On call: Arrieta, Gil, Syjuco, Utah Choir, Donata Bernutz

New York-based piano virtuoso Rowena Arrieta who, at 18, became the only Filipino laureate in the 1982 Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, will perform in concert at the Fleur-de-Lis auditorium on Aug. 1, 5 p.m., after an 18-year absence.

She will render “Ondoy-Ondoy” by Ryan Cayabyab and the “Hallelujah Concerto” by Ariel Arambulo.

Multi-awarded pop song-writer Louie Ocampo will play a special medley of his original hits which will be sung by the Mass Appeal Choir. Internationally-awarded pianist Oliver Salonga will interpret “Precipitato” from Prokofieff’s Sonata.

Other featured artists are pianists Maritess Salientes and Jonathan Coo, composer Fr. Manoling Francisco, Therese Gemma, Katherine Fernandez, seven-year old pianist Hansel Ang, the GMS-PSA String Quartet, GMS Piano Ensemble and Pop Ensemble and the Suzuki Music Kids.

Entitled “Mrs. A’s Opus”, the concert will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the St. Paul U. College of Music and the Performing Arts headed by Dean Sr. Anunciata Sta. Ana, and the 50th anniversary of Carmencita Guanzon Arambulo as piano teacher of the aforementioned performers, as well as of her own offspring — Ariel Arambulo, composer-violinist, and Rica Arambulo, pianist-composer-singer-arranger, both of whom will also be participants.

Through five decades, Mrs. Arambulo, “Mrs. A”, has launched the career of several distinguished artists who earlier studied at the Greenhills Music Studio and the Suzuki Music School, both of which she heads.

The Philippine Opera Company will restage Terrence McNally’s “Master Class” at the RCBC auditorium on July 29, 30 and 31 and Aug. 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 — Sundays at 3:30 p.m., the rest at 8 p.m. — owing to insistent public demand.

The play is based on a series of master classes conducted by opera diva Maria Callas, arguably the greatest drama soprano, at NY’s Juilliard School of Music in 1971-2.

Callas gained notoriety for her fiery temper and dominating personality, conveyed by the play, and her feuds with managers and rival singers. Her tumultuous love affair with shipping magnate Onassis was much publicized.

But underlying “Master Class”, beyond the triumphs and tragedies of the diva, is the art of dramatic singing — of how it is learned and imparted.

Cherie Gil again portrays the daunting role of Callas. In the first staging, Gil moved the audience with the sincerity, fervor and passion of her acting. When she was recently asked: “What was the worst job you ever did?” She instantly replied: “None, I always put my best foot forward.” Gil’s answer reflects Callas’ own passion for perfection.

I urge theater and music lovers to see “Master Class”. Directed by Michael Williams, the play also includes in its cast Juan Alberto Gaerlan with Al Gatmaitan as alternate, Florence Aguilar and Ana Feleo as aspiring singers, with Kay Balajadia as alternate. Francisco Amora portrays the pianist.

Cesare A.X. Syjuco, who incredibly excels as essayist, poet, visual artist, art critic and musician, challenges friends and peers to discover what “The Ancestry of Stone” and “His New Literary Hybrids” are all about. The exhibit opens today, July 24, 4:30 p.m. at Galeria Duemila, and closes Aug. 28.

The New York-based Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and the FEU will present the Synergy Show Choir from Utah on Wednesday, July 28, at 6 p.m. The concert is free.

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Donata Haque-Bernutz, German, would like to have a two-week internship with any Manila daily or periodical in English. Donata already had an internship with the online magazine “Newsbreak” a few months back. She has interviewed the presidentiables and written a few feature articles for “Newsbreak”.

Donata speaks French, German and English fluently and is learning Pilipino. She has an avid interest in the history of the Philippines, as well as its politics, economy and society. She may be contacted at tel. no. 0917-6496397.