THE PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 50th ANNIVERSARY GALA

PRESENTED BY:

The Cultural Center of the Philippines

DATE/ TIME/ VENUE:

May 12, 2023 | 8:00 PM

CCP @ the Metropolitan Theater| 8:00 PM

DESCRIPTION:

After its successful metamorphosis, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra turns gold. Established in 1973, the country’s leading orchestra looks back at its humble beginnings through its 50th Anniversary Concert at the Metropolitan Theater, the temporary home of the PPO while the CCP Main Building is undergoing rehabilitation. The gala concert features pianist conductors Rodel Colmenar and Herminigildo Ranera; pianists Raul Sunico and Aidan Ezra Baracol; and tenor Arthur Espiritu.

For this milestone, the CCP resident orchestra recreates in part its very first concert on May 15, 1973, that was conducted by Maestro Luis C. Valencia, its first music director, with Julian Quirit as concertmaster.

Initially intended to accompany performing artists at the CCP Theater when the orchestra was founded in 1973, the PPO had been reorganized in 1979, with Prof. Oscar C. Yatco at the helm. Three years later, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra was born with a new vision – to be ranked among the best in the world. From then on, the PPO has grown to become the country’s leading orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific region.

Programme:

In this evening of celebration and gratitude, the PPO will perform Alfredo Buenaventura’s Bathaluman Concert Overture and Lucrecia Kasilag’s Divertissement for Piano and Orchestra, with NAMCYA winner Aidan Ezra Baracol on the piano. These Filipino masterpieces will be conducted by Maestro Rodel Colmenar.

The second part of the program features internationally-renowned Filipino bel canto tenor Arthur Espiritu, in a performance of opera arias that include Salut! Demeure e Chaste et Pure! from Charles Gounod‘s Faust and Che gelida manina from Giacomo Puccini‘s La Boheme. He will also sing the Kundiman ng Langit by Augusto Espino. Joining the PPO in the performance of George Gershwin‘s Rhapsody in Blue is world-renowned and award-winning pianist Raul Sunico, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera.

About the Guest Performers:

Raul Sunico, pianist

Former CCP president Dr. Sunico has brought home several awards in piano competitions held abroad including a silver medal in the 1979 Viotti International Piano Competition in Vercelli, Italy. He has also given solo recitals in Canada, Mexico, France, the United States, and Australia, among other countries. The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines Awardee for Music in 1986, he has recorded around 50 compact discs, including his piano transcriptions of Filipino folk songs and kundimans, concertos by Grieg, Saint-Saens, Ravel, and Lucino Sacramento; solo classical pieces; popular American songs set to piano; chamber and duo piano music, and original compositions.

Arthur Espiritu, tenor

Critically-acclaimed Filipino tenor is renowned for his impressive vocals and great presence on stage. Espiritu has performed in various operas, concerts, and recitals across the United States and other countries, showcasing his versatility and range as a performer. He has performed in the CCP opera production of Lucia di Lammermoor in 2020.

The anniversary concert will culminate with a must-watch performance of renowned pianist Dr., playing Rhapsody in Blue under the baton of PPO resident conductor Herminigildo Ranera.

Rodel Colmenar, conductor

Known as the founder and music director of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), Rodel Colmenar has further proven his great skills and passion for music on international platforms and has collaborated with several outstanding local and foreign classical artists. As a conductor, he is significantly involved in the Kurt Masur Conducting Workshop in Detmold, Germany, and in the masterclasses of French conductor Jean Sebastian Bereau and Italian conductor Pierro Gamba.

 

 

 

Herminigildo Ranera, conductor

A multi-awarded performer, Ranera was a three-time prize winner of the NAMCYA in 1982 and 1983 as a performer in Trombone, Baritone, and Tuba (Chamber Music) categories. He was a prize-winner of the 1983 League of Filipino Composers Competition for Young Composers and collaborated with his mentor, Fr. Manuel P. Maramba, O.S.B. for various CCP productions. Ranera is the founder of the Philippine Band Association (PHILBANDA), a board member of the Asia-Pacific Band Directors Association, and the adviser of the Band Conductors League of the Philippines.

Coinciding with the gala concert, the CCP and PPO partnered with Widescope Entertainment to launch Serenata, the seven-track album consisting of well-loved Philippine folk songs and melodies from various regions of the country, on Spotify.

 Aidan Ezra Baracol

Young virtuoso Baracol is currently a Grade 12 scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts. He has won 16 local and international piano competitions over the last three years, notably the Junior Piano category of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

PPO Serenata Relaunch on Spotify

Coinciding with the gala concert, the CCP and PPO partnered with Widescope Entertainment to launch Serenata, the seven-track album consisting of well-loved Philippine folk songs and melodies from various regions of the country, on Spotify. Originally released in 2014, the album includes seven well-loved folk songs arranged by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab: Atin Cu Pung Singsing (Kapampangan), Sarung Banggi (Bicolano), Ti Ayat Ti Maysa Nga Ubing (Ilocano), Sampaguita (Original Spanish “La Flor de Manila”), Malinac lay labi (Pangasinense), No Te Vayas De Zamboanga (Chavacano), and Walay Angay (Ilonggo).

TICKET INFORMATION:

Ticket Prices

Loge Premium                                   3,000

Orchestra Center Premium            3,000

Orchestra Right                                1,500

Orchestra Left                                  1,500

Balcony Center                                 800

Balcony Right                                    800

Balcony Left                                      800

 Discounts (applicable to Orchestra Sides and Balcony sections):

50% for Students

20% for Senior Citizens, PWD

10% for Government and Military Personnel

 

For tickets and other inquiries:

• Email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph
• Visit https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/