The Barber comes to the Philippines

CEBU, Philippines - In celebration of three milestones—the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Italy, the 60th anniversary of Rustan’s – the all-time supporter of Italian culture and goods, and the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Italian Association (PIA)—a new production of The Barber of Seville was recently staged in Manila.

Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari and PIA President Nedy Tantoco—whose father, Bienvenido Tantoco, was a former Philippine Ambassador to Italy, and who, together with wife Gliceria founded the country’s leading luxury department store—served as the personifications of the two countries’ friendly relations. Irene Martel Francisco, Publisher of the Philippine Tatler, was the event co-chairperson, leading its active working committee.

Considered as the greatest opera buffa or comic opera of all time, The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini was first shown at the Teatro Argentina in Rome in 1816. It tells the familiar story of love and all the high jinks that go into the pursuit of this heady and passionate emotion. Count Almaviva falls for the beautiful Rosina, but old Doctor Bartolo, the young woman’s guardian, is intent on having her for his own. The Count asks Figaro, the town barber, to help him win Rosina’s heart, and the rest of the opera unfolds in twists of mayhem.

A cast of both Filipino and Italian artists came together on the main stage of the Cultural Center of the Philippines: Filipino tenor Andrew Espiritu, whose debut included performances of Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte at the Teatro  Scala in Milan and Don Quixote at the Theatre Royal du Versailles in France, was Count Almaviva.

Award-winning Filipino soprano Rachelle Gerodias, who has collaborated with celebrated artists such as Peter Schmidle of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and opera diva Merella Freni, played Rosina.

Renowned Italian baritone Mario Cassi, who has played in capital cities around the world, in roles as varied as Don Gregorio in Tutti and Ormundo in L’Inganno Felice, took the title role of Figaro, the barber.

Also in the production were U.S.-based international Filipino baritone Andrew Fernando, a one-time winner of Toti Dal Monte, as Don Bartolo and baritone Marco Fillipo Romano, who is a champion many times over in competitions such as G. Pacini and Franco Alfano, as Don Basilio

Baritone Noel Azcona as Fiorello, baritone Belford King Mabunga as the police officer, and mezza soprano Clarissa Ocampo as Berta, completed the cast.

The Philippine Philharmonic orchestra provided the music, while the University of Santo Tomas Singers played the chorus.

The opera was under the masterful direction of Antonio Petris, the multi-tasking theater enthusiast who once took on Aida as its director, set designer, and costume designer, while its guest conductor was Ruggero Barbieri, who was the former Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Barber of Seville supported the Philippine Italian Association Endowment Fund and its beneficiaries, the Sister Handmaids of Charity, the Servants of Charity and the Canossian Sons of Charity. (FREEMAN)