After its  grand CCP debut in the ’80s, Felipe Padilla de Leon’s opera “Noli Me Tangere” (with libretto by Guillermo Tolentino) returned to the local opera scene as a chamber opera at Dulaang Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero courtesy of Dulaang UP under the direction of  Alexander Cortez.

With soprano Camille Lopez Molina as music director and vocal coach, “Noli” the opera did away with an orchestra and serviced its music requirements with just two pianos, with the sound of a flute resurfacing in “Awit ng Gabi ni Sisa” competently sung by Rica Nepomuceno.

For opera-lovers, this opera is only remembered for the “Sisa” aria (identified with Fides Cuyugan Asensio and Luz Morete in its CCP staging) and “Kay Tamis ng Buhay,” beautifully rendered in the new production by Elainne Vibal.

But baritone Jonathan Velasco was a most welcome vocal presence. There is a highly promising tenor in Michael Galang who sang Alfonso Linares.

Gerard Kristof Diola as Basilio figured in a highly touching death scene with Sisa, and his boy soprano voice was surely the vocal discovery of the evening.

Cost-cutting didn’t damage this opera. The production design of Gino Gonzales was a standout. The use of Ilocos’  abel fabric in the costumes  provided  visual allure.

The direction of Cortez did wonders to this almost-forgotten opera.

Lopez-Molina did a good job coaching this stable of mostly young singers. Without an orchestra, opera-watchers were able to size up the singers for what they were worth, almost like figuring in a recital with the  piano hidden on the right wing of the stage.

Formidable soloists

The music treat of November was the season finale concert of the Manila Symphony Orchestra with its three formidable soloists—cellist Victor Michael Coo, violinist Arturo Molina and pianist J. Greg Zuniega—in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto under the baton of Russian conductor Alexander Vikulov.

The piece is no doubt a piano trio with orchestra, and the elements of chamber music well-sculpted. The three soloists wielded a cohesive sound.

After the performance, you realize Beethoven was, indeed, a genius even with his impaired hearing at the twilight of his musical life.

The presence of Vikulov (courtesy of Ballet Manila’s Lisa Macuja-Elizalde) gave this concert another impetus from the Russian musical point of view. Vikulov  studied with St. Petersburg conductor and composer Timur Kogan, a student of  Shostakovich. Vikulov’s  passion for details showed in the rendition of   “Prometheus” Overture and Symphony No. 7.

But in his handling of the Triple Concerto, Vikulov certainly brought out the best in the soloists, enough to  rekindle the gray November in your soul.

Rare feat

The Manila debut of 11-year old Mishael Romano at UP Balay Kalinaw  last Nov. 26 was greeted with a standing ovation at the end of the  Haydn  D Major Concerto, with his sister Miracle on the second piano.

The young pianist hurdled the two difficult cadenzas in the first two movements and emerged  musically unscathed in the last movement.

The first part saw him doing Clementi’s Sonatina in C Major; Beethoven’s Sonatine in F Major; Haydn’s Sonata in C Major; and Chopin’s Waltz in B Flat.

The rendition of Debussy’s “Golliwog’s Cakewalk” provided a colorful contrast to his program and showcased his remarkable solid tone at a young age.

After a Bach encore, Misha further dazzled his audience when he  played  the third movement of  Fritz Seitz’s Violin Concerto in G to uproarious reception.

If only for this rare feat (he was totally home-schooled), he certainly deserves a scholarship.

Samar music fest

Piano tuner Vic Pantua will travel  over 100 km today from Catarman to Calbayog City in Samar for the second concert of the First Samar International Music Festival.

The festival opened last Oct. 29 to a rousing standing ovation for violinist Gina Medina and Mary Anne Espina.

Tonight’s (Dec. 5) concert at Ciriaco Hotel and Resort is sponsored by Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento and Calbayog City Mayor Ronald P. Aquino. It will feature Filipino international baritone Andrew Fernando, flutist Christopher Oracion and Espina.

For tickets, call 0906-5104270.