Cover 'The resolution of the puzzles' from the second act of the opera by Giacomo Puccini on libretto by Giuseppe Adamie Renato Simoni. The Puccini opera was given for the first time at the Teatro della Scala in Milan on April 25, 1926. Chromos Liebig figurine #3 'Turandot' series, Italy 1939. (Photo by Fototeca Gilardi/Getty Images).
'The resolution of the puzzles' from the second act of the opera by Giacomo Puccini on libretto by Giuseppe Adamie Renato Simoni. The Puccini opera was given for the first time at the Teatro della Scala in Milan on April 25, 1926. Chromos Liebig figurine #3 'Turandot' series, Italy 1939. (Photo by Fototeca Gilardi/Getty Images).
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Catch the monumental Giacomo Puccini opera before the Cultural Center of the Philippines temporarily closes for its renovations! Here's what you need to know about the much-anticipated production
One of Giacomo Puccini's acclaimed operas is going to be staged in the Philippines by some of the country's finest musicians, opera singers, and dancers. With its production scale, expect to be mesmerised in awe as Puccini's grandiose take on the pomp and pageantry of Ancient China unfold in your very eyes.
Turandot, the three-act opera posthumously finished by Franco Alfano in 1926, is a grand opera that commands dazzling spectacle for the stage. Its beloved song "Nessun Dorma" reached popularity after Luciano Pavarotti sang it in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, making it the most popular tenor aria even up to this day. Set in China, it follows the story of the cold-hearted Princess Turandot being courted by suitors from all over the world. When Calaf, a prince in hiding, reunited with his father Timur before the execution of the Prince of Persia, Turandot's suitor who failed and was sentenced to death, Calaf became enamoured by Turandot's beauty and announced himself as a suitor. Turandot is a passionate and dramatic opera worth seeing as it is a classic tale of love that is won and cherished after trials and challenges not only externally but also from within.
Above Valentino Favoino, guest conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for the "Turandot" production
Valentino Favoino, guest conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for the "Turandot" production
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The much-anticipated production coincides with the 60th year anniversary of the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) and the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The gala night at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo will be on Friday, December 9 and followed by a matinee show on December 11.
"Presenting Turandot by Puccini would be an appropriate way to further promote Italian arts and culture in the Philippines and in the process raise funds for PIA," Nedy Tantoco of Rustan Group of Companies (RGOC), one of the producers of the show, said in a statement. She added that the production was suggested to her by the Italian ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente, and supported by the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) president Margie Moran-Floirendo.
Read also: The Blessed Life of Imelda Ongsiako-Cojuangco, Founder of the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation
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"Anywhere in the world, it takes a lot of financial resources to mount grand operas. The sets, costumes, the talent fees of artists need a gargantuan budget," Tantoco shares. "I was just lucky to get the support of people who care about arts and culture in the Philippines," she adds.
Together with CCP and RGOC, the production will be co-helmed by the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation Inc, headed by Dr Jaime Laya, and has the Italian embassy as its major sponsor. Tantoco thanks other sponsors which include Governor Chavit Singson of LCS Group of Companies, Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation, Alice Eduardo of Sta Elena Construction and Development Corporation, Jose Teodoro K Limcaoco of Bank of the Philippine Islands, Kevin Tan of Alliance Global Group, and arts patron Danny Dolor.
"I am sure Filipino music lovers will enjoy the Puccini opera. The costumes and sets will dazzle them. Plus, the most popular aria in the opera, 'Nessun Dorma', will be heard live accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under the baton of seasoned Italian conductor Valentino Favoino," explains Tantoco.
Read also: Goodbye, Maestro: Conductor Ruggero Barbieri Passes Away
Above Zenaida "Nedy" Tantoco, Rustan Group of Companies
Above Cover by an anonymous illustrator of the score of opera 'Turandot' by Giacomo Puccini, 1926 (Photo by Apic/Getty Images)
Zenaida "Nedy" Tantoco, Rustan Group of Companies
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Aside from the PPO, the production will be made possible by the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Viva Voce Voice Lab, and its principal cast Lilia Lee as Princess Turandot, James Lee as Prince Calaf, Jinsu Lee as Timur, Rochelle Gerodias as Liu, Byeong In Park as Ping, Ivan Nery as Pong, Nomher Nival as Emperor Altoum, and Greg De Leon as Mandarino. Acting as set and costume designer and the overall director is Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, with assistant director Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, and lighting designer Giovanni Pirandello in the team.
"Nedy has been an impresario of opera for some time now," says Moran-Floirendo "It became timely because we are observing the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and the Philippines. Moreover, the presentation will also help improve opera appreciation in the country. An opera like Turandot is one of the most powerful art forms. It combines music, voice, dance, drama, theatre, and storytelling and uses massive sets and costumes. It evokes vivid emotions ranging from joy, love, life, loss, death, anger, and sadness that often leads to tragedy," she continues.
As it takes a village to mount grand operas, Moran-Floirendo shares that she is grateful for Tantoco's support and leadership in this collaboration of CCP and with other sectors and institutions.
Above James Lee who will be portraying Calaf in the CCP production of 'Turandot' has been known internationally for his rendition of "Nessun Dorma"
"Opera was created by a group of Renaissance intellectuals in Florence more than four centuries ago," says Italian Ambassador Clemente. "It is indisputable that the general public still tends to associate the very concept of opera with Italy and the Italian language. For that reason, it is important for an Italian ambassador to strongly support live performances of Italian operas, especially after the long closure of theatres due to the pandemic."
This is not the first time that the esteemed art institution in the country mounted an opera with the PIA and the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation. In fact, just before theatres closed in 2020, they mounted Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor in January of that year.
Read also: A Night at the Opera: 'Lucia di Lammermoor' by Gaetano Donizetti at the CCP
Dr Laya of the said foundation, which was created by the late Imelda Ongsiako-Cojuangco, shares his delight in this renewed partnership by saying, "We are delighted to join hands with PIA and CCP in this endeavour that brings the rarely staged Puccini opera in Manila. It is also a great opportunity to hear distinguished Korean and Filipino singers in one big opera collaboration."
The two-day opera gala is sponsored by LCS Group of Companies, San Miguel Corporation, Sta Elena Construction and Development Corporation, BPI, Danny Dolor and Hilton Manila.
Ticket prices are: orchestra center PHP 6,000 (gala) and PHP 4,000 (matinee); orchestra sides (right and left) at PHP 5,000 (gala) and PHP 3,000 (matinee); balcony center PHP 2,500 (gala) and P1,500.00 (matinee); balcony sides (right and left) PHP 2,500 (gala) and PHP 1,500 (matinee). Tickets are available at the CCP Box Office, Ticketworld, SM Tickets, and Rustan's.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
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Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
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