Soprano celebrates 50 years in Philippine classical music
MANILA, Philippines - One of the country’s foremost sopranos, Gloria Coronel, marks her 50th year in the Philippine classical music with the concert titled “Gloria: A Jubilant Celebration” which will be held on Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Little Theater.
Performing with her is the multi awarded soprano Rachelle Gerodias and Coronel’s graduates and students — Noel Azcona (baritone) Aries Molina (baritone) May Anne Abeleda, Eunice Escrupulo, Vidagrace Mirang, Sung Hye- Sim (sopranos).
Special guests are Julie Mendoza (pianist) and Nomer Son (bartitone). Collaborating with the performers is pianist Najib Ismail. Joining them in this celebration is the two-time Choir of the World winner University of Santo Tomas Singers with conductor Fidel G. Calalang Jr.
Coronel earned her bachelor of music degree under Maestra Dinday Yniguez at the UST Conservatory of Music. She later pursued her master’s degree in Performance and Perfection Course in Italy after receiving a scholarship award from His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman of New York.
On the concert stage, she worked with such distinguished pianists as Benjamin Tupas, Reynaldo Reyes, Manuel Maramba, OSB and Najib Ismael. With current UST Conservatory of Music and CCP president Dean Raul Sunico, she performed in a concert titled “Hispanica” for her beloved alma mater.
As an artist, she has played the roles of Marie in La Figlia del Reggimento, Gilda in Rigoletto, Lucy in The Telephone, Maria in West Side Story, Julia in Walang Sugat, and Minda Mira in Minda Mira. She has also done recordings such as “Tribong Pilipino Sings Kundiman, Harana, Balitaw at Danza,” “Tribong Pinoy, Romansa sa Nayon (Live at CCP),” “Mga Gintong Awit Pilipino” and “Kundiman at Iba Pa” with Julia Mendoza, and “Magic Moments – DZFF” and “Voice Recital (Live at UST)” with Reynaldo Reyes.
For the past 30 years she has actively concertized with the cultural group “Tribong Pinoy” headed by art patron Danilo L. Dolor.
Her awards include Talaang Pandangal, the UST Alumni Association, “Hiyas ng Bulakan” and “Woman Achiever” awards (both from the government of Bulacan Gawad Parangal), Soroptomist International (Bulacan Chapter). She is also a two-time awardee of the “Outstanding Pulileña” award. Moreover, she was given the Total Award in the Performing Arts by the University of Santo Tomas and the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc. in 2008.
For ticket inquiries, call Paulo Azul (0927-3660927) Vida Mirang (0917-7651264) or call CCP Box Office at (02)832-3704.
