Ana's new homework in Master Class

Ana Feleo, eldest daughter (the other one is Ina) of director Laurice Guillen and the late actor Johnny Delgado, returns to Master Class to play opposite theater and cinema diva, Cherie Gil, (who plays Maria Callas) this July-August.

Ana will play Sharon Graham one of the students in Maria Callas’ class. “It’s no joke portraying Sharon, Verdi is a killer! You can’t just wing it. My role will be singing two long arias, Vieni T’afretta and Or Tutti Sorgete from the opera, Macbeth. And then I work very closely with our director Michael Williams. It’s very important to me that I fully understand what he wants from my character. I also do my own home work, which is making sure I know all my character and emotional obligations,” explained Ana.

Ana who was in the Master Class production in 2006, said, “I am curious to find out where I am now as an artist and how my voice has changed since I last did this in 2006. Being in this production, and going through the material is like going into an Artist’s Retreat. It brings you back to the foundation of what being an artist is all about. It doesn’t matter what kind of art form you are in. The material drills into your mind, heart and soul what kind of devotion, passion, humility and courage you must have in order to be called an artist. I want to go through that process. I am so excited to finally be working with Miss Cherie Gil. To go through the process of rehearsals, or even just by observing her is such a great learning experience for me. I am more than honored to finally share the stage with her,” enthused Ana.

Master Class is Terrence McNally’s Tony-Award winning show, which revolves around Maria Callas, leading star of the international opera circuit in the ’50s. Because of her fame, she has earned a prestigious invitation to teach a master class at Julliard School of Music in the ’70s.

“I want to be a little bit like Maria Callas. Callas never compromised, and I commend her for that. She dove into each role, she revered every composer. She never settled for mediocrity. In a world full of compromise, it is very difficult to stand tall. Master Class is not just about music, or opera. This play is about life and what’s important to you. It’s about the journey to fulfill your dreams. Everyone should watch this play. I guarantee that anyone who watches with an open heart will be inspired,” said Ana.

Ana is an Aliw Awardee for Best Actress in a Musical for 2007. She studied at the College of Music, University of the Philippines under the tutelage of Professor Emeritus Fides Cuyugan- Asensio. She pursued further coaching with W. Stephen Smith in Juilliard last 2008 when she prepared for her biggest break in her operatic career when she played Musetta in Philippine Opera Company and CCP’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme.

Master Class will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza with 10 performances on July 29, 30, 31, Aug. 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. It is presented via a special licensing agreement with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.

For ticket sales, call Philippine Opera Company at 892-8786 and TicketWorld at 891-9999 or log on to www.philippineoperacompany.com

Celine: Through The Eyes of the World

Celine Dion allows fans to take a look into her life as a concert artist in the three-hour home video Celine: Through The Eyes of the World. One of the most “private” public personas in the world, Celine allowed cameras to follow her on and off stage. The home video filmed during the Canadian superstar’s 2008-2009 Taking Chances World Tour was directed by Stephane Laporte who along with his team, enjoyed unprecedented access to Celine’s intimate moments as she played concerts in five continents, 25 countries and 93 cities. Celine is the second highest-grossing solo artist, selling more than three million tickets of her Taking Chances World Tour, her first major tour in nine years.

“This was an amazing world tour, but there’s a lot more than just concert footage on this film. I let the cameras follow me everywhere. There are a lot of ups and downs and it’s very personal. It’s definitely the most intimate journey that I’ve ever shared with my fans,” said Celine.

Clocking in three hours, the home version of Celine: Through The Eyes of the World includes an additional hour’s worth of footage not seen in the film’s limited theatrical run last February. A special treat for Filipinos is Charice’s performance of the song Because You Loved Me.

Celine: Through The Eyes of the World is available in DVDs at leading music and video stores nationwide and exclusively distributed by Sony Music.