams, the Chinese Tan Dun and the British Harrison Birtwistle.

Darrell, with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, has recently released a recording of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Overtures and Entr’actes for Naxos Records. Naxos is also set to release his recording of Zhou Long’s works.

Sorry Darrell, but I'm no Lang Lang!

Mostly Mozart 2014 featuring Darrell Ang, Arthur Espiritu, Christine Coyiuto, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra is presented by the MCO Foundation as part of the Great Performances Series of their 29^th  Season.

Tickets:

P2000 Orchestra Premier

P1000 Orchestra Regular

For inquiries:

MCO Foundation 750-0768, (0920) 954-0053

CAEO 782-7164, (0918) 347-3027

TicketWorld 891-9999

An Evening of Bel Canto

Tenor Arthur Espiritu

Featuring:

Arthur Espiritu, tenor

Elainne Vibal, soprano

Myramae Meneses, soprano

Stephanie Aguilar, soprano

Najib Ismail, piano

Programme:

George Frideric Handel Tornami a vagheggiar from Alcina

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ruhe Sanft from Zaide

Gioachino Rossini

     Ah come mai non senti from Otello

     Sombre forêt from William Tell

Vincenzo Bellini

     Qui la Voce from I Puritani

     Vieni,vieni  fra questa from I Puritani

     Prendi, l’anel ti dono from La Sonnambula

     Si, fuggire a noi non resta... Ah, crudel, d'onor ragioni from I Capuletti e i Montecchi

Gaetano Donizetti

     Quel guardo, il cavaliere from Don Pasquale

     Tornami a dir che m’ami from Don Pasquale

     Chacun le sait from La Fille du Regiment

     Ah! Mes amis from La Fille du Regiment

Bel canto, or beautiful singing in English, is a term that I often encounter whenever I dabble into the world of opera. But being the opera newbie that I still am, my idea about bel canto is still somewhat vague and I still couldn’t say if a certain aria was sung bel canto or not. Thankfully, the MCO Foundation, together with the Ayala Museum, came up with the concert, An Evening of Bel Canto that served as a great way for me to familiarize myself with this singing style.

Performers during this evening were Arthur Espiritu, possibly the most celebrated Filipino tenor today and promising young sopranos Elainne Vibal, Myramae Meneses, and Stephanie Aguilar. Accompanied by pianist Najib Ismael, they performed arias that are rarely heard during concerts in here. The MCO Foundation felt that it was time to steer away from the usual arias, offer something new and also have Arthur Espiritu tackle some challenging material.

I learned that bel canto may be an Italian term but it’s application isn’t limited to operas from Italy or in the Italian language, or by Italian composers. The opening number, Elainne Vibal’s Tornami a vagheggiar from Alcina was by George Frideric Handel who was born in Germany but flourished in Britain during the Baroque era. Ruhe Sanft, performed by Stephanie Aguilar, from the unfinished opera Zaide by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was in German. And the final couple of numbers from Gaetano Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment were in French. I initially thought that bel canto came to be during the Romantic period but based on the two opening numbers, it seemed that bel canto already existed during the Baroque and Classical period.

Honestly, the unfamiliar program, taken out of context, meant that the meaning of the songs were lost in me. But I was able to relish the various tones, textures and colors of the sopranos especially Myramae Meneses who stood out with her solo Quel guardo, il cavaliere from Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti. I felt bad for missing her solo concert a while back and I was pleased to be able to have another chance to hear her again.

The most highly anticipated part of the concert was the last song, Ah! Mes amis from Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment in which Arthur Espiritu was awaited to hit the nine high C’s of this very challenging piece. During that night, I heard that Arthur was struggling with colds (not surprising considering the freaky weather at the time) but despite some barely noticeable strain, he was able to hit those C’s. After this number, he humorously let out a huge sigh of relief while basking in the applause of a very appreciative audience.

Arthur along with Elainne Vibal, Myramae Meneses, and Stephanie Aguilar then sang an encore, Libiamo ne' lieti calici from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, which he explained is not bel canto. Several members of the audience at the back joined in as the chorus giving this number a sort of surround audio experience.

An Evening of Bel Canto was made possible in partnership with the Ayala Museum, BusinessWorld, HighLife, 98.7 DZFE The Master’s Touch and Lyric Piano and Organ.