Wazzup Pilipinas!
‘Ang Sampung Pangarap ni Rizal’ online art exhibit supplements the smash-hit opera.
To celebrate the anniversary month of the Department of Education (DepEd) and to further promote cultural awareness and appreciation, DepEd, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), J&S Productions Inc., and Enrique Zobel Foundation Inc., brings back the smash-hit landmark production of “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,” to the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the CCP for one weekend only, from June 21 to 23, 2019.
Based on National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal's 1887 classic novel of the same name, “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,” made its world premiere in 1957 and features the music and libretto by National Artists Felipe Padilla de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino, respectively. The opera, whose orchestral arrangements were influenced by the kundiman and the Western classical music tradition, broke box office records at the CCP with three sold-out performances last March, which have also prompted this mid-year rerun.
Alongside the opera’s triumphant return to the CCP, an art exhibit titled “Ang Sampung Pangarap ni Rizal,” which features the artworks of the Pasig Art Club Members and other guest artists, will be on display on media partner BroadwayWorld.com. Part of the proceeds will go to 10 different youth organizations and groups, which include Tanghalan Mandaluyong, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Soup Kitchen of Pasig, Phil-Asia Assistance Foundation, Gota de Leche, Pasig Catholic College Center for Culture and Arts, Sagip Batangpalengke, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, San Pablo Apostol of Tondo Youth Ministry, and Hospicio de San Jose.
“We're thrilled that our stage production of Felipe Padilla De Leon and Guillermo Tolentino's ‘Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,’ which we first produced in New York City in 2013, will be back at the CCP this weekend, which also culminates the 158th birth-anniversary week of Dr. Jose Rizal,” said J&S Productions’ executive producers Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal, who is also the show’s director, set and costume designer.
“’Noli Me Tangere, The Opera’ celebrates the timeless work of our National Hero and two National Artists, as well as the immense talent of our young classical singers and musicians. We can't wait to share the magic of this opera once again with the CCP audience,” Josue and Sibal added.
Co-directed by veteran theater director-playwright Jose Jeffrey Camañag, “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” features the 53-piece NOLI Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Galang Ranera, who will bring to life the opera’s beloved arias such as “Kay Tamis Ng Buhay,” “Awit Ng Gabi Ni Sisa,” “Gising na, O Inang Ko,” and “Sa Lupang Pangako.”
The opera stars Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara), Mheco Manlangit (Maria Clara), Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Ivan Nery (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Joseleo Logdat (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Greg Abelardo de Leon (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Nil's Flores (Padre Damaso), Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso, Kapitan Tiago), Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago), Allison Cervantes (Sisa), Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa), Miguel Suarez (Basilio), Matteo Teehankee (Basilio), Johann Andra (Basilio), Mia Bolaños (Doña Victorina), Charina Althea Balmores (Sinang), Micah David J. Galang (Andeng), Krissan Manikan-Tan (Tiya Isabel), Rare Jireh Yzel Columna (Victoria), Paul Dominique Galvez (Albino), Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin), Jose Mari Javato (Padre Salvi), Oliver Pineda (Tenyente Guevarra), Timothy Racho (Alferez), Ruzzel Clemeno (Don Filipo), Lorenz Edward Sarondo (Linares), Renz Nathaniel Cruz (Manlilibing), and Airo Saret (Manlilibing).
They are joined by Angeli Benipayo, Cris Go, Eden Lorrice Dumlao, Erielle Fornes, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Kevin Chen, Marifel Motilla, Mavel Bautista, Michael Del Rosario, Neomi Giron, Otepp Billeza, Sheila Gamo, Via Villasin, Ray Justin Cornelio, Courtney Gormley, Grace Pedrocillo, Larian Villamarin, and Marian Maxilom.
Rounding out its creative team are Dingdong Fiel, assistant musical director and pianist; Ronan H. Ferrer, voice coach and choirmaster; Albert Figueras, co-costume designer; Dennis Marasigan, lighting designer; TJ Ramos, sound designer and engineer, and Alan Dela Rama, graphics and video designer.
“Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” tells the timeless story about love, betrayal, and hope set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture, and murder. It follows Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo's agenda. “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” paints a clear picture of the so-called "social cancer" that illustrates the rotten system of governance, the illicit way of the church, and the unfavorable trade of the privileged class.
The show is performed with English supertitles.
To buy tickets, call 0915 593 4777, 0947 168 1714, CCP Box Office 02 832 3704/06, or visit https://ticketworld.com.ph/ (Official hashtags: #NoliMeTangereOpera #NoliOpera)
This rerun of “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” is made possible by sponsors UGEC, McDonalds, Golden Phoenix Hotel, Island Rose, Pancake DC House, Gourmet Farms, Gardenia, pH Care, Vital, Tent King, Makeup Science Asia, Via Mare, Philippine Women’s University, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Media partners are Journal Group, Inquirer.net, DZFE, DZMM, PTV, and BroadwayWorld.com.