The night is Yang: scholars, George, guest artists sing / Henri Eteve / Japan band

Not too long ago, George Yang sang at night clubs and karaoke bars just for fun and pleasure — for the delectation of friends. He did so interminably until they told him he had an operatic voice. Soon, he was taking lessons under the eminent soprano Rachelle Gerodias and, shortly thereafter, performing before audiences with some of the most distinguished singers.

Decades before then, George’s business enterprises, primarily the eatery McDonalds, were thriving beyond his expectations.

Tenor Yang, the late bloomer who seems to continue “blooming” onstage with the years, then thought it's time to engage in a noble musical mission in return for the public’s hearty reception and acclamation of him as singer. Thus, in 2008, he organized the Klassikal Music Foundation as “a gift for those with a gift for music”. Promising talents were given scholarships for further training.

On the side, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, among other projects, was sending thousands of children to school.

As part of George’s noble mission, he hosted last Wednesday a fund-raising dinner-concert at Shangri-la’s Rizal ballroom to showcase the talent of his 2009-2010 scholars. The widely diverse concert, which also featured special guests, included Tagalog, semi-classic, pop songs and operatic arias.

George himself, garnering lusty applause sang Granada, Aranjuez, Torna a Surriento, Yours Is My Heart Alone, and a duet, Amigos para Siempre, with Pinky Marquez who followed it with a solo, La Historia de un Amor. Together, George and Jose Mari Chan rendered Anime e Core (Soul and Heart). With his soothing, caressing voice, Jose Mari then offered a medley of his own compositions, the first of which he dedicated to his lovely wife Mary Ann.

With surprising stamina, George, his voice sustaining even more power, sang with Rachelle duets from “The Merry Widow” by Strauss and Die Fledermaus by Lehar. Forthwith, Rachelle rendered Mein Herr Marquis (Laughing Song), stepping down from the stage momentarily to enthrall the audience even more with her superbly controlled dynamics.

Where did the scholars come in? Cipriano de Guzman Jr., Carl Trazo, Joseph Carrillo, Fiona Gallano, Elainne Vibal and Joy Ann Cacayan opened the program with Tagalog songs, starting with Pobreng Alindahaw. The men sang Dalagang Pilipina, Cipriano and Elainne sang Makikiliti Kang Totoo; Joy and Fiona, Sa Kabukiran.

More impressive still were the 2010 scholars Shaddai Amor Solidum, Leo Angelo and Cynthia Sy. The trio began with Libiamo. The Drinking Song from Verdi's Traviata, and ended with Nessum Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot. Tenor Leo sang Una Furtiva Lagrima from Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore, Cynthia and Shaddai, a duet from Lakme; Cynthia, O Mia Bambino Caro from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi; Shaddai dazzled listeners with the Waltz Song Je Veux Vivre Dans ce Reve from Gounod’s Romeo et Juliet.

The brilliant young pianist Beah Gumarang played Liszt’s “Forest Murmurs”; on the indigenous kubing, Kabaitan Bautista interpreted his own composition accompanied by Beah and guitarist Homer Cabansag who earlier skillfully ticked off Tango en skai. The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted with vigor and spirit by Rodel Colmenar, inspired the performers.

The highly entertaining concert was imaginatively written and directed by Freddie Santos.

A sideshow featured newly elected V-P Jejomar Binay and re-elected Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim who is admired for his honesty and integrity.

Earlier, music lovers were in the foyer for drinks, among them George’s wife Cristine, Eddie Yap, Howard Belton, Tony Pastor, Esther Vibal, Bert and Nonie Basilio, Rita Tan and Anna Pamplona. At my table were Raul Sunico, Klassikal Music Foundation president, PPO Conductor Olivier Ochanine, Lily Monteverde, former CCP president Nes Jardin, and Evelyn R. Garcia.

French artist Henri Eteve, who has lived here for decades, will hold an exhibit entitled “This French Is Pinoy!” at Alliance Francaise from July 6 to 29. AF is located at 209 Nicanor Garcia St., Bel-Air 2, Makati.

To mark Phil-Japan Friendship Month, the Japan Foundation will present the 17-member Yamato Drums at 7:30 on July 8, SM Mall of Asia Center Stage; July 9, SM Mall of Asia Music Hall; July 10, SM North EDSA Sky Dome.

Yamato, one of Japan’s best ensembles, and formed in 1993 by Masaki Ogawa, combines traditional Japanese musical formats with modern rhythms and themes.