Cebuana WCOPA champion Holds 'KLASIK!' concert

CEBU, Philippines - She’s a petite 22-year-old who has had no formal vocal training, but hear her belt out Edith Piaf’s   “La Vie En Rose” and you’d think you’re listening to a veteran opera performer. She is Izarzuri Vidal, or Zari to family and friends, the very first Filipina to ever win in the Opera Singing Category-Junior Division of the 13th World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California held July 2009, where she beat competitors from 40 other countries with her winning opera piece “Nessun Dorma.” 

Quite a feat, but don’t wonder if the prestigious triumph from no less than a Cebuana wasn’t given the media mileage and public recognition it deserved, as the music genre of opera hasn’t caught mainstream fancy yet. Which is why it’s about time that fans of opera, as well as lovers of other kinds of music, get the chance to hear the singing dynamo perform live in a charity concert billed “Klasik! A Celebration of Life and Rhythm,” to be held May 21, 7:30 pm at the Teatro Casino of Waterfront Hotel and Casino Lahug. 

Produced by Marissa Lumayno’s Cupid Productions and directed by Roger Suycano, the concert promises a showcase of Bisaya, Pinoy and international opera classics.

Izarzuri, which means “White Star”, got her name from a godmother. The songstress is the second daughter of well-known Cebuano artist Mar Vidal, whose immense pride of her talent and achievement was evident with his lengthy stories of Zari impressing foreigner friends and strangers once she starts singing. 

When Zari was conceived, her mom would let her listen to songs by placing headphones on her tummy. As early as eight months after birth, she already started humming tunes and when she already knew how to sing, “If We Hold On Together” was the very first piece she interpreted. At age 4, Zari began to idolize the King of Pop Michael Jackson and the Spice Girls. Pop songs were her favorite pieces up until she turned 16 when she would hear her dad listening to classical music while painting. And thus began her love affair with opera selections.

She learned to sing opera songs in Spanish, Italian, and French versions through watching videos of Sarah Brightman, as well as taking influence from Charlotte Church, Luciano Pavarotti and Josh Groban.

Supporting Zari in the “Klasik!” concert are local talents including dramatic tenor Zenith Rivera, soprano Rhea May Sadaya, Cherish Pearl Cartalaba and Sam Costanilla, with the special participation of Mayor Michael Rama who will perform a solo plus a duet with the show’s star.

Cartalaba, 17, has been winning in a number of singing competitions. To name a few, she was champion in the CESAFI Vocal Solo Competition-High School Division, champion in one of the previous Cupid Amateur Hour singing contests, grand winner in the DYRB Kaplag sa Bitoon Grand Finals in 2009, 1st prize in both the Music and Motion 7 Singing Competition, Negros Navigation Ka-Rock-oke Challenge winner, champion in the JPIA Singing Idol Competition and in the Teen Duet Competition. 

On her part, Sadaya has been soloist of the Sacred Heart Parish Choir since 1998. In 2004, she grabbed the grand prize in the Sounds of the Human World Songwriting Competition in Taipei, Taiwan by besting 120 other entries from 20 participating countries. She joined the same songwriting contest again in 2006 and won the 3rd prize, apart from being chosen as one of the best performers. 

A stage actor and singer, Rivera has won as best singer in the Sounds of the Human World International Song Festival held in Taipei, Taiwan; while Costanilla hosts a weekly entertainment show titled “Sam Enchanted Evening” at INTV/CCTN Channel 47 where he plays the piano and sings immortal love songs. 

Tickets for “Klasik!” are priced at P250 and P500. For inquiries, contact Mariz at 512-6070 or 0928-521-3307. Proceeds will be for the benefit of the Franciscan Friars, Cebu City Street Children Foundation and Badjao Kids.