MPO Opus 20 marries past & present, young & old

MANILA, Philippines — As someone who grew up head-banging to rock songs and dancing to pop hits, it was a tad intimidating to be seated inside the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Sept. 1, watching the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) celebrate its 20th anniversary in concert.

Hearing classical music dominate the full-packed venue in melodic accompaniments of  violins, cellos, trumpets, piano… I found myself in a territory wholly unfamiliar to me — or so I thought. The concert, entitled MPO Opus 20: Trailblazing Music Excellence, traced MPO’s roots in the first half, playing classical compositions Symphony No. 5, Egmont Overture by Ludwig Van Beethoven and Rhapsody In Blue by George Gershwin, the latter being accompanied in piano by the show’s very first guest performer, piano virtuouso Dr. Raul Sunico.

All of MPO’s 100-member orchestra, led by founder Maestro Rodel Colmenar, transported the audience, as promised that night to heights of music excellence. I was inevitably drawn in at the sight and sound of renowned artists coming together sharing their art.

When the second half of the program rolled in, the MPO went from classical music to pop and rock classics real quick! The segment opened with a clever mash up of Richard Strauss’ Sprach Zarathustra and The Knack’s My Sharona, reminiscent of MPO’s ground-breaking Guess Philharmonic In Jeans history. The screens showed snippets of the seven-year milestone in MPO’s musical journey, best remembered for starting a “revolution” of sorts in bringing classical music to the masses.

I found myself dancing and clapping along, not unlike how I do when listening to my favorite pop songs. When Maestro Colmenar introduced the orchestra’s medley of iconic band Eraserheads’ greatest hits Alapaap, Ang Huling El Bimbo and Magasin, everyone let out an excited shriek, especially after lead vocalist Ely Buendia was acknowledged to be among the audience that night.

Being Resort’s World Manila’s resident orchestra, the MPO took the time to acknowledge musical theater at its finest with the kids of Annie: The Musical  joining them onstage to perform It’s the Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow before wowing the audience with an entertaining medley of Ariana Grande’s hits. It took every ounce of self-control in me not to just jump up from my seat and join the girls in belting to Break Free!

Also one of the well-applauded portions was the UST Singers’ portion paying tribute to award-winning composer George Canseco classic hits Dito Ba, Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan, Paano Ba Ang Mangarap and Ngayon.

The night’s highlight was the much-awaited performance by Lani Misalucha on the MPO 20th anniversary stage. Proving herself to be world-class every step of the way, the Asia’s Nightingale sashayed to the center in a white gown after Gordon Goodwin’s Count Bubba number of the MPO’s brass section segueing with her rendition of Orange Colored Sky by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein. She stunned and wowed the audience at once. Her succeeding songs equally lived up to the expectations — Nella Fantasia by Ennio Morricone, Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin by Jimmy Borja, and her very own latest single Timeless, which she proudly dedicated to her four grandchildren.

The show-stopper was the on stage collaboration between MPO, Lani and the UST Singers in the medley of classic songs by the Queen, arguably the greatest rock band of all time. This was easily my favorite part of the night. The songs  I Want to Break Free, Radio Ga Ga, Love of My Life, Somebody to Love, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are the Champion had the crowd singing and humming, and happily tapping their feet, along with the music. And as if the night will never end, Lani capped her night’s performance with Light of A Million Mornings and Mambo from The West Side Story earning a well-deserved standing ovation. The encore number was the earliest Christmas greeting the audience received as MPO played a medley of Filipino traditional Christmas songs.

Taking it all in, MPO Opus 20 was truly a spectacle. Indeed, MPO has managed to distinguish itself by being a trailblazer in the local music industry. We can’t wait for the next 20 years of MPO and witness how their musical journey will still unfold as each of them allow their passion to direct their musical path.