One-of-a-kind classical music concert to be held at MPC
Inspired by the tradition of grand arena-style concerts in Europe, the annual polo season will conclude with a music event dubbed Symphony at the Terrace at the East Terrace and Enrique Zobel Field, Manila Polo Club (MPC) on March 30 at 7 p.m.
The featured artists include Rachelle Gerodias, Bianca Aguila, Princess Ybañez, Nomher Nival, Galaw.co, Byeong-In Park, Arman Ferrer, Abigail Lynn Oliverio, Quorista, Waltzers Ensemble, MPC Polo Riders and Equestrians and Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with Maestro Herminigildo Ranera as the conductor.
“The audience can expect a fabulous concert, which is usually available only in concerts abroad,” music producer Eddie Yap told The STAR in an e-mail interview.
“This concert is special because it is the first open-air concert of classical music and dances in such a grand scale and the composition of the performers and selection of music and dances,” he added.
A classical music aficionado himself, Yap shared that the audience can “expect great admiration and awe for the classical orchestral music, songs and dances, and enhanced interest in this genre of the performing arts. Romantic and sentimental emotions will be evoked by some of the selections in the program.”
The tradition of open-air concerts is popular in Europe during the summer season, Yap noted. But in the Philippines, “this is hardly done here or if ever due to lack of venue and the hot weather.”
“This type of open-air concert of classical music and dances is not usually seen in our country. In fact, this Symphony at the Terrace concert may possibly be a one of a kind. Aficionados of this style of concerts have to go abroad for this or content themselves to vicariously enjoy such by watching videos,” he said. Now, one can witness such style of concert on Thursday.
Some of the compositions that will be played in first part are Gloria All’Egitto, Triumphal March, Anvil Chorus, Flower Duet, among others. The part two will include equestrian-themed setlist.
“I conceptualized my concerts to include action, drama and theater to add meaning to the music and enhance appreciation, especially of opera arias, as there is a beautiful, albeit touching or tragic, story behind the song. It would be like watching excerpts from the opera and through better understanding, bring opera closer to the public as a form of art for entertainment,” Yap explained.
Yap had previously collaborated with the featured artists in the concert. He selected the artists based on their “demonstrated musicality and professionalism.”
“I pushed the envelope and went beyond their comfort zone as I selected songs appropriate to the concept of my concert, although not in their repertoire of the artists. But to their credit, they are professionals who are willing to learn and perform songs although not familiar to them,” he shared.
He recalled, “For instance, over 10 years ago, I got Rachelle to learn and (sing) Meine Lippen (My Lips), a waltzy seductive song from the operetta Giuditta by Franz Lehar. Now, she will brush up and sing this again after many years of hiatus.
“Another is violinist Princess Ybanez. (She will perform) 5th of Beethoven. It is based on the Fifth Symphony of Beethoven but after a brief opening, it transitions to a rock version. This was not in Princess’s repertoire, but she was game. She learned and performed it with aplomb and to great applause in one of my previous concerts. Because the audience liked it so much, I am having her to repeat it as many in this concert were not in the previous one.”
Yap found it quite “challenging” with only two and a half months to conceptualize and produce the concert. It was his “shortest production time,” he said. The lead time for production, according to him, was usually from four to six months.
But thanks to his “generous sponsors,” Yap was able to pull it off. “It takes experience, great zeal and doggedness to get a concert done, especially when shorthanded and crimping on cost to generate a surplus for a charitable cause,” he commented.
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