RP, Korea stage Turandot with world-class stars/Cecile's letter on GMA

To mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea, as also CCP’s 40th anniversary, both countries will jointly present Puccini’s last opera Turandot with world-class Korean and Filipino singers on June 18 to 20 at the CCP main theater.

The press was privileged to listen to three excellent Korean singers — a tenor and two sopranos — render arias from Turandot, with pianist Lourdes Gregorio as assisting artist in PICC’s mini-auditorium where Park Kyung, president of the Korean Association in the Philippines and Nes Jardin, CCP president, announced the forthcoming grand opera set in ancient Peking.

At the preview, we were highly fascinated by the singers’ powerful and ringing voices, with the tenor brilliantly rendering Nessum Dorma (None Shall Sleep), the aria made famous by the legendary Luciano Pavarotti. The full-scale production, which will have Chi Kwang Yu, conductor of the Seoul Romance Philharmonic, wielding the baton over our PPO, will be a milestone not only in diplomatic but also cultural relations between the two countries and a resplendent attraction for Manila’s music lovers. More details later.

Dear Ms. Orosa:

President Arroyo has given the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) the directive to fast track the restoration of the Metropolitan to serve as a people’s theatre through a P50-million grant and to stress the importance of heritage preservation, restoration and conservation. She has also as a matter of policy, included a full chapter on culture in the Medium Term Development Plan and has asked NCCA to apply culture dynamically to fight poverty, corruption and environmental degradation. Even if she will be attending the Head of States Summit this Saturday, she is showing her heart for the artists.

She sent a prayer card to tenor Nolyn Cabahug for his speedy recovery. Aware of the fund-raising concert for Nolyn this Saturday, she has instructed me to look into PCSO assistance for the planned operation at Kidney Institute that is being coordinated by Dr. Ona.

PGMA is sending Executive Secretary Ermita to the Manila Hotel to represent her personally at the NAM closing ceremonies to express her applause and appreciation in a salute to artists of all disciplines who have garnered honors in international competitions the past year and a half. VP Noli de Castro will make an appearance to further underscore the significance of providing a symbolic gesture of gratitude from the seat of governance.

Our 2009 calendar which I am sending you features the mural on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the President gifted UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, and was transmitted to the UN personally by our NCCA Chairman Dr. Vilma Labrador through Philippine Ambassador to the UN Hilario Davide.

With affection and esteem,

Cecile Guidote Alvarez

PA for Culture/Executive Director-NCCA

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Businessmen, artists in concert

Prominent business leaders will perform with outstanding classical artists on March 6 in the CCP main theater at 8 p.m. Emily Abrera will serve as narrator, tenor George Yang will render arias from Rigoletto and La Traviata, Charo Santos Concio will read poems of Pablo Neruda, and Antonio Cojuangco will lead a classical guitar ensemble in a suite of Spanish and Filipino pieces “which will depict the common principles shared by great art and great leadership.”

Musical artists participating are soprano Rachelle Gerodias, violinists Joseph Esmilla and Gina Medina, cellist Renato Lucas, violist Dino Decena, duo pianists Della Besa and Anamaria de Guzman, the Madrigal Singers, the SSC Guitar Orchestra and the Guitar Friends Ensemble consisting of businessmen Greg Yu, Jaddy Vitug and Vince Abella, and the Philippine Ballet Theater. Popular singer Gary Valenciano will share the limelight.

PPO conductor Laureate Oscar C. Yatco will direct the finale, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Chris Millado is conceptualizer and script writer; Katsch Catoy, lighting designer; Eric Cruz, stage designer; Alex Cortez, stage director.

Please send all communications to my Makati residence. I don’t report to The STAR.