Three tenors and 200 lovers of Johann Strauss
MANILA, Philippines - The Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines (JSSP) recently presented a classical concert set in the sprawling garden of the resident of Austrian Ambassador Wilhelm Donko and Yan Donko.
Featured tenors were JSSP members George Yang, Roger Chua, and Jack Salud who regaled the guests with well-loved arias from famous operas and familiar semi-classics rendered with élan and professionalism.
The program started with the Drinking Song from Verdi’s La Traviata by the three tenors who were joined by soprano Marie- Anne Dominese, a scholar of the Klasikal Music Foundation chaired by George Yang. She later sang a duet with Yang, the Lippen Schweigen waltz from Lehar’s operetta The Merry Widow, highlighting the mood with a brief waltz.
Each tenor took turns in performing, impressing the audience with the mastery of their craft. Yang also sang with precision Dein ist Mein Ganzes Herz from Lehar’s operetta Das Land des Lachelns, Granada, Standchen by Franz Schubert. Robert Chua’s powerful voice rose and rang stirringly in La Donna e Mobile from Verdi’s Rigoletto in Una Furvita Lagrima from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’ Amore, and Schumann’s Du Bist wie Eine Blume. Jack Salud’s voice was impressively powerful in Les Toreadors from Bizet’s Carmen, Amapola and Il Mio Tesoro Intanto from Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
The trio closed the program with O Sole Mio. Responding to the hearty applause they ended with Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot.
In attendance were about 200 guests composed of members of the diplomatic corps, JSSP members, and musical patrons.
The event was organized by chairperson Virgie Lane and co-chair Marissa Fenton with the support of JSSP president Olga Severino Martel and JSSP chair and Consul of Monaco Fortune Ledesma. Emcee was RJ Ledesma. Closing remarks were given by JSSP vice president and Consul of Gambia Agnes Huibonhoa.
Sponsors of the event were Lexus, Manila represented by its president Danny Isla, ROS Music Center, Lane Group, Mia Cabawatan Lozada of Bloomwoods, Marissa Fenton, JSSP president Olga Severino Martel, Yolli Ayson, Jose Mari Lou and George Yang. Donors were Vicky Abraham, Marilyn Hoese, Elizabeth Kazemi, Shirley Ybanez, Nini Layug, Shelly Lazaro, Isabelita de Ocampo, Lulu Tan Gan and Rosalind Wee.
