The Philippine Opera Company’s Young Artists Series—Season 2 opens with “Opera Sung. Opera Acted,” featuring some of the country’s leading theater actors singing excerpts from Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado.”
The Young Artists Series is designed as an arts development program for the young, upcoming singers of the company to showcase their talents.
Artistic director Karla Gutierrez and artist-in-residence mezzo-soprano Clarissa Ocampo have sought to enhance the program by engaging the artists in more creative work and perform scenes from various operas as well as musical theater pieces that have crossed over into the classical arena.
What was conceptualized as a recital, every third Wednesday of the month, grew into an out-of-the-box, innovative, and enticing program known as the Black Box Series, garnering not only an enthusiastic audience but also becoming a creative template for other groups to follow.
In theater, “black box” refers to a space devoted to stage experiments. Performers who choose to go and perform in a black box are usually the ones with the most open hearts and sincere desire to hone their talent.
The major success of YAS Season 1 caught the attention of critics, bloggers, writers, and industry professionals, many of them becoming avid fans of the series. Floy Quintos will direct the YAS Season 2 opener.
“The Mikado” is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It remains the most frequently performed Savoy opera, and it is especially popular with amateur and school productions.
“The Mikado” will feature Jon Vera Perez, Al Gatmaitan, Jun Ofracio, Nomer Son, Cris Go, Paulina Yeung, Gutierrez and Ocampo, with special participation of Roden Araneta. Accompanying artists are Karl Estudillo and Marvin Dizon.
“The Mikado” will be staged at the Opera Haus on August 14, 6:30 p.m.
The Young Artists Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Philippine Opera Foundation’s Artistic and Audience Development Programs. Admission is free.
Call 8229609 or 0917-5272880.
