Lani enchants in ‘Harana’ concert

Upon entering Hotel de Oriente, one of the centerpiece restored buildings  at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Bagac, Bataan),  one will immediately get enthralled  with its beauty and amazing structure.

There is a grand staircase that tells you you’ve been transported to a different time in history. Carved on it are what seem like beautiful flowers and the yellow lights that adorned the lobby added spark to it.

More amazing was the sight inside the Manila Hall, the ballroom where the concert was held. The design inside are inspired by art deco, baroque and rococo – opulence to the highest degree.

It was indeed the perfect venue for Miss Lani Misalucha’s one-night concert titled “Harana.” The Asia’s Nightingale is the first Filipino artist to hold a concert in the fabulous venue.

Lani set the tone for the night by singing “Aba, Ba, Ba, Boogie” from the musical “Katy,” mashed it up with “These Boots Were Made for Walking,” and we knew we were in for an enchanting night of music.

When she sang the movie themes medley “Moon River,” “Love Story” (Where Do I Begin), “The Way We Were,” and “My Heart Will Go On,” Lani had the audience applauding in delight. She sang the medley with so much emotion, that you can feel the drama behind every song.

Another number that was cheered on wildly was her tribute to famed composers Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco and Willy Cruz. She sang Cayabyab’s “Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang,” Canseco’s “Paano Ba Ang Mangarap” and “Pangarap na Bituin” by Willy Cruz in a medley, her voice so soothing yet piercing the heart with emotions.

The most unforgettable medley was the “Queen of the Night,” an aria from the Magic Flute of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Latin hymn “Ave Maria” and the Spanish classical favorite love theme “Besame Mucho.”

Lani showcased her vocal prowess as a mezzo soprano. Vocally and technically difficult is “Queen of the Night” but she performed with so much aplomb and she was pitch perfect. She sang “Ave Maria” solemnly like a prayer and when she sang “Besame Mucho,” you can feel the love radiating from inside her.

Her finale numbers were her hit songs “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” and “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin.” Too bad she did not sing her signature song “Tila.”

Her encore number was “Manila,” the hit from the group Hotdog. As she sang it, we can feel her longing for home. It is her homage to the place she knows she will always belong.

In an after-concert interview, Lani was asked about the secret to maintaining her crystal clear singing voice. “I thank God. I am thankful for this gift. I mean, you know, this is the gift that puts food on the table,” she said.

Lani was candid enough to admit that if the time comes she could no longer sing, she will bow out of the scene. “I’ve been thinking of retiring. That was one of the reasons why we left for the States, to start a new life. We want to have a simple life in the US but the music keeps on going, it keeps on chasing me. Honestly, I would go on this direction but it would just follow me wherever I go.”

“This seems to prove the saying that an artist will always be an artist. Even my husband said this was the talent given to me so I should go on using it and nurturing it. I should not stop. I guess that is what I will do. I will continue singing as long as I can. I would like to thank all of those who continue to believe in me and support my music,” she said.

In her “Harana” concert, Lani showed her versatility as a performer. “I really wanted it that way. I want the audience to listen to something varied and I really meant to offer them a different kind of musical experience,” said Lani.

“I want something with variety, with surprise, with various vocal textures. But of course, there should also be song numbers that many can relate to.”

When Lani performed the classical songs, the audience was blown away. “I love singing classical songs. I am most comfortable singing them. Your voice is not strained, there is right vocal placement. There is purity to it,” she added.

Lani’s love for classical songs was an influence from her father who loved playing the genre during her growing up years. She learned “Ave Maria” when she was only eight, hardly understanding what the song meant.

“I love classical and kundiman. I would like to have an album of kundiman songs,” she said in parting.