Summer in Europe this year was great for the Philippine Madrigal Singers. They performed to accolades in many places in Germany, Italy, Belgium and France. The latter stop though turned out to be especially memorable. It was in Paris where the Madz received the singular honor of being named as UNESCO Artist For Peace. This was conferred by Koichiro Matsuura, the UNESCO Director General at a ceremony which took place in the UNESCO Headquarters last July 27.
The Madz earned the distinction “in recognition of their efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples in Southeast Asia, their contribution to extend UNESCO’s message of peace and tolerance, and their dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.” National Artist for Music Andrea O. Veneracion, who formed the UP Madrigal Singers must feel very proud of what the “descendants” of those singers she brought together in 1963 have accomplished.
The UNESCO appointment covers the next two years. During this period, the Madz will contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to promote cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace, with special focus on Southeast Asia through various events. The Madz will be featured in a series of Concerts For Peace, a Sing For Peace festival and various choral singing classes, workshops and educational activities.
But foremost among these will be the celebration of the International Year of Rapprochement as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010 wherein UNESCO will play a lead role. “I very much hope that the Philippine Madrigal Singers will join us in this endeavor helping to advance throughout the world the values of tolerance, mutual respect and understanding,” added Matsuura.
A really big task lies ahead for The Madz and I am sure lots of activities will keep them busy during the coming months. But before they plunge into all that, the Madz will first show us with what they did their country proud during their European tour. The Madz will perform in Madz About Love....Madz About Peace at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Aug. 28 and 29. They will perform the songs that made their Europe series a success plus lots of new numbers.
Madz About Love...Madz About Peace is presented by Sony Music, which will also release the group’s new album Madz In Love Continues. Fans will be happy to find out that this CD is made up of romantic pop songs like Very Special Love, Now That I Have You, How Did You Know, Love Of My Life, When You Say Nothing At All, Whenever Wherever Whatever, Your Love and others. It will also feature lots of solo spots for the members, a big bonus for talented singers who are content to be known simply as The Madz.
Tickets are priced at P2000; P1500; P1000; P700; P500 and P300 and are now available at all TicketWorld outlets 891-9999; at Sony Music 636-3725; and at the CCP box-office 832-1125. Call Sony for discounted block tickets and students, don’t fail to bring your school Ids when buying tickets at the CCP to avail of the 50 percent discount.
Still on the concert scene: Don’t forget to send in the title of the songs you want Lea Salonga to sing at her upcoming concert at the PICC Plenary Hall. This will be held on Dec. 11 and 12 and is titled Lea Salonga Your Songs. It will be about your favorite songs or say, the songs of your life, your loves, your dreams, or simply the songs you want to hear Lea sing. All you have to do to make this happen is send in the songs through Lea’s webside, www.LEAyoursongs.com
Given how diverse the Filipino’s taste in music is, I am sure Lea will find a true hodge-podge of tunes on her site. I for one, intend to ask her to do a Broadway number from the likes of Ethel Merman or Mary Martin. Everything’s Coming Up Roses from Gypsy would be great. At this time in her life and at this point in her career, I think Lea has the right combination of big pipes, sense of humor and sex appeal to do this type of song and really bring down the house.
Lea Salonga Your Songs is an Ambient Media production with Bobby Garcia as director and Gerard Salonga as Musical Director. Joining Lea will be Ai-Ai de las Alas, Richard Poon, the Philippine All Stars dance group and the 47-piece FILharmoniKA Orchestra.