A homecoming concert for Abdul Candao

Abdul Candao, one of the most talented tenors the country has produced, returns to the Philippines with a homecoming concert at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex of the University of Santo Tomas Campus in España, Manila on Friday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m. Titled Liederabend or An Evening of Song, the show also features pianist Najib Ismail as collaborating artist. The show is a presentation of the UST Conservatory of Music Alumni Association. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Association’s scholarship program for poor but deserving students.

Candao was born in Davao. He was first prize winner in the National Music Competition for Young Artists in 1982. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from UST under the late Prof. Kathy Sternberg. He was a scholar of his teacher Prof. Irma Potenciano, the UST Alumni Association and the Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines. While at UST, he was a member of the Kayumangging Kaligatan, a six-member vocal ensemble directed by National Artist Prof. Ernani Cuenco.

He left for Europe for further training in 1991. While there, he attended the Opera School of the Vienna Conservatory of Music on a scholarship grant from the Cultural Center of the Philippines Young Artist Fund. He studied under Waldemar Kmentt and Walter Berry. He also studied under Filipino masters Lilia Reyes in Rome and Otoniel Gonzaga in Vienna. Among his first professional engagements in Europe were as Almaviva in Barber of Seville and the title role in the modern opera Jush Tush, which was also recorded.

Abdul obtained his diploma in 1995. He has since performed in numerous operas all over Europe and in Manila. Among the roles he did were Tony in West Side Story, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte, Sou-Choung in Land of Smiles, Governor in Candide, Faust in Faust, Alfred in Die Fledermaus and Rinuccio in Giannni Schichi. He also spent three years with the musical Elisabeth in Vienna after attending the Conservatory and has given concerts in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, the UK and in the Philippines.

Candao brings back to his country all the expertise and experience he gained after many years of studies and performances in Europe. This will be his treat for those who will attend his homecoming concert for which he has prepared a very special program that blends his Filipino roots and some of the best the classical composers of Europe have to offer. Some of the numbers he is set to do with Ismail are Ridente la calma and In qual fiero... Tradito from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, excerpts from Schubert’s Die schone Mullerin that includes Das Wandern, Wohin? Halt! and others, Quele trouble... Salut demeure from Gounod’s Faust, Ernani Cuenco’s Nahan, Aking Inay, Balikbayan and Sampaguita, Lucio San Pedro’s Sampatak Na Hamog and Sa Ugoy ng Duyan plus many others.

Tickets to Liederabend are priced at P500 and P300 and are available at the UST Conservatory of Music office. Treat yourselves to this one and discover two artists the country can be truly proud of.

Speaking of discoveries, the new talent show Search for a Star will field its first batch of singing hopefuls in its inaugural presentation on Saturday over GMA 7 at 6 p.m. Emceed by Regine Velasquez, the show is a co-production of Viva Television and the GMA Network, Inc. At stake for the most talented contestant in the grand finals which will be held next year is P1-M in cash and a contract with the Viva Entertainment Group. Getting signed to Viva means there is the possibility of a career in recording, concerts, films and television for the winner.

The Philippines is a land where talented singers abound. All they need is a chance to shine. Talent competitions offer that opportunity. Nora Aunor was a product of the talent show Tawag ng Tanghalan. Regine herself started out in Bagong Kampeon. Classical singer Abdul Candao found the beginning of his career in NAMCYA. Search for a Star could be your chance. Watch out for audition announcements in newspapers like The Philippine Star and over Channel 7. A million pesos and a successful singing career might just be in your future.