To tell you my interests and likes, I used to be fascinated with opera music during my choir days. One of my memories was performing at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as one of the backup performers for Philippine Madrigal Singers.
Those days remind me how rich and powerful the message of Opera Music was. And last May 6, 2017, The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra together promising Opera Singers present a majestic performance with nature on a free concert at Tanghalang Maria Makiling of the National Arts Center in Los Baňos Laguna entitled “PPO Sunsets at Makiling”.
Conducted by PPO Associate Conductor Herminigildo Ranera, the well-attended annual concert brings opera closer to its audience as it features up and coming opera singers including soprano Nerissa De Juan, mezzo-soprano, Ma. Krissan Manikan, tenor Lorenz Lapresca, and baritones Belford Mabunga and Joseleo Logdat.
The program includes selections from the opera Carmen (Bizet), Libiamo ne lieti calici from La Traviata (Verdi), Overture from William Tell (Rossini), Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni), Nessun Dorma from Turandot (Puccini) and Kay Tamis ng Buhay from Noli Me Tangere (F.P. de Leon), among other works. The concert’s Music Director and Vocal Coach is International Filipino baritone, Andrew Fernando.
The PPO Sunset Concert at the National Arts Center is presented by Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Filipinas Opera Society. This Concert was the second of the Imelda Ongsiako Cojungco Memorial Opera Concerts and it aims to bring more programs to nurture young opera singers, give more avenue to young opera singers from different universities of the country and to educate more audience about the richness of culture and potentials of Opera Music for the arts.
PPO Sunsets at Makiling is one of the CCP’s flagship outreach programs in the arts that bring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) to different audiences not just in Los Baňos but also to other cities and towns outside Laguna to have a taste of live orchestral music and the beauty of it beneath the mountains of Mt. Makiling. During the concert, the audience from different aspects of life got a rare experience to see the backdrop of sunset in the sight of Mt. Makiling while listening to the wonders of music courtesy of Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and young talented opera singers.
Aside from the majestic concert on a sunset, the scenery of the National Arts Center is one of the unique location that people who are in need of city break needs to visit. It’s laid-back and contemplative atmosphere makes this place an easy getaway and a nice historical vacation hideaway. It is also a haven for young and aspiring artists since this is a location for the Philippine High School of the Arts.
For more updates about the events and programs of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Arts Center, just visit their Facebook page or visit their website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph
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