MANILA, Philippines - In the midst of so many foreign pop acts and musical productions from Broadway and the West End, one small theatrical effort made waves four years ago. It was a musical revue featuring traditional and contemporary Filipino songs, sung not by legends of Classical singing, but by a troupe of dedicated artists. The show was Philippine Opera Company’s Ang Bagong Harana.
In celebration of its 15th anniversary, Philippine Opera Company (POC) is bringing back Ang Bagong Harana this October. The show is a fitting way to celebrate POC’s pearl anniversary because it is one of POC’s most successful shows and it promotes how our heritage is our country’s best asset. Ang Bagong Harana also reminds us to put our country’s future first especially in the coming election.
Featuring everything from children’s songs to tribal chants, from planting songs to courtship ditties, from stirring kundiman to the delightful showstoppers by Sylvia la Torre, Ang Bagong Harana will showcase the best of all the Filipino composers from different music genres: Nicanor Abelardo, Ryan Cayabyab, Willy Cruz, Francisco Santiago, Antonio Molina, Resti Umali, George Canseco, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, Jose Estrella, Constancio De Guzman and Felipe de Leon, to name a few.
Ang Bagong Harana features Karla Gutierrez, Cris Go, Lorraine Lisen, Melissa Camba, KL Dizon, Cristiani Rebada, Michael Odoemene, Noel Rayos, Lawrence Jatayna, and Nazer Salcedo with the special participation of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.
It is directed by Floy Quintos with music arrangements by four of the country’s most awarded arrangers: Von de Guzman, Jessie Lasaten, Jesse Lucas and Paulo Zarate.
Ang Bagong Harana will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza on Oct. 17 and 24, 8 p.m., and Oct.18, 23 and 25, 3 p.m.
For tickets, call Philippine Opera Company at 822-9609 and 0917-527-2880, TicketWorld at 891-9999, or visit Philippine Opera Company on Facebook.