Arthur, Rachelle enthrall/FEU, PLDT-Smart, Departures

Greeted with resounding applause the moment international tenor Arthur Espiritu appeared onstage, he quickly fulfilled the high expectations with two songs by Paolo Tosti. This Italian composer does not equal the stature of Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini, but his delightfully melodious songs instantly magnetized the listeners.

Espiritu, the picture of poise, assurance, confidence and charm, demonstrated a refined technique, his voice ringing and resonant, his phrasing meticulous, his clear diction proving his ease in Italian.

His exquisite legatos were to characterize the arias — Mozart’s un aura amorosa. (A breeze of love) from Cossi Fan Tutte, and Rossini’s Cessa di pieu resistere from “The Barber of Seville”. With marvelous, stylistic nuances, his tones gained in sonority and resonance as the concert progressed. The top notes, admirably and lengthily sustained, became nearly as powerful in timber as those of a dramatic tenor in the arias, among them Ah! Leve toi, soleil (Arise, fair sun) from Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet”.

Soprano Rachelle Gerodias took her turn in the spotlight, classifying herself as a coloratura in Una voce poco fa from Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” with its diverse, contrasting dynamics and rhythms, its rapid scales and arpeggios, as also in De Leon’s song of the crazed Sisa with its trills, runs and florid passages.

Then Gerodias would turn into a spinto soprano in the powerful, ringing end notes of   Ah! Je veux vivre! (The tender dream of youth) from Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet”, and into a lyric soprano for the rest of the selections.

Visually and vocally, Espiritu and Gerodias made an ideal pair. The tenor is trim and handsome; the soprano, slender and pretty. Further, the height of each suited the other.

The tenor’s voice melded smoothly with that of the soprano in the pianissimos and fortissimos, the latter sung with resplendent force, the former with sensitive expression, and always with consistent precision and rapport.

In Coro elisir from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’ amore (Elixir of Love), the duo emoted with dramatic persuasiveness. Espiritu as the young peasant Nemorino drinks a potion from a quack who makes him believe the wine will bring the wealthy Adina to his feet. Nemorino becomes tipsy, swaying unsteadily as Adina watches him bewildered.

Tenor and soprano re-enacted the amusing scene brilliantly the while singing superbly.

The other duets were Un di felice (Rapturous moment) from Verdi’s La Traviata (for some reason the song was shortened), and Anak Dalita  by Santiago, Espiritu rendering this with a score. Earlier, he sang Abelardo’s Pakiusap and the Italian Core Ingrato (Ungrateful heart), each in its fashion infused with sensuous, passionate appeal.

Throughout the concerto, every number — in Italian, French, Tagalog or Spanish — at Philamlife’s full auditorium was followed by tumultuous ovation and loud clamor. For an encore, Espiritu sang the popular “Granada” with immense gusto, flair and a touch of Latin arrogance. Capping the evening was the “Drinking Song” from Verdi’s La Traviata, the incomparable duo leaving the audience totally enthralled once more.

Pianist Najib Ismail, the excellent assisting artist, might be called the third singer for adding — or often setting — the ambiance for each number.

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A lecture series will be held in memory of Dr. Nicanor Reyes, founder of the FEU which, by 1940, had the largest number of foreign students. Reyes was the first person and the first Filipino to graduate with a Ph.D. in Accountancy from Columbia U.

Opening remarks by Dr. Isagani R. Cruz, FEU consultant, and a talk on the Supreme Court by Maritess Vitug, Newsbreak editor-in-chief, will be followed by closing remarks by Dr. Lydia B. Echauz, FEU president. The audience will be headed by FEU board chairman Dr. Lourdes R. Montinola, daughter of Dr. Nicanor Reyes.

The non-stock, non-profit PLDT-SMART Foundation sponsored a performance by the students of the Regional Pilot School for the Arts, and the formal opening of the “Music Room” in San Isidro, Angono, Rizal. The school was a beneficiary of the PSF concert attended by international artists Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Jojo.

Georges-Gaston Feydeau, outgoing press counselor (formerly counselor for cultural affairs) of the French Embassy, will be leaving at the end of August. He will be honored with a farewell lunch by the Alliance Francaise.

Ben Suzuki of the Japan Foundation leaves for a new assignment on Sept. 10.