MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Opera Company (POC), the country’s only opera company that produces regular productions, turns 10 this year. POC looks back on its triumphs and challenges in the past 10 years by restaging its most successful productions, and launching new recordings lined up one after the other from May 2009 to October 2010.
POC restages its most recent hit show “Harana” from May 28 to 30 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. It will once again feature Ana Feleo, Deeda Barretto, Karla Gutierrez, Florence Aguilar, Sherwin Sozon, Lawrence Jatayna, Noel Rayos and Miguel Castro. “Harana” takes its audience on a spectacular journey showcasing the very best of Filipino music, from the indigenous Cordilleras to pre-colonial, from contemporary to fusion.
Feleo, wearing a record producer’s hat this time around, will launch the official cast recording of “Harana” in time for the show’s rerun. Film scorer and stage musical composer Von de Guzman arranges the album tracks, which include classic favorites Kalesa, Ang Maya, Waray Waray, Bituing Marikit, Iyo Kailan Pa Man, Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Kabukiran, Pamaypay ng Maynila, Ang Maya, and Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran.
“Harana” will also tour the Hague and Amsterdam, The Netherlands from June 15 to 22.
Before the year ends, POC will officially launch three of its most promising young crossover performers collectively referred to as the Opera Belles. These young ladies sing beloved classical and semi-classical songs from opera master Giacomo Puccini to multi-awarded film scorer and arranger Ennio Morricone; from old school jazz to the latest Broadway tunes. The Opera Belles are presently recording their debut album, which is also being arranged by De Guzman.
POC is also launching five incredibly talented men who are bringing a fresh, innovative sound to bridge the gap between classical and pop music. Their repertoire contains covers of popular classical songs and themes from the movies, to create a more commercial classical pop crossover sound.
“Opera Now,” a grand night of opera featuring 30 of the country’s top classical performers, will be staged in October 2010.
“POC has been growing amid all the challenges we encounter every year. Mounting opera seasons in 2006 and 2008 was way too expensive, but we survived it. But I guess our biggest achievement so far is the people we have employed here. The opera company has served as a platform for classical singers to perform, a place they can call ‘home,’” says Gutierrez, POC artistic and managing director.
POC is currently representing around 85 classical singers in its pool of talents. Its main office has an extensive audio and video library where resident artists, and students studying classical performance can conduct research.
Moreover, a performance school called The Philippine Opera Center for the Performing Arts has been established by POC. It offers beginners and advanced students, voice, piano, guitar and violin lessons. It also offers group workshops called “Music and Movement” from toddlers to adults. Master classes are also available.
For information, call 892-8786, e-mail phil_opera_co@yahoo.com, or visit www.philippineoperacompany.com.