A Salzburg festival

A beautiful night of music at the Makati Shangri-La Lobby Lounge transported guests to a Salzburg Festival, the theme of the annual benefit dinner concert of the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines (JSSP).

Now on its 17th year, the Society continues to mount musical presentations to fulfill its mission to develop and enhance the appreciation and love for dance and music. It is also done to perpetuate the close cultural ties between the Philippines and Austria while the JSSP extends financial assistance to numerous cultural, socio-civic and charitable organizations.

The tireless and very hardworking Steering Committee that brought this musical event to fruition was headed by JSSP president and overall event  chairperson Olga Severino Martel, with tremendous support from JSSP chairman Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, co-chairs Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, Tanzania Consul Betty Chua and Virginia Lane assisted by Fanny Blanco and Ditas Posadas. Underscoring the importance of the affair was the presence of Austrian Ambassador Josef Muellner and his lovely wife Kai Wang.

Featured artists were internationally renowned soprano Rachelle Gerodias, Korean baritone Byeong-in Park and the Manila Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr. Ernest Hoetzl, who flew in from Austria specially for the occasion. Overtures and arias from Mozart’s operas and popular melodies from the soundtracks of The Sound of Music and The Lord of the Rings enchanted guests from different circles of society including the business, banking and diplomatic communities.

Major sponsors of the event were Lexus Manila and Universal Harvester Inc. Beneficiaries this year include the San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Basey, Eastern Samar; Embrace for the medical and educational assistance of needy children; and various projects of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Congratulations, Olga and the JSSP steering committee for a very successful and unforgettable evening!