A Francophonie night of art songs, opera arias with Marielle Tuason

Pianist Gabriel Paguirigan,
Romanian Ambassador Răduţa Matache,
and soprano Marielle Tuason 

During her opening remarks, Romanian Ambassador Răduţa Matache told her colleagues and other guests to forget about work for the meantime and just enjoy a night of music as the Embassy of Romania and Alliance française de Manille presented Francophonie Opera Night featuring soprano Marielle Tuason and pianist Gabriel Paguirigan.

Soprano Marielle Tuason 

Setting work worries aside came easy as Marielle enchanted the audience with her performance of art songs in French namely Villanelle by Eva Dell'Acqua, Villanelle, H 82, Op.7 No.1 by Hector Berlioz, Plaisir d'amour by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini, and Oh! Quand je dors by Franz Liszt. She also gave a rendition of a Romanian piece, Ochi albaştri-s drăgălaşi. Op.41. Nr.3 by Eduard Caudella, that clearly delighted Ambassador Matache.

The second half of the recital showcased Marielle's coloratura prowess with a selection of arias in both French and Italian namely Chacun le sait from La fille du regiment by Gaetano Donizetti, Caro nome from Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi, Prendi per me sei libero... il mio rigor dimentica from L'Elisir d'amore by Donizetti, and Je veux vivre from Romeo et Juliette by Charles Gounod.

Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente

Serving as the intermission, Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente gave an enthusiastic lecture about the history of opera, especially of French opera like how it flourished, the challenges it faced, and how it eventually attained importance and significance second only to Italian opera.

The performance was proceeded by a soirée wherein the Alliance française de Manille and a handful of Ambassadors announced upcoming Francophonie events lined up for the rest of March.

Xavier Leroux, Joseph Felix Assad, Fortune Ledesma,
Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi,
French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, Romanian Ambassador Răduţa Matache,
Cambodian Ambassador Phan Peuv, Lao Ambassador Sonexay Vannaxay, and Marc Piton

Some of these events include Coffee Conversations with Virginie Bouyx and Jessica Zafra, which is also the next installment of Les Jeudis Culturels by the Embassy of France. A couple of Le Ciné Club special screenings, Güeros presented by the Mexican Embassy and Opinci & Povestea unui pierde-vară presented by the Romanian Embassy are also in store. All of these Francophonie events will take place at the Alliance française de Manille.

Francophonie Night 2019: The gastronomical and musical route to speaking French

With my very limited knowledge of the French language but armed with a huge curiosity enough to scare a cat and its nine lives, I took the plunge and checked out Francophonie Night 2019 held at the Alliance Française de Manille.

With a sumptuous dinner buffet offered by member countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie namely Belgium, France, Hungary, Lebanon, Monaco, Morocco, Qatar, and Switzerland, it was not hard to lure me in. And if the appetizing treats weren't enough, there was also the added attraction of music performances by Kate Torralba, Nyko Maca, and Radha.

Kate Torralba

It looked like many shared the same idea as I did based on the overwhelming turnout that night. This resulted in a bit of confusion as to the order of things with some already starting to enjoy the food even before French Ambassador Nicolas Galey delivered his welcome remarks and officially opened the buffet.

Nyko Maca

My initial goal of trying a little of something from each of the participating countries was thrown in the air as the lines from the Swiss and the French tables, for example, were crazy and I opted to check out the other treats from less than crowded stations. This turned out a blessing in disguise since I had a relatively easier time discovering an explosion of tastes and flavors from Hungary, Lebanon, Morocco, and Qatar. These cuisines aren't the usual fare and it was a delight to try them.

Radha

I was in high spirits once the performances started. I didn't mind at all that I had no idea what the French songs that Kate, Nyko, and Radha sang. I couldn't join along in the singing like some of the francophones in the audience did but that didn't lessen my enjoyment.

The evening also featured the awarding of the winners of the Les Marmites Francophones cooking competition organized by the AFM earlier for its students. I was stuck at the Belgian table waiting for the next batch of fries while this was happening. I didn't mind waiting since this also gave me a chance to try out a few of the beers offered. 

Overall, it was still an enjoyable night although the crowd almost made me anxious. It was great hearing a different kind of French music which isn't Claude Debussy. And I have no complaints on whatever kilograms I might have gained after enjoying the food and drinks served. I just hope that those who generously shared their respective cuisines do not take it against me the little French language that I can speak.

Swiss Duo concert at the CCP

March 22, 2014, 7:00 PM

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Laurent Brunetti

Mario Pacchioli

Raoul

Wild Tortillas Band

The Embassy of Switzerland in Manila, in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, presents Swiss singer Laurent Brunetti and pianist Mario Pacchioli as they perform French songs at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) on March 22, 2014 at 7:00 PM.  A performance by Swiss artist Raoul with the Wild Tortillas Band is the opening act of the said event.

Laurent Brunetti

Entitled Pecheurs de Reves – French Songs from Paris, the Swiss duo concert is held as part of the various cultural events in March to celebrate the Francophonie day and the French language in general. Together they bring back the spirit of the legends of the "Chanson francaise" such as Brel, Piaf and Aznavour.

Born in Switzerland, Laurent Brunetti is known for his great renditions of famous French songs but also for the writing of his original lyrics and their interpretations. He lives in Paris and is the author and the singer of his songs. He finds his artistic inspiration in people’s lives, and his lyrics are the reflections of their stories.

Mario Pacchioli is composer, arranger and pianist. In 2004, he received a Gold-Award for his work and his talent. Always in search of the melody, Mario Pacchioli composes and harmonizes with the modesty of the great composers.

Raoul

Raoul is a singer, performer, composer and diplomat. He has released 11 albums, 10 of which his own compositions. He has performed in Bolivia, Costa Rica, Vietnam and Korea. Likewise, he is known as the “Singing Diplomat”, having been a career diplomat for the Swiss Government for the past 30 years.

Ticket price:

Free admission

For inquiries:

Cultural Section, Embassy of Switzerland, Manila 845-4545 ext. 201-202

CCP Marketing Department 832-1125 local 1405