Significant music events: ‘FilFest’ and ‘Opusfest’

Two highly significant musical events will feature outstanding artists, Filipino and foreign, most of whom enjoy international stature.

“FilFest,” a celebration of music, had its inaugural gala concert last May 24. On Aug. 16, “Of Czechs and Euros” will feature cellist Renato Lucas and pianist Nena R. Villanueva in a program consisting of Dvorak’s “Silent Woods and Rondo,” Martinu’s “Sonata No. 3 for Cello and Piano” and Grieg’s “Senata for Cello and Piano in A Minor”.

On Sept. 13, “Virtuous” will have pianist Aima Labra Makk playing Sshubert-Busoni’s “Overture in D Major,” Donizetti-Thalberg’s “Andante Finale de Lucia di Lamermoor, Busoni’s “Senatina  Super Carmen “Strauss-Dohnanyi’s “Schatz Waltz” from Ziguenerbaron, Lanner-Takacs’ “Pesther Waltz,” Liszt’s “Soirees de Vienne,” Gounod-Liszt’s “Waltz” from Faust and Mozart-Liszt’s “Reminiscences de Don Juan”.

On Sept. 27, the Clarion Chamber Ensemble concert “If It Ain’t Baroque” will feature David Jerome Johnson, flute and blockflute; Jeffrey Solares, violin; Antoni Josef Inacay, cello; Graham Dwyer, harpsichord. The program follows: Mozart’s “Sonata in D Major” (Church Sonata), Tartini’s “Sonata in G Minor” (Dido Abbandonata), C.P.E. Bach’s “Sonata in D Major” for flute, violin, cello and harpsichord, and J. S. Bach’s Trio Sonata from “The Musical Offering”.

In “Mozart’s Most” concert on Oct. 11, violinist Alfonso Bolipata, pianist Jiovanney Emmanuel Cruz, conductor Gerard Salonga and the Filharmonika will interpret an all-Mozart program.

“Opera Miniscola” on Oct.. 25-26 will star sopranos Rachelle Gerodias and Joy Abalon Tamayo, tenor Lemuel de la Cruz, baritone Ronnie Abarquez, bass Rainier Pagcaliwagan, conductor Josefino “Chino” Toledo and the Metro Manila Community Orchestra in Menotti’s “The Telephone” and Mozart’s “The Impresario”.

Behind the concerts are the FilFest Cultural Foundation and the Friends of the Insular Life Foundation, the latter headed by Vicente Ayllon. Officers of FilFest are Rosario de los Santos, chairman; Vicky F. Zubiri, president; Triccie Sison, vice-president; Bettina Pou, treasurer; Lina Racho, corporate secretary; Denise Mañosa and Marilen Espiritu, trustees.

According to president Vicky F. Zubiri, the FilFest Foundation, of which the artistic director is Jiovanney Emmanuel Cruz and the executive director, his wife Tinky, aims to bring classic music to the South of Manila, i.e., Alabang, and to educate and uplift its school children, orphans and underprivileged through the FilFest programs. FilFest hopes each year to give a scholarship to at least one richly talented child.

Musicians are running out of venues, and the Insular Life Theater in Alabang has been offered by Ayllon. For inquires call Virgie or Caring, tel. 6664095, or Tinky, 0918-9419474.

The Camerata dell’ Arte Foundation is again holding “Opusfest”, the International Piano and Chamber Music Festival, from July 27 to Aug. 10. The formidable “Opusfest” faculty members and artists are leading international music personalities, both foreign and Filipino.

They are violin virtuoso Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, pianist Roberta Rust (USA), cellist Nigel Boehm (Canada), pianist Jacques Despres (Canada), Jiovanney Emmanuel Cruz, our most internationally awarded pianist; pianist Gila Goldstein (Israel), pianist Milton Ruben Laufer (Cuba-Puerto Rico), leading cellist Renato Lucas, pianist Yuan Sheng (China), pianist Yameng Huang (China), violinist Michael Sutten (USA), and pianist Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy (Germany).

The “Opusfest”, a 12-day intensive music camp in Manila, is open to all pianists, violinists and cellists of all nationalities. Master classes will be conducted by the aforementioned eminent artists and pedagogues; performance classes, lessons, workshops and seminars will be conducted by the entire faculty.

Concerts will be at the Philamlife Theater which is being offered by Philam Life president Jose L. Cuisia Jr. Celebrated pianist Cruz is again the major force behind “Opusfest.”