Two days after the Philippines marked the 158th birthday of National Hero Jose P. Rizal, “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” by the J and S Productions, starts its limited run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on June 21, 2019.
It runs until June 23, 2019.
Based on Rizal’s 1887 classic novel of the same name, “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,” world premiered in 1957, featuring the music and libretto by National Artists Felipe Padilla de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino, respectively.
For this June 2019 run, the Department of Education (DepEd), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), CCP, and the Enrique Zobel Foundation collaborated.
One notable feature of Noli, the Opera is its orchestral arrangements, which were influenced by kundiman and the Western classical music tradition.
Noli broke box office records at the CCP with three sold-out performances last March, which have also prompted this June re-run.
Alongside the opera’s triumphant return to the CCP, is an art exhibit titled “Ang Sampung Pangarap ni Rizal,” which features the artworks of the Pasig Art Club members and other guest artists.
Part of the proceeds of the art exhibit will go to 10 different youth organizations and groups, which include Tanghalang Mandaluyong, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Soup Kitchen of Pasig, Phil-Asia Assistance Foundation, Gota de Leche, Pasig Catholic College Center for Culture and Arts, Sagip Batangpalengke, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, San Pablo Apostol of Tondo Youth Ministry, and Hospicio de San Jose.
“We’re thrilled that our stage production of Felipe Padilla De Leon, and Guillermo Tolentino’s ‘Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,’ which we first produced in New York City in 2013, will be back at the CCP this weekend, which also culminates the 158th birth-anniversary week of Dr. Jose Rizal,” J and S Productions executive producers Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal, said.
Sibal is also the show’s director and set and costume designer.
“Noli Me Tangere, The Opera’ celebrates the timeless work of our national hero and two national artists, as well as the immense talent of our young classical singers and musicians,” the said.
Co-directed with veteran theater director-playwright Jose Jeffrey Camañag, the opera features the 53-piece Noli Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, who will bring to life the opera’s beloved arias such as “Kay Tamis Ng Buhay,” “Awit Ng Gabi Ni Sisa,” “Gising na, O Inang Ko,” and “Sa Lupang Pangako.”
The opera stars Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara), Mheco Manlangit (Maria Clara), Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Ivan Nery (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Joseleo Logdat (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Greg Abelardo de Leon (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Nil’s Flores (Padre Damaso), Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso, Kapitan Tiago), Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago), Allison Cervantes (Sisa), Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa), Miguel Suarez (Basilio), Matteo Teehankee (Basilio), Johann Andra (Basilio), Mia Bolaños (Doña Victorina), Charina Althea Balmores (Sinang), Micah David J. Galang (Andeng), Krissan Manikan-Tan (Tiya Isabel), Rare Jireh Yzel Columna (Victoria), Paul Dominique Galvez (Albino), Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin), Jose Mari Javato (Padre Salvi), Oliver Pineda (Tenyente Guevarra), Timothy Racho (Alferez), Ruzzel Clemeno (Don Filipo), Lorenz Edward Sarondo (Linares), Renz Nathaniel Cruz (Manlilibing), and Airo Saret (Manlilibing).
They are joined by Angeli Benipayo, Cris Go, Eden Lorrice Dumlao, Erielle Fornes, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Kevin Chen, Marifel Motilla, Mavel Bautista, Michael Del Rosario, Neomi Giron, Otepp Billeza, Sheila Gamo, Via Villasin, Ray Justin Cornelio, Courtney Gormley, Grace Pedrocillo, Larian Villamarin, and Marian Maxilom.
Rounding out its creative team are Dingdong Fiel, assistant musical director and pianist; Ronan H. Ferrer, voice coach and choirmaster; Albert Figueras, co-costume designer; Dennis Marasigan, lighting designer; TJ Ramos, sound designer and engineer, and Alan Dela Rama, graphics and video designer.
“Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” tells the timeless story about love, betrayal, and hope set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture, and murder. It follows Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed.
However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo’s agenda.
“Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” paints a clear picture of the so-called “social cancer” that illustrates the rotten system of governance, the illicit way of the church, and the unfavorable trade of the privileged class.
The show is performed with English supertitles.
To buy tickets, call 0915 593 4777, 0947 168 1714, CCP Box Office 02 832 3704/06, or visit https://ticketworld.com.ph/ (Official hashtags: #NoliMeTangereOpera #NoliOpera)
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