Rizal play staged in Sydney / French search for Phl talents / Piano prodigy, 11, to perform

The following announcement came from the Philippine Community theater in Sydney, Australia, the Fine Artists Collaboration.

In the spirit of “One Community, One Hero, One Celebration” and to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of National Hero, Jose P. Rizal, director Armando Reyes once again re-staged in Sydney Leonor Orosa Goquingco’s theatre masterpiece “Her Son, Jose Rizal”.

With the inspiration and guidance of Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, the support of the Philippine Community Council of NSW, the Filipino community and countless volunteers, Fine Artists Collaboration (FAC) brought back to life on the stage of Parramatta Town Hall last November 17 and 18 the events that shaped Filipino history. In lavish period costumes, the cast stepped back in time to re-enact Rizal’s special moments.

Fine Artists Collaboration is a community theatre group composed of professional Filipino-Australian artists dripping with enthusiasm and consumed by their passion for the theatre. It was no mean feat to turn the director’s vision into a reality. For the cast and production crew, it has been a journey of passion, of artistic expression and of nationalistic pride to preserve the legacy of Rizal and to ultimately showcase to our Australian friends and to the Filipino community our heritage.

To scout and gather anew talents actors, musicians, costume and set designers on a voluntary basis was arduous. The hunt for props, sets and costumes stretched beyond their comfort zones to achieve the almost impossible.

The cast from last year was re-grouped to include a new lineup of seasoned actors and performers, and some of the old cast members forming a fresh breed stepping into the past to relive a piece of history.

Two veterans of Repertory Philippines joined the production team: Isabel Delgado who played the role of Doña Teodora and Erwin Lovero, an expert in costuming and design, came to lend their professionalism and to do justice to author Leonor Orosa Goquingco’s masterpiece.

The cast included: Jemwel Danao as Rizal, Tom Baena as Rizal in the cell, Gerard Jalando-on-Louis as Pepe, Kate Andres and Isabel Delgado as Doña Teodora, Marianne Cuasay as Soledad, Moses Gonzales as Father Lopez, Danny Rosales as Governor General Izquierdo, Joselito Tagalog as the Mayor, Rochelle Montua and Arabella Rivera as the young Soledad and Joshua Pangilinan and Milan Velasco as Rizal’s playmates. The fiesta scene was adorned with familiar faces in the community.

The late author, Leonor Orosa Goquingco, was named in 1976 National Artist for Dance.

Leonor Orosa and her family were fervent Rizalists. She grew up in a home where the Rizal name was held in highest esteem.

“Her Son, Jose Rizal” is a striking, brilliant tale and portrayal of a man whom we’ve come to know as our national hero. The play highlights the conflict between the oppressors and the oppressed. In this play, it is the colonizing and enslaving Spaniards versus the patriotic and noble Rizal family.

When the curtains rose, it was the culmination of months of laborious rehearsals and sleepless nights of planning; a testimony that in oneness, we can see our dreams fulfilled.

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The Embassy of France and the Alliance Francaise are launching a call to voice students and choral groups for an advanced training and performance project with French experts, in collaboration with the Conservatory of Paris, CCP, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Philippine Choirs Directors Association.

French experts have long recognized the Philippines’ rich and vibrant music scene, and the natural talent and inherent potential of Filipino singers to excel in the demanding discipline of opera.

These experts are coming again in early 2012 for another series of master classes, culminating in a performance of “Gloria” by Francis Poulenc. “Gloria”, short for “Gloria in excelsis deo” is Poulenc’s widely acclaimed interpretation of this beloved Christian hymn.

Being organized is a week-long master class on vocal techniques and opera arias with Florence Guignolet and Stéphane Werchowski at the end of April 2012. Ms. Guignolet and Mr. Werchowski are from the Conservatoire de Paris and previously taught a successful master class in the UP last February 2011.

The renowned conductor Michael Cousteau will also rehearse the PPO and Filipino choirs for Gloria.

The one-night “Gloria”, in which Cousteau will lead the PPO, students of the master class, and Filipino choirs, is slated on April 28, 2012 at the CCP.

In this regard, the search is for: advanced voice students interested in participating in the master class in April 2012;

Choirs interested in performing Gloria on April 28, 2012 at the CCP;

One Master of Choirs to organize the rehearsals before Cousteau’s arrival.

Deadline for applications is on December 15, 2011. Check the French Embassy website at:http://www.ambafrance-ph.org/spip.php?article1874.

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Prodigy Michael Romano, 11, will give a piano recital at the Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman, on Nov. 26, 5 p.m. He will play works by Chopin, Debussy, Haydn, Beethoven, capped by Haydn’s Concerto in D Major with his only sister Miracle on the second piano.

Michael played the piano by ear at two; at four, his formal lesson started with Miracle, a former NAMCYA winner; within four years, he learned to sight read and play his first concerto with her.

Michael is one of three musical, totally home-trained children of Didi and Marietta Romano of Dipolog City.

For inquiries, call (02)7484152 or 0906-5104270.