Manila Symphony Orchestra presents Music for Christ: A Christmas Festival at Santuario de San Jose Parish

December 12, 2013, 7:30 PM

Santuario de San Jose Parish

Greenhills, San Juan

Featuring:

Margarita Giannelli, soprano

Chino Soberano, violin

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Arturo Molina, conductor

Greenhills Music Studio Ensemble

St. Paul Manila University Chorale

The Manila Symphony Orchestra, in cooperation with Santuario de San Jose Parish presents Music for Christ: A Christmas Festival happening on December 12, 2013, 7:30 PM at the Santuario de San Jose Parish in Greenhills, San Juan.

This concert celebrating the holiday season will feature music of the masters dedicated to the Master Composer, the heavenly Father. Program includes works by international composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel and local ones like Ryan Cayabyab, and Ariel Arambulo. Soloists for the evening are soprano Margarita Giannelli and violinist Chino Soberano who will be performing alongside musical groups including the Manila Symphony Orchestra, Greenhills Music Studio Ensemble, St. Paul Manila University Chorale among many others.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra

Music for Christ: A Christmas Festival will benefit relief efforts for Typhoon Yolanda and the CASA MARELLO Home for the Aged Priests of Oblates of St. Joseph (OSJ), the holy order in charge of Santuario de San Jose Parish.

Ticket prices:

Gold P1000

Silver P500

For inquiries:

MSO 523-5712, info@manilasymphony.com

TicketWorld 891-9999

Maxie The Musicale

The press launch of Maxie The Musicale had me hearing Gising, gising umaga na/Wake up, wake up, it’s already morning in my sleep. This line was from the opening song of the musical which the cast performed during the launch and since then, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I somehow knew that it could possibly take another song from the musical to dislodge this melody in my mind. So despite the threat of a super typhoon, I decided to take a risk and traveled over to the PETA Theater Center to see this musical based on the 2005 film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros/The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros.

The title character, Maximo “Maxie” Oliveros, portrayed by vocal powerhouse Jayvhot Galang, is a 12 year old flamboyant gay from the slums of Sampaloc who falls in love with Victor (Jojo Riguerra), an idealistic policeman who has been newly transferred to the area. This love affair is made complicated by Maxie’s father Paco (Nazer Salcedo), and brothers Boy (Al Gatmaitan), and Bogs (Jay Gonzaga) who are notorious crooks plaguing the neighborhood. While Maxie’s family members are shady criminals, his friends Nar (Aaron Ching), Monique (Teetin Villanueva), Leslie (Nomer Limatog, Jr.) and archrival Peter (Eo de Guzman) however, are hilariously loud. These and the various eccentric characters in the neighborhood comprise Maxie’s world and add much needed color (added by some splendid) lighting by John Batalla and character in his bleak surroundings (made possible by production designer Gino Gonzales).

As expected, it was the music that I really paid attention to while watching the show directed by Dexter Santos. The trio of William Elvin Manzano, JJ Pimpinio and Janine Santos set into music the lyrics by librettist Nicolas Pichay. The music was an eclectic mix of genres and styles ranging from the Manila sound of the 70’s, pop/rap ditties of the 90’s, with a generous throwback to the kundimans from the early 20^th century. And as I predicted, Gising, gising was replaced by a handful of very catchy tunes like the descending melody in triple meter which was the chorus of Tulad ng Gin that was also heard throughout the show. I did find myself singing the backup vocal part that goes ~aaaaaaaaaaaah of Bekimon days after I saw the show.

I also echo the statements by others that Jayvhot Galang, in his musical theater debut, is indeed one of the major finds of the year. It is remarkable that he has retained some of his pre-pubescent range despite being already 15 years old. And he displayed a great variety of vocal styles and colors as he utilized different registers instead of just belting every song out. This made tender moments really tender when he used the falsetto and there was more weight into the emotional and tense parts when it came for him to belt it out. I also found it very interesting towards the end, when Maxie declares that he has turned into a young woman. There was a noticeable lowering of the pitch that perhaps signaled the deepening of a teenage male voice at the onset of puberty.

Jayvhot Galang and Nathan Lopez

Other notable scenes for me were the Tabo Tabo part with an almost naked male ensemble performing like the Hagibis. And the same ensemble later on donned evening gowns and swimsuits during the Beaucon which really added more to the entertainment factor. Aaron and Nomer had their moments during the talent portion numbers of the Beaucon which was so camp. Their production numbers probably had the most horrible dancing technique, (intentionally I think) ever accurately mirroring actual talent competitions that give more credit to the energy level and projection rather than to proper execution and actual talent. Teetin’s useless talent portion number epitomized this. This is actually a pet peeve of mine but it was used to full comedic effect in the show and I was almost in tears because of laughing.

Probably the most difficult scene to pull of musically for me was the funeral (that had an actual casket) that had the cast singing a cappella. It’s hard to do this without someone directing or giving cues and the ensemble really had to rely on each other to do it properly while remaining in character. Clearly the best moment of the musical for me was the sort of entr’acte that recapped the previous scenes from Acts I and II to hilarious effect especially the resuscitation and slapping scenes that had Aaron almost stealing the show. It also gave Teetin a chance to have her voice be really heard in this number.

Jay Gonzaga, Nazer Salcedo and Al Gatmaitan

I just have to mention a friend of mine, ensemble member Al Bernard Garcia who exemplified what a true performer is. He showed what a trooper he when he performed during the opening weekend despite being the super typhoon Yolanda ravaging his hometown of Tacloban, Leyte and still not having news about his family at the time. I couldn’t imagine what was going on through his mind all that time but like what they say in the live entertainment industry, the show must go on. Thankfully, his family was unharmed during the typhoon.

Bit by Bit Company’s Maxie The Musicale capped a banner year with a notable number of original Filipino musicals premiering. With music that really captured the Filipino character and sensibilities, memorable characters such as Maxie, Victor, and the rest of the Bekimons, and a hilarious story that can transcend beyong the intended LGBT and die hard theater audience, Maxie easily stands out as one of the gems of Philippine musical theater in recent years. I will not be surprised if this production continues to bloom and becomes a fixture in the Philippine theater scene. Maxie The Musicale's remaining shows happen this weekend December 6-8, 2013 at the PETA Theater Center.

Japanese violinist Kazuhiro Takagi in solo concert at the CCP

December 10, 2013, 7:30 PM

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Kazuhiro Takagi, violin

Greg Zuniega, piano

Programme:

Johann Sebastian Bach Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005

Karol Szymanowski Three Myths for violin and piano, Op. 30

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op. 42

Camille Saint-Saëns Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75

The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents Japanese violinist Kazuhiro Takagi as he performs in a solo concert billed as Takagi in Concert: A Violin Recital on December 10, 2013, 7:30 PM at the CCP’s Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

Along with collaborating pianist Greg Zuniega, Takagi will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005, Karol Szymanowski’s Three Myths for violin and piano, Op. 30, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op.42 and Camille Saint-Saëns Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75.

Born in Osaka, Japan, Kazuhiro Takagi started violin lessons at the age of six where he studied under Takayoshi Wanami, Yuko Mori, Eduard Wulfson and Eduard Schmieder. He later left for France to study at the Conservatoire National Superieur Musique de Lyon where he graduated with the highest grades in 1994. He furthered his training at Southern Methodist University in 1995 and Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts in 2000 via Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan. His major awards include a prize at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels (1997), 3rd prize at the Geneva International Music Competition (1998), and the 1st prize as the first violinist of the Eusia String Quartet at the Fischoff National Music Competition in Indiana State, USA (2001). He also obtained the National Arts Festival New Artist Award sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Osaka Cultural Festival Grand Prize (2005) and the Recorded Work Award, Audio Category at the 19th Music Pen Club Japan (2007).

Violinist Kazuhiro Takagi

Takagi had been a soloist of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and Wuerttembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen in Germany. He served as concertmaster of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago conducted by Daniel Barenboim and a solo concertmaster of the Wuerttembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen in Germany, Kazuhiro Takagi had also been a concertmaster of the touring Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (2007-2012) as well as a solo concertmaster of the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra (2006-2013). He is currently a member of the Nagaokakyo Chamber Ensemble in Kyoto, concertmaster of the Dallas Chamber Symphony Orchestra (USA), member of Izumi Sinfonietta Osaka, and leader of Lilis Chamber Orchestra. He also performs as a violinist of "A Hundred Birds", a house music orchestra band, and "tokyo.panda.", a hip-hop chamber group.

Kazuhiro Takagi was the guest concertmaster of the Orchestra Nipponica Tokyo that had a concert during the Japan-Philippines Friendship Contemporary Music Festival that was held at the CCP earlier this year. Watching the concert, I felt that Takagi really stood out from the rest of the violin section of the orchestra. This upcoming concert is the perfect opportunity for those who wants to see Takagi perform at a chamber music setting showcasing more of his virtuosity with the violin.

Ticket prices:

P800 Orchestra Center

P600 Orchestra Side

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

CCP Box Office 832-3704

TicketWorld 891-9999

Viva Verdi Gala Concert at the CCP celebrates Giuseppe Verdi's 200th birthday anniversary

December 10, 2013, 7:30 PM

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Gian Luca Pasolini, tenor

Alvaro Lozano, baritone

Rachelle Gerodias, soprano

Margarita Giannelli, soprano

Thea Perez, soprano

Nenen Espina, soprano

Ronan Ferrer, tenor

Andrew Fernando, baritone

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Ruggero Barbieri, conductor

The Embassy of the Republic of Italy, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine Italian Association, and Rustan’s, present Viva Verdi 1813-2013 Bicentennial Concert, an event in honor of the 200^th  birth anniversary of the great Romantic opera composer Giuseppe Verdi to be held on December 10, 2013, 7:30 PM at the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

The concert, directed by Floy Quintos will feature selected opera scenes from La Forza del Destino, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, Nabucco, La Traviata, and Aida. A couple of Italian singers, tenor Gian Luca Pasolini and baritone Alvaro Lozano leads the lineup in this concert. Joining them are leading Filipino singers namely sopranos Rachelle Gerodias, Margarita Giannelli, Thea Perez, and Nenen Espina, tenor Ronan Ferrer, and baritone Andrew Fernando. Also included in the cast are Coro Tomasino, Ballet Philippines, narrator Jaime del Mundo, and Maestro Ruggero Barbieri conducting the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

Viva Verdi 1813-2013 Bicentennial Gala Concert will also feature an exhibit, entitled Giuseppe Verdi, the Composer, the Man, the Patriot which opened at the Yuchengco Museum last month. It will be on display at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music this December 9-18, 2013. The exhibit is a traveling multimedia exhibition presenting three different aspects of Giuseppe Verdi.

Giuseppe Verdi is considered as one of the greatest opera composers of the Romantic era, alongside Giacomo Puccini, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioacchino Rossini, and Georges Bizet. It was a Golden Age for opera, where elaborate costumes and set designs ably complimented the dramatic singing and acting in a grandiose setting of elegant operatic venues of Europe. The themes represent human frailties, emotions, and experiences in everyday life, such as love, anger, treachery, and tragedy – which ironically are still very much persistent in today’s society. In this way, opera serves as a mirror of ourselves but presented in dramatic and artistic fashion.

An added value of Viva Verdi 1813-2013 and of the 13^th Edition of the Week of the Italian Language is the educational component, the involvement of students of music and Italian, who will be offered free transportation and entrance to the Theater on December 10^th, and the Master Class on Italian Opera and Giuseppe Verdi conducted by Italian tenor Gian Luca Pasolini and Italian baritone Alvaro Lozano, which will be held at the College of Music, on December 11^th.

Viva Verdi 1813-2013 promises to be the country’s culminating climax to honor the great Italian opera composer and Italian culture, where his informative exhibits and operatic excerpts will aptly demonstrate his genius and legacy.

This event is sponsored by Rustan’s, Elburg Shipmanagement Philippines Inc., Italian Maritime Academy Phils Inc., Crewtech Shipmanagement Phils Inc., PIASI, FILA, The Peninsula Manila, HSBC, Trevi Foundations Philippines, and Furnitalia.

Ticket prices:

P1500 Orchestra Center

P1000 Orchestra Side

P800 Balcony I

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

CCP Box Office 832-3704

Ms Lulu Casas 895-2109

culturale.manila@esteri.it

TicketWorld 891-9999