Tenor Arthur Espiritu in Mozart's Don Giovanni. Comfortable in Rossini's danger spots. A full-length Barber of Seville by Rossini opens at the CCP Friday night until Saturday with opera lovers focused on the Count Almaviva of Arthur Espiritu who is the first Filipino tenor to sing at La Scala di Milan.
With soprano Rachelle Gerodias as Rosina, Barber of Seville is the first comic opera seen at the CCP after more than a decade. The less-heralded Don Giovanni by Mozart staged at the CCP in the mid-90s would have been a good introduction to the genre. But as it turned out, Don Giovanni had some opera lovers walking out even before the opera’s last arias were heard.
All eyes of course will also be on the PPO ex-music director, Ruggero Barbieri who figured in an earlier Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the CCP, followed by Don Giovanni (1999) and Il Trovatore in Singapore (2001)
Espiritu in La Scala's production of Cosi fan tutteInspired by the success of his first homecoming concert last August, Switzerland-based Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu will be home before Christmas for a special engagement at the Philamlife Theater with soprano Rachelle Gerodias and the Manila Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 14.
This will be his first Christmas season engagement in the Philippines since he made it in the international circuit, including a stint at the renowned La Scala in Milan.
Espiritu’s wish is to spend Christmas here because to him, there is nothing like a colorful Philippine Christmas. He recalls: “I used to do Christmas caroling at rich peoples’ houses first and dress up with my new pair of shoes and clothes! I miss going door to door asking for piso around my neighborhood. Those were the happiest days for me.”
To him, an ideal Christmas is still spending it with all members of his family. “I miss the noche buenas and the array of food my mom used to cook in Tanay, Rizal. I miss them so much; I wish I can spend Christmas with them this year,” he says.
The Espiritus had lived in New Orleans for 16 years. But two years before his La Scala debut in 2007, the tenor’s family home in Chalmette, Louisiana was destroyed by hurricane Katrina, forcing them to move to Phoenix, Arizona.
Born in Morong, Rizal, and raised in Tanay, Rizal, with four brothers and two sisters, Espiritu’s father sold fire extinguishers for a living while his mother was a secretary at the Philippine Constabulary before they migrated to the United States.
Update, Aug. 15: Arthur Espiritu was fantastic last night at the Viva Bel Canto concert. His voice has a pristine quality and he moves with certain savvy. It’s such a joy listening and watching him on stage.
One of the rare times that the Philamlife theater was full. Thanks to Klassikal Music Foundation (Donald Yang), ROS Music Center (Rey Sison) and Pablo Tariman for an evening of fine music.
Lovers of classical music should not miss “Viva Bel Canto” on Aug. 14, 8 pm at the Philamlife Auditorium on U.N. Avenue, Manila.
Viva bel canto
It features Arthur Espiritu, the first Filipino tenor to perform at La Scala di Milan since 1928. Before him in 1928, Filipino bass baritone Jose Mossessgeld- Santiago performed at the hallowed La Scala the role of Sparafucile in Mefistofele.
Espiritu is visiting the Philippines and it would be a rare opportunity for Filipino music lovers to enjoy his performance.
At a pre-concert press conference at the Mandarin Hotel, Arthur mesmerized newsmen with a few numbers together with soprano Rochelle Gerodias and pianist Najib Ismail, who will be performing with him in this Saturday’s Philippine debut.
The expected question was “How was it performing in La Scala?” where even musical greats experienced being booed (Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti) by a demanding audience.
I try not to miss the national day celebration of Italy because the embassy here always comes up with something creative that showcases the magnificent Italian culture.
Under the energetic Ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele, receptions are not confined to hotels. Last year, it was held at the Metropolitan Museum which at that time had a superb exhibits of old maps. Guests had the pleasure of viewing the maps while having cocktails.
They had a recipe book of Italian dishes and a directory of Italian restaurants in Metro Manila.. Then there was the concert of music by Italian composers.
