It was Spanish Ambassador Tomas Rodriguez-Pantoja who broached to Señor Portillo the idea of doing a Spanish zarzuela, directed and choreographed by himself with a dance ensemble composed of Filipino and Spanish dancers.
Performing are five opera singers two Filipinos and three Spaniards to be accompanied by the Philippine Normal University Chorale and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Jose Antonio Torres.
Portillo has choreographed more than 50 plays. He studied at the Classical School of Saddles, Wales in London. He first worked as an extra in a play titled Los Ultimos de Filipinas in Spain. He started collaborating as a choreographer in operas like Carmen, Rigoleto, Hamlet and Aida.
Why did he accept to come here and do this zarzuela?
"I found the idea to be exceptionally nice," says Señor Portillo. "I know that Filipinos will surely like it, too, and I feel this project is going to be a successful one."
What does he have to say about Filipino dancers?
"They are incredible and so talented," he says. "But I have a hard time making them smile. They think the flamenco dance expresses suffering so they dont smile. But when I tell them to smile, smile with me in my ingles macarronico (Spanglish), they laugh. Then all is well."
Bravo, Señor Alberto Portillo!