Sopranos in ‘contest’: Good, better, best / M. Philharmonic at DV!

Comparisons, it is said, are odious. Yet, in a joint performance at the Philamlife theater the other evening of sopranos Thea Tadiar, Rachelle Gerodias and Lilac Caña, comparisons were inevitable although each singer, according to the printed program, has impressive credentials to prove solid vocal training and experience behind her.

Tadiar possesses a firm, full-bodied, voice, and she reaches and sustains the high notes with ease. Being the youngest of the sopranos, she is still refining and deve-loping her technique and enriching her renditions.

With her enviable technique, Gerodias manipulates her voice through an astonishing control of dynamics that turns pianissimos into fortissimos, then again to pianissimos. She infuses her interpretations with the subtlest, most artistic nuances. It was sheer pleasure listening to her ravishing, vibrant voice, her impeccable articulation and profoundly moving expressiveness.

Canada-based Caña has a powerful, soaring voice that could belong to a dramatic soprano. Her imposing, imperious, commanding presence enhances her renditions which are characterized by ardor and intensity.

Solo arias were from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (Tadiar), from Gounod’s Romeo et Juilliette (Gerodias), from Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio (Caña). Highlights were the exquisite Caña-Gerodias duet Barcarolle from Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffman, and the Caña-Gerodias-Tadiar trio from Puccini’s Boheme. In both selections, the choreographed movements conceptualized by stage director Manolet Garcia added considerable visual pleasure to the auditory.

Pianist Lourdes Gregorio was excellent as assisting artist.

The handicapped Eileen Fernandez was clearly not on the same performance level as the three sopranos. Nevertheless, she enchanted the audience with her sweet voice, inherent musicality and a touching eloquence that moved some listeners to tears. As one of the beneficiaries of Sinag Tala, Eileen implied what motivates its executive director Martin E. Lopez to continue his noble and edifying enterprise.

Giving contrast and variety to the concert was the Athenaeum String Quartet consisting of Chona Noble on first violin, Ferizal Midoro on second violin, Edna Marcil Martinez on viola and Celia Narzo on cello. Their rendition of the Intermezzo from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana conveyed polish and refinement; the Buencamino Suite 2 (first movement), which was rather wanting in élan and brio, induced somnolence. The ensemble incidentally, is the country’s only all-female string quartet.

An exotic native vitality was injected by the Musikalinangan Philippine Gong and Bamboo Ensemble consisting of Grace Bugayong, Gladys Bugayong Balan, Diane Ikalina and Ma. Lourdes Matute of the UP College of Music.

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Thus far, I have received three invitations to "The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra at the Park" from the Dasmariñas Village Board of Governors. Friday’s first-ever concert at Campanilla Park will be 6:30 p.m. How the organizers must have labored far into the night to put the concert together!

The genteel Menchu A. Concepcion, crossing friendly barriers from North Forbes, is perhaps as excited as the governors about the forthcoming musical event, her son Raul Anthony ("Ton") being the chairman of community affairs in Dasmariñas Village.

Surprisingly, the program-invitation makes no mention of the orchestra conductor, and in levity, shall I therefore presume that the governors themselves will each take his/her turn wielding the baton – beating time to the music while drawing expressive nuances from the instrumentalists?

At any rate, the program of classic music and light favorites read thusly: Tribute to Henry Mancini. La Boda de Luis Alonzo. Granada. Carmen Suite. Broadway Tonight. Phantom of the Opera. Memory. West Side Story. Overture on Philippine Folksongs. Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal. Ilocandia Suite (solo for flute featuring Tony Maigue). Czardas (solo for violin featuring Benjie Bautista). Superman. Mission Impossible.

Billy Joel Medley. Victory. Do the Hustle. Syncopated Clock. That’s the Way I Like It. Voices of Spring. Somewhere Out There.

The exciting selections should fascinate and entertain listeners, and the least D.V. residents can do is attend the concert both in gratitude and gratification. As further inducement and enticement, the generous board assures the audience not only of free admission but also of free wine and refreshments.