The elixir of love and service

MANILA, Philippines — Opera productions are a rarity in the Philippines. The staggering cost of mounting one presents a major challenge for any producer or director. Add to that the complex process of putting together all the elements of an opera – full orchestral music, cast of hundreds, elaborate costumes and sets, plus the complicated production and technical requirements – and it could be a daunting experience for anyone.

But not for Nedy Tantoco who has produced several operas at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the past. She is a classical music and opera aficionado who does not allow challenges to get in the way when she sets her mind to it. “My love for opera developed during my frequent trips to New York with my parents where I watched operas in the Metropolitan Opera. My father, who loves opera, would buy tickets for the whole season so I had plenty of opportunity to watch,” she shares.

On Oct. 7 and 8 this year, Tantoco, a trustee of the CCP, president of the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) and president of Rustan’s Group of Companies, will once again give local opera lovers a chance to see one, Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love), at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

The production, which will be presented in the country for the first time, will commemorate three milestones – PIA’s 55th anniversary, Rustan’s 65th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Italian diplomatic relations.

This is the reason why Tantoco decided to put together an international group of artists for the production. This includes Vincenzo Grisostomi, a noted Italian opera director, musicologist and journalist who has worked with Luchino Visconti, Franco Zeffirelli and Gian Carlo Menotti, who will direct the opera. He will be assisted by His Highness Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, Ambassador of the Royal Household of Cambodia, who has been living in Rome and has been artistic consultant of Grisostomi in staging many operas, mainly in Turkey and Italy such as Tosca, La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madame Butterfly as well as various classical music and opera performances and concerts in Europe.

Other members of the artistic team are Ruggero Barbieri, former music director and conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, who will be music director and conductor for the opera. Another Italian, lighting designer Giovanni Pirandello, will design the lighting for the production. Mio Infante, a noted Filipino production designer, will plan and execute the original set design by Italian scenic designer Maurizio Varamo. The costumes will be constructed by Bonsai Cielo from the original designs by Italian designer Otello Camponeschi. Doing the choreography for the production is Anatoly Panasyukov, ballet master of the Philippine Ballet Theater.

Asked why she chose to present L’Elisir d’Amore instead of more popular operas like La Boheme or La Traviata, Tantoco replies, “Casual meetings with Raul (Sunico) and Nes (Jardin) led me to L’Elisir d’ Amore. We were choosing between two operas: La Boheme, which is very popular among Filipinos but has been frequently produced, and L’Elisir d’ Amore which is a comic opera and never performed in the CCP nor anywhere in the Philippines. I was enchanted by its music and comedy rather than a tragic opera which ends in death of the main character.”

L’Elisir d’Amore is a light-hearted love triangle story set in a 19th century Italian village. Its central characters are Adina, a beautiful and wealthy landowner, and Nemorino, a simple peasant who is secretly in love with Adina. He uses the “love potion” (elixir of love) given by the con artist/vendor Dulcamara to win the love of Adina from her fiancé Belcore, an army sergeant.

Donizetti wrote the music in six weeks with the Italian libretto by Felice Romani based on Eugene Scribe’s libretto for Daniel Auber’s Le Philtre. The opera had its world premiere in Milan on May 12, 1832. Today it is one of Donizetti’s most performed operas and is well known for its widely popular tenor aria “Una furtiva lagrima.”

The Philippine premiere of L’Elisir d’Amore will feature an impressive international cast.

Elena Monti, an outstanding Italian soprano who performed in a solo recital at the CCP in May 2016, will tackle the role of Adina. The role of Nemorino will be played by noted Costa Rican tenor David Astorga. Dulcamara will be portrayed by Italian bass/baritone Francesco Vultaggio while the role of Belcore will be played by Korean baritone Byeong-in Park.

In a cameo role as special guest artist in the role of Gianetta, Adina’s friend, is leading Filipino soprano Rachelle Gerodias.

Also featured in the production are some of the country’s leading artists, namely, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Coro Tomasino under the direction of Ronan Ferrer and the Philippine Ballet Theater. Executive producers for L’Elisir d’Amore are former CCP presidents Nestor Jardin and Raul Sunico.

Tantoco is obviously very excited about the whole project, which will be the biggest one she’s ever produced in partnership with the CCP, PIA and Rustan’s Group. Proceeds of the benefit shows will go towards the construction of the San Pablo Apostol church in Tondo, Manila.

“My affinity for raising funds for a cause also brought me closer to the opera. To produce an opera in the Philippines is also an opportunity to raise funds,” Tantoco says. “I really look forward to presenting L’Elisir d’Amore because I am so confident that the Filipinos will love it.”

L’Elisir d’ Amore goes on stage at the CCP Main Theater on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. Call the CCP Box Office 832-1125 or Ticketworld 891-9999.