That intoxicating feeling of love is in the air as one of the world’s most beloved operas, Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’amore, finally gets its Manila premiere with a limited two performance run this October 7 & 8, 2017 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
For years, small, abridged concert stagings have been performed in here but a full
production of this opera has never been done. Now, thanks to the Rustan Commercial Corporation, Cultural Center of the
Philippines, and The Peninsula Manila, in cooperation with the
Philippine-Italian Association under the auspices of the Italian Embassy that this is seeing the light of day.
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| Nemorino (David Astorga) hangs on to Adina's (Elena Monti) every word |
This production boasts of an
international cast led by Italian soprano Elena Monti (Adina), Costa Rican tenor
David Astorga (Nemorino), and Italian bass Francesco Vultaggio (Dulcamara).
Korean baritone Byeong-In Park (Belcore) and our very own Rachelle
Gerodias-Park (Gianetta) round up the cast. They will be joined by Coro
Tomasino under Ronan Ferrer and Philippine Ballet Theatre under Anatoly Panasyukov.
Providing live music is the
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of former principal
conductor/music director Ruggiero Barbieri.
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| Dulcamara (Francesco Vultaggio) making outrageous claims |
I had the opportunity to take a
sneak peek and watch the technical dress rehearsal. It is so tempting to
describe what I saw and heard in detail and also to post a lot more photos in
here but that would be telling. I want
others to see the opera for themselves. All I can say is that David’s Una furtiva lagrima was so exquisite
that there were shouts of bravo from the small number of audience present and
those at the wings after he finished the famous aria.
This may sound trivial but for me
it’s extremely vital: thank goodness that there will be a real harp in this, or
else, Una furtiva… will be ruined.
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| Belcore (Byeong-In Park) proposes a toast at his wedding |
Director Vincenzo Grisostomi
Travaglini leads the artistic and production team along with Direction
Consultant Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong. Completing the team are Maurizio
Varamo (Set Design), Flavio Monti (Set Project Assistant), Otello Camponeschi (Costume
Design), and Giovanni Pirandello (Lighting Design).
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| Gianetta (Rachelle Gerodias-Park) spreading gossip |
This production of L’Elisir d’amore is in celebration of
the 70th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy as well at the 65th Sapphire Anniversary of the
Rustan Group of Companies. This project is made possible through the
sponsorship of Royal Duty Free Shops, Hermes, Debenhams, Rustan Marketing
Corporation, Rustan Supercenters, Inc., Megaworld, and Bergamo.
This opera fundraiser is produced
by Zenaida R. Tantoco with Nestor O. Jardin and Dr. Raul M. Sunico as Executive
Producers. Proceeds from this will benefit the construction of the San Pablo
Apostol Parish Church in Tondo, Manila.
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| Nemorino (David Astorga) sings Una furtiva lagrima |
Gala Night performance of L’Elisir d’amore is on October 7, 2017,
8:00 PM and the matinee performance is on October 8, 2017, 3:00 PM at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.
