Yatco’s triumphant return/World Theatre Festival/Filfest event/Toro exhibit

“Nostalgic Symphony”, Oscar C. Yatco’s homecoming concert with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the CCP Little Theater, called to mind the following statement from the PPO 1996-1997 season brochure: “The man who has cradled, nurtured and led the PPO from growth  pangs to national recognition is our own maestro Oscar C. Yatco”.

In “Nostalgic Symphony”, Verdi's I vespri Siciliani Overture and Wagner’s Tannhauser Overture were  followed by Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6  in B Minor (“Pathetique”). On the podium, Yatco, beyond doubt, was living up to his singular achievements, particularly in Germany, where he was successively concert violinist, five-time concert master of the Wagner Festival Orchestra in Bayreuth, member of the Stross Quarter and full violin professor in Hannover’s State College, and in Manila, conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra and conductor laureate of the PPO in whose development he had played a major role.

With utmost refinement and restraint, Yatco began the Siciliani, regarded Verdi’s best overture. Slowly gathering the entire orchestral forces until they reached maximum volume, he just as slowly diminished it for the melodious passages from the opera proper’s arias and duets. Again, with infinite restraint and refinement, Yatco worked up the orchestra to a shattering, sustained conclusion.

Wagner’s opera Tannhauser has been described as a dramatic conflict between sensual and spiritual love. Among the opera’s highlights are the Bacchanale, the Festival March, the lyrical aria “Evening Star” and the Pilgrims’ Progress. The Overture suggests some of these highlights which, in turn, were eloquently expressed by Yatco’s mighty baton, making for vibrant theater music. The brisk rhythmic precision, the swelling of sounds emanating from the assured woodwind, brass and percussion players — all these collectively created the rich, dark character  of the opera itself.

Yatco’s stay in Manila was so brief, one presumed that rather than risk an inadequate rehearsal, he omitted the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique”. The rendition of the outer movements conveyed glowing lyricism, widely-ranging orchestral colors — from the most sparkling to the most delicate — compelling rhythmic power, thunderous, awesome climaxes. Obviously still in brilliant form, Yatco held his listeners in the palm of his hand. Enraptured, they gave him a standing ovation, waiting on their feet until Yatco began a Brahms’ Hungarian Dance for an encore.

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March is World Theatre Festival month underscoring the importance of Women, World Theatre and Water, with April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, focusing on the struggle for freedom. The anthology of plays by distinguished playwrights from five continents has been conceived and directed by RM awardee Cecile Guidote Alvarez, Head of the Phl Center of the International Theatre Institute and production director of Radyo Balintataw cited by CNN as a soap opera for social change in a People Count Series introduced by Jane Fonda, and honored by KBP and CMMA as best educational and cultural program. Balintataw is broadcast on DZRH from Monday to Friday, 11:30 pm, and is simultaneously on global website.

From March 12-15, DNA, written by outstanding dramatist Georgios Neophytu of Cyprus, will be featured. From March 25 to April 2, excluding Holy Thursday and Good Friday, Maxine, a global contest winner written by Philip St. John, will be dramatized. On March 23 from 6-7 pm, the World Theatre Message of Italian Nobel laureate Dario Fo will be read in translation by playwright-director Frank Rivera. A history of World Theatre Day messages will be reprised, and a tribute given to deceased theater artists. On March 31, popular songs and excerpts from international opera and local musicals including Anding Roces’ “Something to Crow About” and Isagani Cruz’s “Baler sa Puso Ko” with music by Gardy Labad will be presented.

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 On April 6, 8 pm, at Alabang’s Insular Life auditorium, Filfest’s “String Connections” will feature guitarist Ramoncito Carpio and the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Carpio, recipient of several international awards, will interpret works by Piazolla, Tarrega, Agustin Barrios and Carlo Domeniconi. The MSO will render Respighi’s Airs and Dances and Erik Satie’s Gymnopedies for orchestra and guitar with dance interpretation.

Toro’s third solo exhibit

Frederick Tan (“Toro”), son of Dr. Vic and Helen Tan, will hold his third solo exhibit “Over Carbs” at the Ayala Museum. Private viewing and cocktails will be on Friday, March 15, 6:30-7:30 pm; public exhibition will be from March 17-27: Tuesday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-7 pm.