MANILA, Philippines - The San Agustin International Music Festival is presenting Beethoven’s well-loved Ninth Symphony (Ode to Joy) on Nov. 27 featuring a powerhouse cast of foreign and local classical artists at the San Agustin Church, the country’s oldest church and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Now celebrating its 11th edition, guests will be treated to the majestic sound of the 18th-century pipe organ, the country’s biggest Fil-Spanish baroque organ, which was restored in 1998 and premiered in the inaugural music fest a year later.
Taking center stage for the first half of the concert are Spanish lady organist Ana Aguado Rojo and Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra principal clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana.
Featured artists for the performance of the Beethoven masterpiece are the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under Maestro Ruggero Barbier, soprano Rachelle Gerodias, New York-based Filipino baritone Andrew Fernando, Italian tenor Gianluca Pasolini and Italian alto Simona Forni, and the Philippine Madrigal Singers joined by Madz et. al. Choirs will include Coro de Sta. Cecilia, Coro Animo, College of the Immaculate Conception Chorale and the Maryknoll Sanctuary Choir.
The San Agustin International Music Festival is supported by the Embassy of Spain, Agencia Española Cooperación Internaciónal para el Desarollo, Instituto Cervantes, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Italian Embassy, DZFE 98.7, Traders Hotel, Philippine-Italian Association, L’Incontro Ristorante Italiano, Royal Dutch Airlines-KLM, the Department of Tourism, and the Friends of San Agustín Museum.
The Nov. 27 concert starts at 8 p.m. For details, call San Agustin Museum at 527-4060 to 61.