Jovita Fuentes contest top winner holds recital today; American songbook goes to Baguio

Tenor Radnel Ofalsa

Millennials should take advantage of several classical concerts this May, such as that by Radnel Ofalsa, top winner of this year’s Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition, today, May 21,  4 p.m., at Albertus Magnus building, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

Ofalsa is a UST conservatory student, and he will have Cloi Daphne Sogano as guest soprano and pianist Mary Anne Espina as collaborating artist.

Recital is open to the public.

“I see millennials who are into classical music as lucky,” said Ofalsa, member of the UST Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble. “Because they were raised in a country with a high level of appreciation for popular music and yet they can still see the challenge of this musical art. It is not easy to look into other forms of musical art and find the beauty in it. In singing opera, I love the level of discipline, the daily practice, the   frustrations and everything before the performance proper. Because without the hard work, the art would be less meaningful and less fulfilling.”

Baguio gig

Meanwhile, American Songbook will have its Baguio City run with tenor Jan Briane Astom, sopranos Mheco Manlangit and Jasmin Salvo, alternating pianists Gabriel Paguirigan and Ricardo Abapo.

Schedule of performances: May 25 at 4 p.m., at the University of the Cordilleras (UC) Theater; May 26 at 6 p.m., University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio Teatro Amianan; and May 27 at 1:30 p.m. (by invitation only), University of Baguio Centennial Hall. The UC and UP concerts are open to the public.

A production of Cultural Arts Event Organizer and Guacamole Productions, with Sizzling Plate and Mother’s Garden, American Songbook will feature such songs as “Embraceable You,” “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “So in Love,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “If I Loved You,” “Maria,” “Tonight,” “What I Did for Love,” “Send in the Clowns, “Defying Gravity,” “Seasons of Love.” —CONTRIBUTED

Call 09209540053.

Read more...