Washington Post raves about Noli Me Tangere: The Opera

After its successful run in New York several months ago, Noli Me Tangere: The Opera got a rave review by the Washington Post after it was staged last month at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

As you must have known by now, JS Productions, Inc., in cooperation with Resorts World Manila, is bringing the opera (composed by National Artist Felipe de Leon, with a libretto by Guillermo Tolentino) on Sept. 12 to 28 at the RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater, with an invitational sneak peek slated for tomorrow, Aug. 29.

Spearheaded by Fil-Am philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis and supported by Jerry Sibal (executive producer), Edwin Josue (assistant executive producer), and Mark and Christine Manalang (of Ultimate Shows, Inc.), the Manila production of Noli Me Tangere: The Opera will be headlined by world-class talents, namely: Sal Malaki as Crisostomo Ibarra, Rachelle Gerodias as Maria Clara and Andrew Fernando as Padre Damaso, with Robert Perlas Gomez as Elias and Antoni Mendezona as Sisa. Direction is by Freddie Santos.

Here’s the glowing review in Washington Post written by Grace Jean:

A Filipino opera billed as the first such work composed in Western style received its Washington premiere Friday evening at the Kennedy Center with a cast that performed proudly and conveyed a love for libretto and music.

Composed in 1953 by Felipe P. De Leon, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) is based on Jose Rizal’s 19th-century novel of the same name. Written in three acts, the libretto — sung in the Filipino language Tagalog — tells the story of two star-crossed lovers during the sociopolitical unrest of colonial Philippines.

Directed by Anna Etsuko Tsuri and presented by the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Asian Artists, the production of Noli unfolded as an elegant affair in the Eisenhower Theater. Despite several awkward scenery-change pauses, the opera overall flowed with passages reminiscent of Mozart, Rossini, Puccini and Wagner under conductor Benjamin Dia’s baton.

Playing the hero Crisostomo Ibarra, Sal Malaki and his golden tenor anchored the opera, and his expressive singing sent it soaring. As his faithful betrothed, Maria Clara, soprano Brittany Palmer performed with vocal subtlety and fragile stage presence befitting a tragic heroine.

Baritone Roberto Perlas Gomez’s Elias embodied bravery and righteousness, while Antoni Mendezona turned in a captivating performance as Sisa, the mother of two boys, Basilio (sung by the talented Elijah Sirilan) and Crispin (Zion Sirilan), who disappear, prompting her derangement. Mendezona’s coloratura dazzled and pulled heartstrings during her lament in the woods.

Rounding out the fine cast, baritone John-Andrew Fernandez was convincing as the spiteful Padre Damaso, while soprano Katrina Saporsantos sang beautifully as Tiya Isabel. 

(Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph. Or call Mark Manalang at 0917-8253480 or Dennis Villaluz at 788-9108/0917-8571553.)

Kuya Germs proud of apo 

German ‘Kuya Germs’ Moreno is mighty proud of his apo, Luis Gabriel Moreno, who won the country’s first gold medal in the archery mixed team competition (with China’s Li Jiaman as partner) at the second Youth Olympic Games in Shanghai. Also the flag bearer of the small Philippine contingent, Gabriel, 15 (a high school student at La Salle Greenhills), is the son of Kuya Germs’ son Federico (president of the Philippine National Archery Association) and his wife Shiela Magdayao (older sister of Vina Morales and Shaina Magdayao).

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