Italian Ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele and Cultural Center of the Philippines president Nestor Jardin have collaborated to present noted Italian composer, pianist and conductor Luciano Bellini weaving the baton for the third concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s silver anniversary season titled “Scenes from Italy.” Joining the PPO at the performance as guest artists are Filipino flutists Enrique Barcelo and John Raymond Sarreal.
Set for Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. in the CCP’s Main Theater, Italy is the latest country to take the stage in the series of PPO concerts billed as “Transymphonia: The World in Concert,” which is an immersion in the music of various countries that will guide concertgoers around the globe in one grand “transymphony” spread over the eight-month season.
Bellini will conduct an exciting program of music which includes Rendine’s Nocturne for Flute and Strings, Rossini’s Overture to Semiramide; Mercadante’s Concerto in E minor for Flute and Orchestra; Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor; and Respighi’s Fountains of Rome.
In 1998, Bellini conducted his chamber opera Le avventure di Pulcinella e Karagoz at the National Academy of St. Cecilia in Rome, and in 1999, his opera ballet Canto General was performed at the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto. In collaboration with the producer and choreographer Anna Cuocolo, Bellini has been composing since 1991 various pieces of musical theatre and dance- and-music, which had a large success of audience and criticism both in Europe and the United States. He also founded Duo Bellini with his son Luca, and they have performed together in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the country’s leading orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Scenes from Italy” is a benefit concert for the PPO Instrument Maintenance Program, which is being instituted for the first time in its history. Since many of the instruments, as in the case of the violins, are owned by the musicians themselves, the members usually spend for the repair and maintenance of their instruments, which is not the usual practice in other national orchestras all over the world.
Ticket prices: P1,000/P800/P500/P350/P200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. Subscription packages are also available for four shows. For inquiries and subscriptions, call the CCP Marketing Department (832-1125 loc. 1806) or the CCP Box Office (832-3704) or Ticketworld at National Bookstore (891-9999).